The Tupelo journal., 1902-10-03

ACEIO NlUSOu WIN wa PdAACo 1R ~
the rope about his neck, and punched
up from the e with the barrels OF
shotguns. Then Mich Mccain also
mounted the scaffold, and in a loud
voice he announced, "The Ethiopian
wants to say something"
Gibson was stood up on the scat
fold and securely bound to the cross
beams of iron by heavy chains. Then
wire was also wrapped about him and
the iron, and in this condition he was
told to go ahead and make his final
talk. Gibson, speaking with a culver
in his voice, said:
Ladies and Gentlemen am up
here this evening for this crime on
me, and I am guilty of the crime. 1
ask everybody to forgive me If they
can. My heart has been troubled
ever since the death of Mrs. Whitfield,
and | deserve the punishment | am
going to get. Oh, my God, the time
has come and l hope | will be able to
meet you in heaven. oh, God, / have
prayed all night and all day long. /
ask the Lord to be with me on this
stand this evening and / thank Thee
with all my heart"
Ready Tor Execution.
The scene was now becoming one of
appalling interest. All the figures
were in place for the final event,
which was to usher a mans life into
eternity in one of the most heart-rend-
ing ways possible, while thousands of
human beings were standing about
waiting to witness the death agonies.
John Undertake mounted the plat
form beside the negro, and calling for
order, he stated that before the crowd
stood one of the worst daredevils that
ever ~disgraced Alcorn county, and he
knew that all negro men who were
in the crowd of sight-seers would tes-
tify that he was receiving his just re-
ward for the crime he had committed.
He then thanked the negro preacher
who was present at the Jail and made
such a fervent prayer the night be-
fore.
Mr.. Undertake announced that it
was determined to burn the negro,
and that Harry Henning, a brother of
the murdered woman, would set fire
to the immense pile Of wood which
would end the existence of the negro
brute. This announcement was re-
ceived with a cheer from the crowd.
Henning mounted the platform and
said: Ladies and gentlemen, l want
to show you all that l can burn him
with as much cold-blooded nerve as he
murdered my sister," and with that he
touched the match to the pile and
sprung down to the ground.
The sight now beggared description.
1t was n of absolute horror even to
the most cruel. The terrible agony
on the face of the negro cannot be de-
scribed in cold words, and the yet
more horrible cries of agony and fear
were something to be remembered to
ones dying day. 1t was a sight of a
lifetime and one Of those which, when
once seen, can never be forgotten.
Death Agonv of Captive.
AS the flames caught at the pine
wood packed in about his feet, Glib
son gave n v start, as if to
tear himself away from the chains
that bound him to so horrible a fate.
1t vas to no avail, however, as the
links would not part, and no manner
of Juggling on his part would help the
matter any. The action, though, was
involuntary and was caused by mortal
agony.
Victim Prayed Rapidly.
AS the fire came closer and began
to feed on his feet and clothing his
screams and yells were heartrending.
He prayed with every breath, faster
and faster, until he could not speak
out any more, and then only the con-
vulsive working of his face and mouth
could be seen. The muscles of his
body twitched and squirmed as though
in a million agonies, and as each flame
shot up he would scream out again
and again.
The match was placed to the pile at
just 1886 o'clock, Ind at 3:43 o'clock
he was pronounced dead by those who
watched him closely. He had ceased
to move, and the foam was oozing out
of his mouth. The flesh on his lower
limbs was cooked to a crisp and had
turned white under the fierce heat,
and as it c1ept up his body the arms
could be seen to work a little and
cease.
The following is a list of the crimes
mitted prior to the murder of Mrs.
WulIuSlu.
Robbed the residence Of DR.. Hemp
hill at French Camp, Miss, and got
about $1,000.
Robbed the depot agent at Starks-
vile, Miss, and got about $35.
Robbed the p~ostofice at Greenwood,
Miss, and got about $35 or $40.
Cut two men OF the railroad be-
tween Greenwood and Greenville,
Miss, on an excursion train. After
wards heard that both died.
Robbed the Illinois Central railroad
at Grenada and got S33.
Robbed tank man below Buck Hill,
Sewers Switch, and got $40.
Robbed p~ostofice at Guntown, and
got SIS or $40.
Outraged Fannie Vaughan, a negro
woman, at French Camp, Miss, was
put in Jail, escaped and was never
caught again. +
Have stolen everything that l could
get my hands on.