The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-29

uluE l Know.
At 11:54 o'clock the doomed man left
his cell, which was in the second story
of the jail, and r~esolutely descended
the steps to the lower floor, thence 20
go tn his death.
ON THE SCAFFOLD.
In the rear Of the Jail stood the scat
fold-rough. but substantial in APP
pearance. The view of this uncouth
and loathsOme structure was cut off
from the street by a high improvised
fence, and a most ungainly door, the
coarse architecture Of which CORE
spOnded exactly to the g~raveness Of
the situation, permitted entrance and
exit from the street. About II o'clock
those granted the right to see the eX-
ecutlon filed into the enclosure, and
~curiOusly eyed the scaffold, regardless
Of the wintry falling rain, descending
fast from a lurid sky. At first the
crowd was n~Onchalant and good ma
turedly jOstled each other about in
their desire to see everything and OBJ
tain a minute inspection Of the bOorish
surroundings. But as time rolled on
and reflection had time to perform it's
proper function the seriousness of the
occasion daWned upon them. Many, no
doubt, wished they had not come, but
theirs was not the courage to retreat.
Others moved restlessly about, and
Outwardly shivered from the dampness
Of the atmosphere and inwardly quak-
ed from meditation of the tragedy SO
soon to be enacted.
In q good many cases
was clearly depicted upon faces, while
some in hopes of shaking off their feel
ing Of dread. attempted to indulge in
Witticisms, which brought forth unnat-
ural and cultural laughs from the
hearers.
At 11:5f o'clock, while everybody was
making disconnected remarks to every
body else in jerky tones, a subdued an
nOuncement ran through the crowd
that Brooks was coming. Immediately
every noise was hushed, and, while a
painful silence prevailed, the OOmed
man emerged from the back door Of
the jail, descended several rickety
wooden steps to the ground, and moved
towards the gallOws a few feet away.
His face was perfectly composed,
and he vigorously puffed away at a
cigar, held tightly between his teeth.
He seemed eager to meet his death
and in hurrying to mount the stairs
to the gallows, he stumbled twice.
Each time he smiled, and was more
cautious in his ascent. With him were
the two cOlOred ministers, Sheriff
Walker, Jailer Holden, Deputy Sheriff
Chas. Gore, and the sheriff's son, Mr..
William Walker. After the party had
SIOupcu themselves OH the platform Oh
the scaffOld, Sheriff Walker slowly
and sOlemnly read the death warrant,
Books listening attentively. Upon
concluding the sheriff asked the con
demned nan if he wished to speak,
and advised him not to make lengthy
talk.
\ smile fitted across BrJOks' face
and in a steady voice he addressed
those present. He said: Il an prepar-
ed to pO The crime ch1rpnI AGAINST
me is Sc and I want you all TO know
it. Let this be a warning to You and
everyone else" and then he continued
to speak about his not fearing death:
that he was prepared to go and meet
his God.
Just as he finished talking he glanc-
ed down among the assemblage and
his eye rested upon an acquaintance.
S%lngularly enough a person bearing
the same name, and he greetingly eX-
claimed, "Howdy do, Mr.. Brooks!'
Rev. Maultsby next read a portion
of the Episcopal burial service. Then
Brooks shook lands with those around
him and f~ervently bid them each good
bye.
The work of securing his arms and
| placing the black cap over his nead
| consumed bat a few minutes, and then
| all but the sheriff quietly left the plat
; form. 1t was at this stage that Brooks
. showed his first and only sign of I'M
easiness. He held out his hands, as
far as his bonds would permit MIN,
| and lOngingly inquired if there was
anyOne he had not told good bye. His
hands only encountered space. and
with a tWitch of despair he drew them
| back close to his side.
Sheriff Walker mex carefully ad-
| justed the rope around Brooks neck
and whispered to him that all was IL
readiness.
JUST BEFORE DEATH.
Good bye, John,' there was a decid,
ed tremOr in Sheriff Walkers voice
as he addressed the bound and muf0e(
figure in front of him.
Good bye, sheriff. pathetically re
, Piled Brooks, and the hands of the
criminal and the stern officer of the
law ClaSped.
Now John" huskily continued ths
sheriff, stand right where you are
and he moved slowly down the step:
to perform a duty which he obligated
to perform when he took his oath OF
office, and for the faithful fulfillmen
Of which he is responsible to His God
All right, sheriff." came the CHEEKY
reply from beneath the dismal fold:
of the black cap, and the figure re
mlained perfectly motionless.
What time is it," asked the sheriff
of a bystander.
Five minutes past twelve O'clock
came the hOarse answer from som
one in the crowd.
There followed a dull thud, as tn
heavy trap door swung from beneath
the firm stand of Brooks; a body shO
downward, to be brought to a Suddel
stop and 81 jerk, and the soul Of a fel
low man had started on it's %journe.
back to the eternal God that gave ii.
DR.. D. /. Watson, county physician
was professionally present, and a
once advanced to the figure. %swingin.
convulsiVely to and fro, to determin,
the arrival of death. For twelve min
utes the figure Wrestled with death an
then life was pronounced extinct
Shortly afterwards the body was Gu
down, placed in a rough coffin, an;
then conveyed to a burying place.
DR.. Watson stated that death wa
due to ~strangulation. the neck no
being broken.
Brooks was a genuine type of tn
negro, being dark of complexion an,
possessing the kinky hair and fla
nose. Among the crowd that We've