The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-03-04
John H. ROSE AT WILSON
johnson Smiles on the Scaffold Saving
Better Death Than Life I'm
prisonment.
FOSTER TALKS WITH RELIGIOUS FERVoR
Story Of the Crime For Which Johnson and fos-
ter Paid the Death Penalty. Rose Died
For the Murder Of Thomas
Farmer.

Farmer.
Asheville, n. c., Feb. 26-Frank
johnson, alias Dudley johnson, alias
Frank Wilson, white and Der Foster,
co'ored, We're hanged here at 1880 today.
Johnson's neck was broker and he dice
in eighteen minutes. Foster died in
twenty-five minutes by strangulation.
Johnson showed remarkable GOODNESS
and nerve. He smiled on the scaffold
and in conversation shortly before his
death said he preferred hanging to life
imprisonment. To the last he refused to
divulge his real name.
roster talked With religious fervor.
Both men We're baptized yesterday.
Their funeral took place this afternoon.
"A great crowd surrounded the Jail be-
fore and after the execution.
The case of the four Emma burglars
has for the past year been the cause of
Widespread m and argument and
has created much controversy.
The men were tried in the Superior
Court last summer and sentenced to die
BY hanging August 16, 1901. Solicitor j.
Nj. Gudger, Jr., was assisted in the prose-
cution by Frank Carter, Esq. The de-
PENDANTS We're ably represented by Hon.
Thos. Settle, r. NJ. Welk, NJ. w. Brown,
H.. B. Carter and T.. ]. Harkins, Jr.
BY appeal the case vas taken to the
Supreme Court and the decision Of that
body was not made until the oath of De-
cember. The verdict of the Superior
Court was sustained and February 26th
g. I -
e~cution.
The decision that the burglars must
suffer the death penalty brought many
petitions and letters to the Governor and
many citizens saw him personally in an
attempt to have the sentence committed.
Governor Aycock said, however, that he
would not interfere with the decision of
the courts and the law must take its
course.
On last Friday news was received here
that the sentence of two of the burglars,
Gates and Mills, who had had least to do
witt the robbery, had been to
life Imprisonment.
The other two, Johnson and Foster,
paid the penalty OF their crime today
wednesday,
STORY OF CRIME.
On the night of February s, 1901, four
robbers attempted to plumber the post
office at Emma, q village three miles
west of Asheville.
They forced an entrance into the build
ing but we're met by a brave man, who
! resisted their attack and foiled their at
tempt. The four got away with only a
few dollars and a pistol. Within SIX
hours they were captured and the next
no n ~ 1.r,rD in tho county ioi1 Tup
of the men were white and two were ne
groes. The whites were Russell Gates
and Dudley Johnson. The colored boys
Harry Mills and Ben Foster. All We're
young, the oldest not 26. and except
Gates, who was not known here, all bore
bad regulations.
The man who seemed to lead the gang
was Foster. VINO had served for several
years on the chain gang and who had
| escaped a number of times. He had al
ways been unruly on the gang.
Johnson, it is said, was a professional
safe breaker, and had an altogether bad
reputation.
Mills had been in trouble before and
had served a term or two with the chain
gang.
For several weeks daring night attacks
and burglarics had been made on Ashe-
ville's streets and the police were on the
lookout for the perpetrators.
Early on the morning of FEBRUARY 9 the
city was reused by the news of the bur
glary at Emma, and for a time there was
great excitement.
The robbery occurred about 9 o'clock in
D. y. McLellan's store, where the post
office is.
Samuel Alexander, a frail young fellow
- - - ia ;nct o1o-n1 +hc
store for the night, when q call came
from outside. The speaker called that
some one wanted som groceries and
Mr.. Alexander stepped to the door AND
rnlatched it. He was Immediately COW
cred with a pistol by a masked man. who
pushed his way into the store and told
the clerk to obey orders as he valued his
life. A companion robber, also masked
followed and the two johnson and Eos
teri. directed Mr.. Alexander to go to his
room for his revolver. The man obeyeC
and was followed by the two robbers
who, when they had possession OF the
weapon, told Mr.. Alexander to unlock the
postoffice. Upon finding that he had no
the key, they ordered him to unlock the
safe. Mr.. Alexander told him that ne
: Gid not know the combination. one OF
/ the rObbers then drew a knife, threaten
ing to cut his throat if he did not obey
Mr.. Alexander opened the safe at that
and Johnson, laying his revolver down or
the top of it, proceeded to rifle it, while
, Foster kept Mr.. Alexander covered.
Suddenly a slight noise in the back OF
the store. made by a cat, drew the at
| tentiOn of Foster. Mr.. Alexander quick.
! ~ caught up the revolver from the TOT
! of the safe. and turning upon Foster, sho
him in the left side. just below the
heart. Foster fell and Mr.. Alexander