The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-11
STEPHEN BAPTIST
HUNG IN B0YDTON,
Expiates the Murder of Old Mr.
Peter Jones.
He CONFESSED HIS GUILT
The Execution Was Quiet and With
out II Crowd-He WAS Not Afraid
TO Die AID Wanted to Know
When all Was Ready.
4E CONFESSED HIS GUILT

BOYDTON, VA, July 1o-Special-The
condemned man, Stephen Baptist, who
murdered Peter Jones. was brought here
early this morning from Petersburg. in
the custody of Sheriff CogbiIi and Deputy
Drum. CHS and placed in jail to nwait the
hour of his execution. The whole party
were up all last night
The Sheriff left Petersburg with the
prisoner about 10 O'Clock last night over
the Seaboard Air Line. but missed the
connection by half an hour at Lacrosse,
where they were to have changed cars for
Boydton by the Southern Railway.
Sheriff CogbIIl hired a conveyance at
Lacrosse and drove through the country,
a distance of nineteen miles. reaching here
about ESQ O'Clock tbs morning
CONFESSED GUILT.
On the way the prisoner told the deputy
sheriff that ne was guilty of the crime
and was ready to die; that ne had nude
his peace with God.
The prisoners brother and nephew reach
ed here yesterday and were out early this
morning on the street.
They doubtless came TO take a final
leave of their kiusman. The prisoner
showed no concern about his fate and has
exhibited wonderful nerve throughout
every trying circumstance he has been
placed in since his arrest.
Shortly after i o'clock the doomed man
was brought out TO the gailows.
THE EXECUTION.
The death trap was sprung at ex-
ac;y two minutes past one O'Clock THIS
afternoon, and Stephen Baptist paid the
penalty OF His crime. che fail was between
six and seven feet
After twelve minutes Dr.. Carter pro-
nounced life extinct. Tt.4 body was al
lowed to hang twenty minutes.
At 10 o'clock this morning the prisoners
brother visited him in his cell. While they
were there the prisoner read the 18th
Chapter of Matthew which chapter. ne
said. his spiritual adviser had referred him
to- and which first caused him to change
his sinful life. He sang the hymn God
be with you till we meet again. lie
warned his brothers against committing
such . crime as he had committed. He
said that he deserved dsath, and that 1t
was right that he suffer for it; that he
had rather be hung than 10 live feeling as
he did; that he would be better off in
death. He stated that he had had two OPP
portunities TO make his escape, but would
not avail himself Of them.
AT PEACE WITH ALL.
He expressed himself as having no bad
feelings toward any one in the world. Rev.
Farrar came with the prisoner from Pc
tersburg He and two other col0red min
=.
and he prayed aloud. After this the min
listers sang AT the Cross.
He told DR.. Carter. physician TO the jail,
that he had no fears and was perfectly
satisfied as to his salvation, and would go
straight to heaven At 1915 Sheriff Cog
bill read him the death warrant Ten min
utes later he was brought out OF his cell
by the Sheriff and Two deputies. The three
coored preachers and the Rev Mr. Hurt,
OF the Baptist Church here, went with the
condemned man on the scaffold.
A portion of the Scriptures was read
hymn was sung. then the Rev. Mr. Hurt
prayed for the soul Of the prisoner. Baptist
was asked il he had anything to say TO
which he replied: Yes. I hope this viii be
a warning TO you all Acknowledging his
crime. he further said he had asked par
don and was forgiven
A SENSATION.
Some sensation was caused when he said:
There is one man in this crowd, whose
name [ will not call who l think, is look
ing at me with a scornful eye. because !
acknowledged the truth" He expressed
the hope that he would meet all beyond the
river He then turned and said, Sheriff
tie the knot" While the Sheriff was ad-
iusting the black cap and slipping the loop
over his neck the ministers sang, Il VIII
meet you on the happy shore
A lull followed. then the prisoner asked
the Sheriff TO let him know when every
thing was ready, Il am not scared, he
| said, "I only want 10 know when every
| thing is ready" Then the end came.