The Canton times., 1902-10-03

mounted the scaffold, and in 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 culver
in his voice, said
i Ladies and Gentlemen-I am up
here this evening for this crime on
me, and | am guilty of the crime. l
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 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 l thank Thee
| with all my heart"
Ready for Execution.
The scene was now becoming one of
appalling interest. All the figures
We're in place for the final event,
which was to usher 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 Timberlake 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 feryent prayer the night be-
fore.
Mr.. Timberlake announced that it
was determined to burn the negro,
and that Harry Henning 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 cheer from the crowd.
Henning mounted the platform and
said: Ladies and gentlemen, 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 one 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 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 one nervous start, as If to
tear himself away from the chains
that bound him to so horrible fate.
1t was to no avail, however, as the
links would not part, and no manner
of tugging 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 witA. every breath, faster
and faster. until he could not speak
out any more, and then only the con-
yulsive working of his face and mouth
could be seen The muscles of his
body twitched and squirmed as though
in million agonies, and as each flame
shot up he would scream out again
and again.
The match was placed to the pile at
lust 3:35 o'clock, and at 3:43 o'clock
he was pronounced dead by those VINO
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 crisp and had
turned white under the fierce heat,
and as 1t c,ept up his body the arms
could be seen to work a little and
cease.
The following is list of the crimes
which Clark confessed he had COM
mitted prior to the murder of Mrs.
whitfield;
Robbed the residence of DIR. 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 postoffice at Greenwood,
Miss. and got about $35 or $40.
Cut two men on the railroad be-
tween Greenwood and Greenyille,
Miss. on an excursion train. After
wards heard that both died.
Robbed the Illinois Central railroad
a. Grenada and got $33.
Robbed tank man below Buck Hill,
Sewers Switch, and got $40. II
Robbed postoffice at Guntown, and
rot $15 or $40.