The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-28
FOUR HANGED.
Quadruple Execution Takes
Place In Baltimore.

Baltimore, July 2S.-Four negroes. Cor
nelius Gardner, John Myers. Charles James
and Joseph Bryan, were hanged in the
jailyard today. the first three named for
criminally assaulting little Annie Bailey
and Bryan for the murder of Mary Pack,
a woman with whom he had lived The
trap was sprung at 9:4s.
Cornelius Gardner, Charles James and
John Myers were convicted of eriminally
assaulting Annie Bailey, colored, 13 years
of age, at her home in Vine street. The
crime was particularly revolting. It was
committed on April 23 the men We're in
dicted May 1 and found guilty on
June y. On the following day, in pass
ing sentence, Judge Wright dwelt at
length the nature of the charges
against the men and said it would have
been a lasting disgrace to the court had
the jury returned any verdict other than
guilty. He added that he was disposed
to give the prisoners the benefit Of al
doubt. but in this case there was neither
doubt nor extenuatlng circumstances. In
order to thoroughly satisfy himself before
passing sentence. he said he had employ
dependent of the testimony before the
coi1rf and IN find If nossihle some ex+eTn-
ating circumstances. The detective mad
failed to find one circumstance tending 10
lessen the aggravated nature OF the OF
The girl was in her room on the second
floor Of her little home all alone at the
time Of the assault The men men .s...i enteIed
covered the crime and reported 1t to the
police Gardner was found hiding in the
house in a small attic room. He was
covered with dust and dirt and DresenteG
a Woebegone appearance. No trouble was
experienced in locating the other two ana
they We're soon under arrest For time
it was feared the victims injuries would
cause death. She underwent convulsiOu
after CONFUSION. After two weeks OF
suffering. during which the child was un-
conscious most of the time. her strength
returned and she was sufficiently recov-
cred to testify against her assatla1ts-
Joseph Bryan was convicted OF the nuf-
der on April % last of his common law
wife, Mary Pack, colored; Bryan had
lived about six years with the woman
who deserted her husband to take up with
him. They We're both of quarrelsome dis
position and their fights were the talk OF
the neighborhOod of their home, at l28
Rogers avenue. About a week prior to
the murder the woman upbraided Bryan
for not giving her enough money. After
the usual quarrel Mary left the house and
went to live with a friend at 205 South
Dallas street. Bryan did not discover her
Wherea bouts until the day of the murder
when he went to the Dallas street house
and demanded that the woman return to
him some of his clothing which he clafm-
ed she had carried away with her. A
quarrel followed. Bryan claimed that the
woman threatened to kill him and lunge0
at him with a knife with which she had
been peeling potatoes. Bryan overcana
her, took the knife away and deliberately
daughter witnessed her mothers death
Bryan confessed. but said he was drunk
at the time. This was denied by wit
nesses. and the Jury on June 13 rendered
a verdict Of murder in the first degree
after twenty-five minutes deliberation.