The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-04-02
RAPIST WILL Be HANGED.
julius Gibbes Convicted in Flor
ence Monday Fixed
for April 25th.

Florence, March 31.-Today marked
a triumph for law in Florence county.
julius Gibbes, in court, was pro-
nounced guilty of ravishing Mrs.
Daisy Lee Haynes, a respectable white
woman. and was sentenced to hang on
April %.
When the death sentence was p.
nounced the negro collapsed complete
ly and wept like child. Perspiration
in huge drops stood upon his fore
head, and his hands, in fact his whole
body shook like an aspen.
There was an immense crowd in
town for the trial and the court house
from 10 o'clock in the morning till
sunset was packed to the doors.
There was sacrcely breathing space.
It is remarkable that perfect order
prevailed, though there had been
whisperings of rash things. Judge
R. o. Purdy, who was appointed to
preside over the special term, only
once had to reprove the great audi
ence, and that was when they begae
to applaud the finding of the jury.
A word from his honor brought
silence.
Interest in the case was intense.
The presence of every juror sum-
moned is without precedence in Flor
ence, as was the attendance of specta-
tors.
The grand jury was Is minutes in
examining witnesses and finding a
true bill. Judge Purdy's charge was
clear and concise He spoke about
minute, explaining the Indictment
and giving the legal definition Of the
charge. When the prisoner was
brought in, handcufed and escorted
by deputies, the dropping of a pin
could have been heard. During the
trial Gibbs looked dreamy appeared
to be in a sort of stupor.
Mr.. P. A. Wilcox, one of the ablest
lawyers of the State, was appointed
by the court to defend the negro, and
later Mr.. S. W. Shipp, another abl
attorney of the local bar, was request
ed to assist him. Both of these gen.
tlemen accepted the duty which was
necessarily distasteful, and have of
course been highly commended. In
appointing these gentlemen for the
defense Judge Purdy provided the best
counsel obtainable.
Solicitor Jno. S. Wilson conducted
the prosecutioon Four witnesses for
the State were examined. When Mrs.
Haynes, the victim, took the stand,
the court room was cleared of all
except those interested. The evidence
was direct and positive, leaving not a
scintilla Of doubt as to negro's guilt.
Mrs. Haynes identified her assailant
and swore to the commission of the
crime. Sheriff Burch testified to the
negro's confession Of guilt.
The defense introduced no evidence.
They managed the case with tact and
delicacy. It was plain case of fact.
Solicitor Wilson addressed the jury
briefly. He said that it was not usual
for him to address the jury in such
cases but the Importance of this one
demanded that he say something. He
spoke earnestly for 10 minutes, taking
occasion to commend highly the attor-
neys who had undertaken the defense.
Mr.. Wilcox made brief address to
the court Judge Purdy then deliver
ed clear and impartial charge and
the jury retired. Ten minutes after
ward the verdict Of guilty" was
read. and with the pronouncing of the
death sentence a notable case was
ended. 81 gsa @@ag
Mrs. Haynes is not over Is years old.
She is tall and comely and appeared
today very neatly attired. She told
her story quietly and calmly. Three
fourths Of the 800 people in the court
room today were white.