The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-03-01

both reputed ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
itself to human vision.
AN AFFECTIONATE FAREWELL.
label beheld the face OF a loved one
for the last time yesterday morning
about 8 o'clock. At this hour he bid
farewell to his aged mother and one If
his sisters, Mrs. F. D. Martin, of White
Vile. His other sisters-two in num-
ber-could not nerve themselves suth-
GENTLY to undergo such a trying ordeal,
but to the old mother. whose hair Is
doubly grayed by age and sorrow. the
longing to be with that son-her boy
though black his conscience-conQuer-
ed all fear Of anguish. Accompanied
by her daughter, Mrs. Martin, and
under the personal guard of Sheriff
Butler she visited label in his cell.
A PATHETIC SCENE
No imagination a picture the
touching nature Of the scene. In the
gloomy corridor stood weeping, pray
ing women and pressed close to the
bars of the cell a white face. Jahel
remained composed throughout the
scene and assured his mother and sis
ter hat he was prepared to meet his
God.
THROUGH PRISON BARS.
But even the forced courage of a
mothers great love could no make
Mrs. Register kiss the pallid face Of
her son through prison bars. The con
temptation was horrible, so with Il
frenZied grasp of the hand and a part
ing prayer she went sobbing away.
Keyed up almost to a state Of frenzy
| Mrs. Martin kissed her brother and,
sobbing followed her mother.
A HOME OF DARKNESS
From the Jail back to a little house
| of sorrow near Vineland depot the two
| weeping Rachels went; there to pray,
n pray. n pray.
ACCEPTED METHODIST FAITH.
Yesterday afternoon as the sun cast
its rays into labels cell for the las.
time. as it sank to rest. the condemned
man accepted religion, He was hap
| tiZed in the Methodist faith by Revs.
]. T. Draper and c.. w. Smith n from
tina moment until the last composure
settled upon him.
SLEPT AND ATE WELL
His last night on earth he spent in
sound slumber, but arose just as his
last day light commenced to streak the
eastern sky. He was perfectly calm.
though not bright, and relished a
wholesome breakfast.
PREPARED CAREFULLY.
For his end he prepared himself
"a ILL., III OSoiIlS IA " oAo>A SNNT
uit Then he awaited quietly and pa
tiently the end of his earthly time.
MINISTER'S WITH HIM.
During most of the morning Revs.
J. T. Draper and T. J.. Browning, OF
the Methodist church, and e J. L.
Wooten. of the Baptist church, were
with the condemned man ~fervently
consoling him.
A few minutes before noon Sheriff j
G.. Butler and Deputies C. L. Benton
Buck Tyler. ]. L. Burney, w. A. Ben
ton, A. S. Sesa, and E. w. Fuhr went
to Registers cell, accompanied by a
dozen or more witnesses.
DEATH WARRANT READ.
To Register Sheriff Butler read the
death warrant in an impressive man.
ner with a voice of calmness, but
which trembled occasionally as the
telling of a man who loves his fellow
man and is by them greatly beloved
asserted itself.
THE MARCH TO DOOM.
Then the death march began, led by
Revs. J. T. Draper and S. T. Browning
followed closely by label between
Sheriff Butler and Deputy w. j. Ben
ton.
FIRST SIGHT OF THE GALLONS
AS the procession rounded the north
east corner Of the Jail Register OBJ
tanned the first view of the scaffoid
but he needed not such a vision ant
with steady step and unassisted he as
cended the stairs and sat in a chai1
upon the gallows in sight Of abou
two thousand five hunured people.
PRACTICALLY PUBLIC.
1t was almost impossible to screei
the scene entirely from view, 50 ]
was practically a public hanging, a
Registers head and shoulders were a
all times un-obscured when he Wa
standing.
ON THE SCAFFOLD.
The service on the scaffold was beau
tiful. Rev. Mr.. Draper read seve"a
passages from scripture and Rev. Nh
Browning offered up a fervent prayer
during which label knelt by his chair
!. The SOUL OF A MAN.
Nearer my roc to Thee was sun
at the doomed mans request and huT-
dreds in the crowd sent heavenwar'
the words of the touching anthem.
u AS singing of the hymn commence
labels face showed its first and onl
\ Is to love Children, and roI