The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-11-18


At Has O'Clock the vast crowd was
stilled as It learned that the march or
death had commenced. Four or dvo
young men near at hand stopped their
ribaldry and a baby not so far away
listened to its n.other's lullaby hushed
IT'S crying and fell asleep.
ON THE FATAL SCENE.
Through a gap in the rope fence the
guard. bristiing with guns. entered and
ili their midst came the two negroes.
Around the throat of each the rope
had already been adjusted The moose
had been drawn tight, though not un-
comfortably so, the knot reposed at its
customary place behind the left ear,
and the other end of each rope was held
b. a guard. Both negroes We're dress
co in black and neatly so. Both wore
hats.
Up to this time neither Sellars or
Brown exhibited a sign Of fear. Both
looked composed-probabiy dazed by
their surroundings. Browns eyes still
royed about.
WE'LL CONTENTED.
From the moment the condemned
men entered the enclosure until the
drop fell Sheriff c. w. Lyon and his
competent assistant, Deputy J. c. Bull
lard, conducted the execution with
precision. They forced themselves to
act cool at every turn regardless Of
their feelings.
ASCENDS THE SCAFF'OUD:
After the guard that accompanied the
prisoners from the Jail had taken places
alongside the others doing picket duty
at the rope fence, the negroes were
OF ldered to ascend the steps of the scat
fold. Both went up slowly and un-
accompanied by a minister AS they
reached the platform it was plainly
evident that, contrary to expectation,
the hitherto stoical Sellars was about
to lose his composure, while the craven
Brown was to present a firm front.
Sellars appeared not to have abandoned
hope until the moment he reached the
platform, while Brown it seemed was
just realizing something he had been
expecting.
BROWN COOL
Brown inquired low, but calmly Of
Deputy Bullard where he was to stand
Upon the trap and upon being pointed
| out the place he at once stood upon
| the spot. Sellars said not a word, but
| falteringly did as he was hidden.
| SHERIFF LYON TO THE CON-
| DEMNED.
As Mr. Forney Thomas fastened the
ropes to the cross-beam over head and
Deputy Bullard securely tied the pris-
cners legs together, Sheriff Lyon spoke
ff, Ia tnll
| was a sad duty and that he had done
ali in his power for them in the past,
So far as protecting them went. To this
statement both SeIlars and Brown
nodded assent and the former COM
menced to cry. The officer then gave
| them an opportunity to speak and Sci
| lars eagerly, as if desiring to hold on
to time as long as possible, asked that
! he be allowed five minutes to address
| the assemblage. This was granted
HIM and he Immediately commenced.
DECLARED HIS INNOCENCE.
| For about two minutes ne addressed
| the crowd between sobs. Almost fran
| tically ne shouted out:
"Pve got to go in a few minutes,
| but glory be to God that am not gull
| ty. There is nothing between me and
| the Savious. You are abo'tt TO see an
innocent man hung. / hope will meet
! you all in heaven. I've only got a few
| minutes more. 1 want to advise all
white and colored people to keep Gut OF
| bad company; keep out OF bad COM
| pany; yes keep out of bad company
| Take nobody to be your friend; no,
| take nobody to be your friend. If /
| had my justice 1 would be as free as
you all are. 1 don't know anythins
| about the crime"
| AT -rhe END Sellars brought up his
speech with a wall and then stood still
| save for a twitching of h ) mouth.
| SPOKE CALMLY.
| Brown spoke only about a minute
| and spoke calmly At first he could
Lot be heard, but upon being tod OF
| this by the sheriff he talked out clear
| and strong. He admonished the people
| not to come to his end, which was az
| awful one; that he was innocent; that
| il he knew who killed Mrs. Packer he
| would tell it; and that they were about
/ tc see a poor, innocent boy hanged. He
also said their fate should be an ex-
| ample.
| SHOOK HANDS WITH THEM.
| AS Brown concluded Sheriff Lyon
| shook hands with them and bid them
| goodbye. AS the black caps wers
| drawn Browns lips could be seen NOV
! ing in prayer. Then someone in the
| rIowd hoilered, Goodbye mis- COM
| pletely un-nerved Sellars and he a.
once commenced to shout wildly
| Goodbye"
1t took two quick blows of the hatchei
in the hands of the sheriff to sever tn.
rope that held the trap, but as quick
in succession as they were the frs
one, with its awful thud, must nave
pierced deep into the heart Of SellarS
lie started to shrek by Ial louder
than before-his last goodbye, but the
fall Of the trap cut the word short am
i. ended in dismal, pathetic wall.
SELLARS NECK BROKEN.