The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-19
CONFESSED HIS CRIME
HE WAS CALM EVEN TO THE
END.
MADE A SHORT Talk OV TIE sCAff0LO
The Crop 81 at 10; 8 O'c'cck. Ms Neck was
Not Broken, peath Resulted from
Sirargalation. Crime for Which
He Vas Executed.
He Vas Executed.


Chavis, was Yesterday morning taken
from his cell and hanged in the Jail en-
closure. In the fall the rope slipped and
his neck was not broken and it was
thirteen minutes before he was dead.
The execution was private, only the
limited number of persons allowed by
law were admitted.
Rocker faced death cooly and did not
break down even when the awful moose
was put around his neck.
The impending doom did not eeffct his
appetite, for he ate a hearty breakfast
He also slept the latter part Of his last
night.
Yeierday morning good sized crowd
gathered around the jail 10 catch Il last
glimpse of Booker as he was led from
the jail 70 the scaffold.
At $3.50 yesterday morning his spirit
ua advisor, Roy. 4. G.. Davis. pastor OF
the col0rcd Presbyterian church, and
Rev. j. l.. King, colorcd, Of st. Ambrose
Episcopal church, went 10 the cen or rnr
condemned man and held n short reli-
gious services and talked with him rcla-
tive to his crime
They found him every cool. He talked
with them freely and calmly about his
end which was so close at hand. At
the request Of Booker two songs were
sung. They were Lead Kindly Light"
and Come Unto Ne and Rest" These
were Of his own selection. lie stated
that they were his favorites. He told
them that he was satisfied and peaceful
Il In FnIt h., hn1 cp9t1pg1 "A INN
In reply To the question from Rev.
King, why did YOU kill Mahala
Whitc?" Booker said substantially: Il
was engaged to her and She deceived
me- | saw her relation with another
man. She told me couldn't 20 with her
any more. / became enranged. and cot
knowing what | was doing. | went home
and got my gun, went 10 her house
and shot her, | reckon, but | don't re-
member anything from after | got my
gun until | found lnyself in the woods
believing had Shot her. | was so mad
chat ! just didn'tsknow what | was
doing / don't know why | did it now, /
was just mad crazy
Jim said that he was ut peace with
all. He sent twice for the murdered
womans people TO come to SOC him.
that he wanted to talk wiz them ana
beg forgiveness, but they refused to
come.
Booker said. in reply to Il question
from Rev King. that he felt he had
had ii fair trial anil was ready to go;
that he had been dealt justly with by
all.
At 10:7 Sheriff Page and several depu-
tics and the representatives of the press
entered the Jail and proceeded to the
cell of Booker. which was on the upper
tier. north end. Booker was led out
OF his cell and Sheriff Page read his
death warrant AS this was read he
stood with head inclined forward and
his eyes very nearly closed. At the
conclusion of the reading. he was taken.
in charge by two deputies and the pro-
cession filed out and made its way to
the enclosed scaffold in the rear of the
Jail. But before leaving the Jail he
went around and told all the prisoners
good bye. telling them he hoped TO meet
them in Heaven.
He was given seat on The scaffold
while the Rev. Davis, read Il pas
sage Of scripture and offered prayer
Booker knelt during the prayer and>at its
conclusion offered Il short prayer himself
When he arose he was asked by the
sheriff if he desired 10 sag anything.
He looked the small assembly in the
face with II look of calm resignation and
made Il very brief talk, without the least
trcmor in his voice:
Friends, | am here before You. | did
wrong and / have to pay my life for it.
f.. 40, III = ~, do riutf
and love the Lord. I've prayed to the
Lord and lie heard my prayer l have
been forgiven and I'm saved. | feel that
I'm going to take the train ana fly to
heaven. | want all of you that viii
try~to meet me in heaven to raise your
hands" Several hands went up. Thank
the Lord said Booker
Sheriff Page and his deputies shook
hands and told him goodbye.
The cap and moose were then adjusted
and in moment. 1919 O'Clock, he was
dropped into eternity. There was no
struggle although the moose slipped to
the back Of his neck. His neck was
not broken and he died from stranGula-
ton. 1t was thirteen minutes before
he was pronounced dead. The body was
not cut down till five minutes later,
however The body was placed in
rough coffin and taken to the Parish
Grove for burial.
Booker was hung for the killing of his
sweetheart. Mahala White. which oc-
Cured ON August Doth, 1886. 1t was II
Il most brutal murder and was pcrpe-
trated on account of jealousy. He de-
ibcratcly shot the hack of the womanS
head off. He made his escape after
committing the crime, but was appre-
hcndcd sometime afterwards.