The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1901-08-16
CLIO 0OKREspOltDENOH.s
1tBiiiS otInterest From 1,Ais HIS
" s tline. Little CITY.

WI tuis Wook VIII Oe given 10 the eX'
ecution Of jim Harris, or, as he was
called here big JIM at Benuctts
villo Friday last. II was Il clear day
but a hot one. | reached your town
early and found the streets crowded
with people not only from Marlboro
but from Marion, Chesterfield and
large number f.om North Carolina,
who had come, no doubt from the
many reports that had gone out abou,
jim, and wanted to get a last look at
the man who had put the county 10
80 much trouble and expense.
Soon after I got there l was allowed
to see Big jim at his request. heard
him talk great deal but he mover
said anything in my hearing about
his past life. We had been told tina,
he had prepared short writc up O.
bis life, but not a word did ho tel l.
those who were present. He was ask
cd for it by Deputy Hinson just before
the execution and he told him he had
left it with one Of the prisoners. Blu,
after the execution search was made
and we are told no trace Of it could
be found. So, if he wrote one he
must havc at the last torn it up and
misled Deputy Hinson He did how-
ever sometime before give Mr.. Hinson
a sheet Of paper on which some state
mcnts were made showing that lie had
a pretty rough experience du.ing the
time he was away from Marlboro, and
on one occasion came near being killed
by an officer.
| Jim talked freely with those who
were with him to try and show him
how to get forgiveness Tor his awful
crimes. Rev. G. W. Cooper, pastor
of the colored Methodist church, read
at his request tho second chapter OF
Revelation and tho hymn "Show pity
Lord, oh Lord forgive" aud in earnest
prayer ard plain and forciblo language
tried to show this crime hardened
wretch how to approach Just but
Forgiving and Merciful God. On be
ing asked by Il. j. Sawyer, who was
with him nearly all the morning, if
he could believe all these things and
if he felt like he was ready to meet
his God his answer would be 81 am
ready to CO.
He asked me to tell several colored
young men whom he designated by
name, who live in Clio that whiskey
stealing. crap shootings carrying raz
ors and pistols had brought him to
his untimelY end, and to tell them for
him, dying man, to "quit these
things at once"
"Big jim" was no stranger around
Clio, having driven team for the Red
Bluff Mills for nearly year, and until
discharged for cruelty to stock. Not
long after this lie robbed the house OF
Sherman Woodley, Il tenant on NIB
F Moore's place III Adamsville For
this he was sent to the chaingang, and
his history since is known to all. A
robbery first sent him to the chaingang
and and robbery after the murder OF
Capt Carter resulted in his capture
Hc seemed to be worried some as to
what would be done with his body,
but was satisfied when tod tho. an
uncle OF his would be aNiowc,i.to have
ii. Sheriff GreoD and Deputy iIinson
wlro very KIND iill0, AMI lt0ir tbq
| day oi oonviGii0A 10 lbc dayni' oXacu
lion l.r was allowed ihc liberty 81 his
cell, ana 10 visitors Werc permitted io
see him without his consent Ca the
last morning Captain Green furnished
him with a neat new suit, which made
him look q new man.
A few minutes before 10 Sheriff
Green and his assistants came in and
the Sheriff in clear and steady tone
Of voice read the death warrant 10
him. He heard it read without n tre-
NOR and quietly submitted to his
arms being tied behind him. lie told
the prisoners good bye, and with a
firm step marched to the gallows
, which was erected just at the entrance
Of the Jail door. Attol ascending the
platform lie had a short talk with
Frank and Marshall Carter, sous Of
the murdered man. He asked their
forgiveness for killing their father
and SAID that he did not intend to kill
him he only wanted TO got away lie
seemed to be anxious to talk to the
colored b,ys, and did to one or two
who were in the yard MS assistants.
After saying that he had beena rough
boy all his life and telling the crowd
to take warning from him the sheriff
placed the black cap over his face
ard at IL o'clock he cut the rope with
the axe that the villain used to kill
Capt Carter, The drop fell and the
huge body Of jim Harris slot through
space and stopped with dull thud
when the end Of the rope was reached
| III short while the physicians
present Faisop, Kinney, Jordan and
Woodley pronounced him dead and
his body was turned over to his reIa-
tiyes. Thus closed the career Of as
mean and vilea creature as ever ours.
cd our country with his presence. He
said che was ready" On that score !
have nothing to say. His life and its
fearful ending we think should be a
warning to all those who engage in
any Of the things he warned them
against, tho whitce as we'll as the colt
or ed.
No news in our country. There is a
case or two Of Jaundice in town.
Our pastor Rev Dent is coniiucd to
the house with "risings" but Rev. w
| ID DoI. .C n. =. l.