The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-08-23
WALTER BAILEY HANGS
EXECUTED FOR THE MURDER
OF ROBERT HUNTER.
Those Expecting Sensational Scenes
at the Hanging are Disappoint-
ed-Even Bets Made on
Craig and Burns.
Advertiser Bureau,

Advertiser Bureau,
Selma, Aug. p.
Walter Bailey, convicted of the murder
or Robert Hunter. was hanged in the
Dallas County jail at $50 this morning.
The hanging attracted little attention,
only about a dozen white men being at
the Jail at the time of the execution, and
they were reporters and those required
by law to be present Perhaps a half
hundred negroes had gathered on the out
side OF the Jail, brought there by NOR
bid curiosity
1t had been quietly whispered around
for some days that Bailey would have to
be carried to the gallows on account of
his collapsed condition. but those who ex-
pected scene were badly disappointed
Bailey had feigned insanity for a week
or so past and had attempted to starve
himself to death, but as soon as Sheriff
Blackwell learned of this he had his
deputies to force food down Bailey's
throat and he soon began to regain his
strength. He had gotten quite weak
from lack of food before 1t was discover
ed that he was trying to starve himself
to death and on account of this and other
rumors it was expected that some sem
sational features would take place at the
hanging. Sheriff Blackwell had deter
mined that nothing of this sort should
hanging as quiet as possible.
Bailey was very nervous and excited
when he went to the tower and had to
be steadied a little after he was put on
the gallows, but this was all that &C.
CURED that might be considered out OF
the ordinary. No time was lost by
Sheriff Blackwell and his deputies, how
ever. and in an incredibly short time
after the man reached the tower the trap
was sprung and his soul was hurled into
eternity. Bailey's two brothers were
there and the body was turned over to
them and was shipped to his old home,
Crumptonia, where it will be buried.
Bailey was hanged for the killing of
another negro, Robert Hunter. near Orr
vile, about two years ago. The evidence
against Bailey was all circumstantial, but
the chain was unbroken. He had able
counsel to defend him and the case was
taken to the Supreme Court. but that
tribunal sustained the lower court and
declared that the conviction was found
according to law. Bailey slipped up to
the house of his victim on the night of
the murder. stuck his gun thrugh a crack
in the log cabin and sent a load of lead
into the body of his victim, producing
instant death. The murder was COM
mitted in order that he might marry his
victims wife.
Bailey made a desperate attempt &c
escape at the time he was convicted but
| was overpowered in the court room by
| several citizens and deputies and was
placed back in the prisoners dock. Since
then he has feigned insanity at different
times. but all to no effect
This is the third legal hanging In Dali
| las in ten years and 1t Is thought that
| 1t will have a very salutary effect on the
lawless element of the negro race. The
| fact that Sheriff Blackwell robbed the
| hanging of all sensational features. will
| also tend to have depressing effect on
| those emotional negro murderers who
| think the surest and straightest route
to heaven Is from the gallows at the end
| of an inch hemp rope.