The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-09
MURDERER PERRY HANGED
SAYS ON THE sCAFFoLD THAT HE
WOULD REPEAT HIS CRIME.

The Law or Georgia, re Says, Convicted Him.
but tho law or Manhood Justified His Act
ia TaEcn from Atlanta 60 the SCENE OF
Execution Beroro Daybroak-His Speech.
ATLANTA. Ga, Sept. s.-Horoce g. Perry. who
was sentenced to death for the murder Of Belly
Lanier. and for whose pardon his wife made a
sensational and Intellectual appeal to Gov. At
kinson about a week ago. was hanged at Decatur
at noon to-day. Pcrry's wife and five young
children were with him in the jail here all last
night.
Perry broke down In bidding Rood.by to his
children. He afterward regained his composure
and made final preparations for his death. He
had selected HIS coffin yesterday and paid in ad-
vance all burial expenses. He declared this
morning that he did not fear to dio and did not
regret tho killing OF Lunier.
Sheriff Austin left Decatur to como and get
Perry at 8 A. NJ. The Sheriff was accompanied
by four deputies, and the party rode In two con-
veyances. They arrived at the Jail here before
daybrcRk, and Perry was told to make ready for
the trip. People who expected to see Perry
leave for Decatur were disappointed, for Sheriff
Austin was determined to avoid publicity as
much as possible. The party left the Jail here
for Decatur at 4:4o o'clock. For several days
the officers who were to make the transfer had
announced that Perry would leave tho Jail just
an hour before the time forthe execution to take
place at Decatur.
Perry vas sleeping when Sheriff Austin and
his denutlcs drove up to the Jail. HI was soon
aroused, and in n few minutes had dressed him
solf and was ready for the drive to Decatur.
Sheriff Austin hnndcuffcd him. and he was then
taken to the hack. The guards took their places
in the wagon and. Perry started to meet hi.
doom. before leaving he shook hands with all
OF the Jail officials. and thanked them for tho
kind treatment he had received at the prison.
The other prisoners in The jail were %slGeping.
until several hours later.
Perry displayed moro nervousness this morn
His hands trembled aud he showed that he did
not have the same control over himself that he
had exhibited SO many times before: he in
sisted, however. that he was not afraid to die,
ana that his only sorrow was at leaving his wife
and little children, and that it was the duty OF
any man TO put out OF life the assailant Of his
wife. He made "A long speech before the black
cap was PLACED over his head. In IT he said:
II shot Belly Lanior because he had dishon-
cred, my wife and brought disgrace upon my
children, l shot him rs any honest man must
treated ms a mad dog and shot down on sight.
II had the deed to do over again ! would re-
peat it. have been convicted by the law Of
justified. have committed no crime. and I
feel that oil good men will applaud my action. -
was surrounded by several thousand excited
men,. When the hanging was over Sheriff
Perry's hanging was witnessed by the father
and mother, of his victim. They arrived early
e9e wntGho9 TS Gst bod ig' OF rart sye wss a aeliyef pe INC no
his relatives and was Immediately taken on the
way to Appalachiee Church, nine miles distant,
where IL was buried this evening. One hundred
and titty men formed an escort, two abreast.
and followed the coffin, which was placed upon
n wagon.
The evidence adduccd at Perry trial showed
that Belly Ianier had informed Pcrry's wife Of
her husbands infatuation for another woman.
This so enraRed Perry that he lay in wait for
him with IL revolver for several days. He was
arrested and gave a promise that he would not
harm Lanier. whom he had charged with as
s%aulting his wife. He was no sooner released
than he sought out I.anier and shot him in the
bnck in cold blood. The jury found him guilty
OF premeditated murder and he was sentenced
TO death.