Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-08-30

SHERIFF hEARTHWAH.
Upheld to the last by blind ignor-
ance. superb Indifference, an utter
brazenness. or a perfect faith. Asbury
Dixon, the negro murderer, after one or
two convulsive shudders breathed his
last on the gallows at IL .O6 O'Clock this
morning.
After hearty meal, consisting of
Maryland biscuits. beefsteak and lamb
chops, followed by a cigar, he, with
Sheriff Whaley. deputies sheriff Whaley
and Hearthway. the Rev. +. J. Henry,
colored. and special deputy Asher Camp.
bell, walked out to the carriage and were
driven to the gallows about two and a
half miles from town.
A crowd of curious people were met
with all al ong the way. Those who felt
too timid to see man impelled to his
doom. yet who could not resist the de.
almost i'll sight. thronged the roadside
and commented freely upon the prison.
er's bearing. Upon reaching the small
clearing in the woods where the gallows
was erected, the preparations were be-
gun as quietly ana expeditiously as pos
sible. Around the gallows was space
roped off within a radius of about 30 # !.
This was guarded by deputy Sheriff
Dale assisted by special deputies, who
allowed only those with passes to enter
The Rev. Henry went up ON the plat.
form with the prisoner. aud read first
from the Scriptures, from Job, 10Th as
follows:
"For I know that my Rcdecmer Hreth,
and that h. shall stand at he latter dan
upon tie rorfh:
lind ho"gh after my skin ~orms de-
Sfroy this body, yet IN my flesh shah see
God."
Rev Henry then offered a fervent
prayer for the doomed man. ut the close
of which Dixon was asked if he had
anything to say. He said he had. and
then looking out at the vast throng, he
declared that he had no ill., will against
anyone. and was going home where
there was no more pain or sorrow. He
said. II expect you all know what am
here for. and now take warning and
dom drink liquor and don't give trouble
All who are not ready to meet me in
Glory, get ready and will met you
there. Good bye to everybody" Rev
Henry then raised the hymn Nearer
My God to Thee" and Asbury joined in
singing it.
Deputies Sheriff Whaley and Hearth
way fastened TIE straps about Asbury $
knees ankles, and arms aud placed on
him the black robe, which completely
covered him. being tied in ut his ankles
and looking like black bag.
Special deputy George w. Truitt as
sisted i'll arranging TIE rope aud in
adjusting tine Moose about Asbury's
neck; when the prisoner had signified his
readiness Sheriff W4laley cut the rope,
the man dropped and after few CON
vufsive shudders all motion of the body
ceased. When cut down, Doctor q. p.
Jones pronounced life extinct. The
corpse was placed in the coffin by vii
liam Williams the colored underta, 81 /.
and was then taken charge of ! Daniei
III. Lewis, justice of the peace, who in a
IL removed by Mr.. Elijah Shockley S
direction to his farm, wherc at Asbury's
request he was buried by the side of his
first wife who was the mother of his
little son Tema who visited him in the
Jail. The scene there ON Asbury's last
night on earth was most pathetic. Lit.
tie Tema came in again to see him
and seemed mnch Interested in the
singing of hymns and che farewells of
the other prisoners 10 his father, all of
whom came up and shook hands with
him. One of the group paused few
minutes. and said, Brother Dixon. as
your last few hours on earth are draw
ing to close, and You stand on the
verge of the grave, trust that you will
meet some day with all the rest of Us
here in better, brighter land" The
singing was solemn and affecting,
all the prisoners joining in singing
Nearer My God to The, ut l. Prom
ise of God Full Salvation TO Give" aud
Saved by the Blood of the Crucified
One" Asbury joined in the singing
with fcrvor and solemnity unsurpass-
ed by any, and shook hands again as
one and all filed past him.
Then, as all was quieting down and
his friends were about tn leave and take
the child Tema with them. they discov
cred the little fellow fast asleep on his
fathers cot. he was abou. to be awaken
ed and carried out when Dixon said No
boss please leave him" "but Asbury, -
said one, don't you think it will be bet
ter for him to go now-that it will be cas-
Ter for YOU" mo boss. let him stay
it will be hard for him to go now, wax
ened out of his sleep and having to 60