Richmond planet., 1897-01-09

NORFOLK, Va. January 5, 1895.
A pail hung over this city last even
ing and to-day, and there was hardly
a person who was not affected bv the
knowledge that too human beings were
to be launched into eternity during
the morning hours.
Any one in the neighborhood of
the grim-lookin1 jail building could
hear the wierd chanting OF hymns all
tbr ugh the solemn hours of the night.
ending only at ~ 30. when the doomed
men sought rest in slumber
THE SONGS OF ZION.
The scene was affecting as the thir
teen inmates of the Jail gave vent TO
re igious feeling The men in the cells
knew that it was for them the last
night on earth, and they called on the
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for his
divine guidance.
The exhibition was too much for the
tender hearted Jsiler Friedman and
he broke down and cried like a child
Not so with Sergeant Lawler, he had
steeled himself IN the determination
to perform an unpleasant duty and
spent the night in his office, prepara-
tory TO the springing of the trap which
THOSE HOURS OF sLUNBER.
William Downing and Charles Will
liams slept from / q m until m.
They were awakened, and bathed
the mselyes Downing had given the
ii officials much trouble, and had
threatened to resist. SO that the off,
GERS would be forced 70 shoot him. he
had been shackled But all of this de-
termination melted away and he
obeyed orders with the same alacl ity
as did his companion, " iiliams
READING THE DEATH WARRANTS.
Sergeant Lswler performed the SOL
emn task of reading the death war
rants at 1880 O'Clock 1t was an affect
ing scene. Not n sound save the sono-
rous reading of the Sergeant broke
the stiffness, and n sigh of relief fol-
lowed the conclusion OF the task
Downing, however was deeply affect
ed. Tears trickled down his chee. 4
and he gave way to passionate weep
ing.
oHAEGK OF FAITH.
Rev. Father Riley (white) and Rev.
Charles Sparks (colUred) were Lhs
spiritual advisers OF the men, but only
the latter went To the galloWs with
them. IL is saic that Downing at the
Iast moment decided not to be Rom
an Catholic and died in the Baptlsi
faith.
The journey from the cells which
they were leaving for the lasS time wal
solemn With measured tread the lIt
tie company wended their way to tn.
a
30 soon TO perform the task Of u doubl,
execution.
NEARING THE DOUBLE oALLows.
Nearer and nearer they drew. Th,
steps were ascend, d and the men were
directed 10 their respective posilon
upon the deadly trap doors. Tn,
nooses which were suspe ended weI,
pulled down and placed around thei
necks. Have you any thing TO say p
was he query.
Williams asked his friends to prA,
for him, while Downing quietly re
mar ked, "Mr. Lawler, let me pray.
he aid SO.
| ADJUSTING THE BLACK CAPS.
At S:l6 a m, the black caps wer
aol olusIed, and the motionless form
stood out in bold relief TO the gaze .
tue spectators in the yard below. Tn
signal was given, the trap was sprung
Two bodies shot through the opening
THROUGH THE oPKN TRAP-DOoR.
Downing quivered. struggled whll
| Williams twisted and turned as thoug
endeAvOring TO break from the rop
which was suspending him between
the heavens and the earth. 1t Was
fearful sight and many turned away
This sight was too awful.
ALL WAS OVER.
For several minutes, this continued
then all was still, the bodies of tn
men swsying to and fro as thouR
tanned by u breeze. The doctors e1
amined the pulses and listened for tn
heart-Deats. 1t was all over and
s :36 the mSn were cut down, Tn
had paid the penalty with their live
Then came the cOroner's Jury, wit
it's rou inc verdict and lastly ther
stood DIR. Maurice OF the Richmon
Medical olIege TO take the corpse ,
William Downing.
THE CLAIMING OF BODY.
Here was again demonstrated tt
signs of the laws OF Virginia, which n,
only claimed the service of the boo
before death, but insisted upon II
! right TO mangle the remains after Ii
WAS extinct
In the flee of the Jail was the fam
Ily of Williams. 1t was q sad scene
they sObbed and cried as though the
hearts would break.
Later, q solemn procession wend,
It's way from the Jail and the remains
Williams were conveyed 10 the cOu
ty in which his people lives where
y will be buried.
The crime for which Charles w
lliams paid the penalty with his life "
one of the most brutal in the histo
OF Norfolk.
~ BIS VICTIM.
- His victim was George Bees, . C
a lored dryer for Hemmingway & brot
a era. oyster packers. The scene of {
,r murder was the schooner Caroline
i which was lying on Hemmingwe
il wharf, in Atlantic City ward. The d
was the night of Friday, April IL, Is
IA On that evening Bess boarded
n schoOner. Shortly afterwatds he v
"A followed By Charles Williams. WI
- happened thereafter will never be p
itively known, but according 10
,. heat information obtaInable, the I
,e ouarreled over q game OF casil
is When williams left the boat in
early hours of saturday morning. 81
n Law in ten feet Of water By the boats
'e with his head split open. The gt
" axe with which the deed was done
- -. eAo HoOk mhfoh Waa red ~