Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-09-16
H|CHWAYMAN HANGED
Noah Finley Met Death on the
Ga|Iows Yesterday,
A LONG LIST OF CRIMES,
He Had Cut, Shot, Stabbed. and
Robbed People.
MADE A FULL CONFESSION
Frankly Admitted HIS WrongsA
Prayed for Forgiveness, and Warm
ed Others to Profit by His Exc
ampIe-Detaiis OF the Executions.

pulaski, VA, September 5.-(Spe-
cial.)-The hanging of Noah Finley for
highway robbery attracted very large
crowd 10 Pulaski to-day. and while they
were not permitted to see the execution
they were allowed to view the remains
afterwards. Before 10 o'clock the thirty
five who were admitted to the executions
room had assembled. They consisted OF
four doctors-namely: DIR. c. T. Peyton.
OF Pulaski; DIR. w. d. Fuqua, of East
Pulaski: DR.. J. ID. Stearnes, OF Dublin.
and Dr. c. G. Carady, OF Roanoke. Be-
sides these and the attendants. twelve
legal witnesses were required and news
paper reporters were admitted.
Promptly at 10 o'clock Deputy-Sherin
and Jailer Ike Carper brought the pris-
oner from the Jail to the execution
room. Rev. James A. Hufford, OF tho
Lutheran church of this place, who was
the minister in attendance, began tho
the Apostles creed. Mr.. Huford then
prayed for the salvation OF the prisoners
soul. and that the execution might have
Statutory effect on the morals OF tho
community. He wound up this petition.
which brought tears to the eyes OF some
listeners. with the Lords prayer, in which
Finley Joined.
THE PRISONER a BAD MAN.
Before coming into the place Of execu-
ton, Finley made a confession, I'm which
he stated that he had cut one mans
throat, shot one and stabbed one; had
served two terms In the penitentiary OF
| three and five years, respectively; had
held up and robbed numbers OF people.
and that while not common thief and
not accustomed TO steal for money. he
loved blood. He also said he had never
| been whipped in battle, and delighted In
being a highwayman. These he said were
not half of HIS crimes and faults. Finley
| made no statement on the scafold, but
prayed continually. While the officials
were placing him on the trap and tying
| his hands and feet, and even after the
| cap was adjusted to his head. he was
heard to pray. As they were fixing him
Mr.. Hufford repeated passages OF Scrip
ture. and Finley said: MY only hope 10
! IN the Scriptures"
WHAT HE PRAYED FOR.
The condemned man Prayed that Coo
would take his spirit, which no commend
| ed to Him, and that his punishment might
be a warning TO al hlghwaymen and to
| all his friends and enemies, and that IL
might deter all who heard OF IL from do
| ing wrong. In his confession he had said
! that while one might rob a man and gee
away, If you did not stop your sins would
| find you out. He advised all who talked
with him to do right
The drop fell clear IL feet at 1910 A.
NJ. and In twelve minutes his heart had
stopped beating. The rope was 3-i-inch
Manila hemp. and did not breeh Finley's
neck. Taylor who was hung m this coun-
ty several years ago, had his neck broken.
but lived eighteen minutes, while tlhey
| lived only twelve.
His body was shown TO the crowd rs
! they flied between rows Of armed guards,
and was then taken 70 the depot and sent
| off at 1855 on the train for Richmond. IL
goes to the Medical College Of Virginia
Perfect order prevailed throughout the
| whole scene.