Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-09-15
The Last Of Williams.

Inc Last OF Williams.
George W. Williams, the negro con-
victed Of outrageous assault upon Miss
Laura Knode near Harper's Ferry,
this county, on June 9th last, was
hanged in the State Penitentiary at
Moundsville last Friday afternoon.
The execution took place in the
death house in one corner of the pris-
on yard, and was witnessed by about
sixty persons. Seventy-fve passes
had been given out, but only 55 of
these were taken up at the prison gate.
Williams went to his death with the
stolidity and indifference of an OK,
and seemingly realized his fate in
about the same degree that dumb
animal might have done. The exc
cution was performed without hitch.
When the visitors were conducted to
the space in front of the scafold,
Williams could be heard singing with
the chaplain and some of the officers
in his cell, which was separated from
the narrow passage by a curtain.
Three guards were standing on the
platform, and in a moment the prison
chaplain, Rev. H. c. Sanford, joined
them. Immediately behind the chap
lain came the condemned man walk
ing between Warden Haddox and
Captain Dawson. He showed no sign
of nervousness and walked unasslsted.
As he mounted the steps leading to the
scafold he said audibly, 81 am going
home to my Saviour. While the
straps were being adjusted about the
mans limbs his lips moved as if in
prayer, and after the cap had been
drawn over his face and while the
chaplain was uttering short prayer
fer mercy, Williams IN an audible tone
Joined in the prayer. AS the minis
ter said amen the trap was thrown
and the man was dangling at the end
of the rope. The trap was sprung at
SIS in the afternoon, and fourteen
minutes later he was pronounced dead
by the physicians present.
Williams last day on earth was I'M
eventful. He slept soundly on Thurs
day Dlght and arose early Fritay
morning. His breakfast was eaten
with as much relish as if he expected
to live for years. He talked with hi,
guard and later in the morning was
Joined by CHAPLAIN Sanford, with
whom he spent the remainder of the
day. Much Of the time was spent in
prayer and scriptural reading. Ed
Hunter and Jesse Briggs, two colored
men who are also under sentence OF
death, were with him part OF the
day. Soon after dinner they lett him
and were removed to one OF the cell
buildings DuIrS the afternoon
Williams was given bath and dressed
in neat suit of black. His last few
hours were spent with the chaplain,
and when the persons who were to
witness his death We're filing into the
death chamber, Williams could be
heard singing revival song, when
the Roll is Called Up Yonder I'll be
There"
The negro was a model prisoner
while confined in the penitentiary. At
no time did he cause the prison Off.
Gals the least trouble. Like nearly
all other condemned men he sought
the consolation of religion. He de-
MED having committed the awful crime,
saying that it was a case of mistaken
id nifty, as the guilty man was one
of party Of tramps and escaped.
Williams was very Ignorant man,
being unable to read or write, but
other prisoners read to him and the
last few days preceding his execution
he spent much of his time with the
chaplain, Rev. Sanford.
Apparently Williams had not a
friend on earth. He said his only
relative was his step-father, who lived
somewhere in Maryland. Nc one
called to see him while he was IN
prison nor was any interest manifest
ed IN his fate by outsiders. No one
even claimed his body, and after the
execution it was shipped to the State
University at Morgantown, to be dis
sected by the students.