The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-01-31
WITHOUT A TREMOR
ROBERT SIMMONS EXECUTED FOR
MURDER OF GEORGE HARRIS.
HIS NECK WAS BROKEN.
WALKED WITH FIRM TREAD TO
THE DEATH CELL.

The Execution Attended by Incl
dents That Made IL the Most Re
markabIe Legal Tragedy in Re-
cent Years-Prince Black, Chief
Spiritual Adviser, for First Time
in His Career, FaItered, and His
Assistant Broke Down at Door of
Death CeII-CoOI and Collected,
Simmons walked Unsupported to
His DOOm-Was Apparently More
UncOncerned Than Any Person
Who witnessed the Hanging.
Attended by incidents that went to-
wards making 1t the most remarkable
execution ever witnessed in the Chat
hanged at 1912 o'clock yesterday
morning for the murder of George
Harris. His neck was broken by the
fall, and death was instantaneous.
The condemned man went to his
death attended by more nerve than
any other man who has been legally
executed in Savannah in recent years.
He was as cool as though he were
walking to his freedom rather than
to his doom. Prince Black who for
several years has been the spiritual
adviser Of prisoners with the death
sentence hanging over them, lost his
usual comDosure in the face of Sim
mons wonderful display of nerve.
Prince Black Broke Down.
The strain was more than the preach
er could stand. and fifteen minutes be-
fore the execution he ceased to take
part in the services, leaving the sing
ing and praying in the hands of Dea-
con Isaac Charlton. Black always de-
livered the final prayer at the door of
the death cell, and he was pulling him
self together for the ordeal.
THAT boy is too powerful in his
feelings" explained Black as he retired
to the end of the corridor. Simmons
was in the meantime praying fervently
and joining in the singing. He was
the most unconcerned person in the
Jail, and the prisoners who were join
ing in the services were very much
more exercised that the man who was
about to face his Maker.
hO DCAays
Simmons had asked that he be ex-
eCuted promptly at 10 o'clock, but the
breaking down of Black caused a de-
lay of several minutes. The services
were conducted at the northern end
of the building, and the death cell is
located at the south end. When the
word was given Simmons walked ral,-
idly to the cell. While he was being
bound at the door he sang in clear
and firm voice. Then Deacon Charlton
gave way to his feelings and the final
prayer was offered by Rev. Black.
Those permitted by law to witness
such executions were overcome by the
scene. Simmons alone of the score of
persons present, was cool and calm.
At no time was it necessary to assist
him in any manner
Snid Good Bye"
When the condemned man walked
into the death cell he turned to those
who had gathered outside and said,
God be with you till we meet again.
In the cell his legs were bound to-
gether, and the rope was adjusted
about his neck. AS the black cap was
being placed over his head he said,
"Goodby boys" The negro seemed
anxious to have the trap sprung, and
displayed absolutely no sign of nerv-
BUSINESS. Unsupported, he StOOQ nrInly
on the false floor of the cell while the
death warrant was read. There was
no swaying of the body no weakening
of the legs, not a single indication of
fear on the part OF the man who was
standing on the brink of death, pa
tently waiting to be dropped into the
great beyond. No one could recall
having ever before witnessed such a
display of nerve.
His Final Words.
After the death warrant had been
read. Simmons was asked if he had
anything to say. Without a break in
his voice he repeated passage that
he had learned while in Jail. For
Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and
the Glory, forever and ever Amen"
he concluded. Amen was the last word
he spoke, and instantly the trap was
sprung, and he shot down into the
cell below a corpse. The acting coro-
ner and three physicians We're present
and when lite was pronounced extinct
the body was cut down and turned
over to relatives for burial. 1t was
taken to Woodsville. Simmons wore a
pair of new tan shoes, and was the
first man ever executed in Chatham