The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-09-10
JONES DIES ON GALLONS. Hanging Without Specta-
 cular Features. EXECUTED IN THE JAIL Negro Boy Pays Penalty for a Holiday Murder. pretested His Innocence to the End, ana Was strangled While Pleading for Mercy Few Spectators.


 to be supported by deputy sherins Tony Jones. a negro, who was hanged for the murder of Warren Jones, a ne- gro. went to his death at 12 o'clock yesterday, protesting that he was inno- cent of the crime for which he was con-
 victed.
 Crying aloud to God to have mercy | on his soul, the words were strangied | in the throat of the black man as ms
 body shot through the steel trap door
 a distance of fully eight feet, just after the clocks had struck the noon hour. Within five minutes attending physi- clans said that Tony Jones was dead. The execution took place within the
 walls of the Montgomery County jail and on the gallows erected there some time ago. Few persons were admitted to the jail to witness the hanging and although the streets adjacent to the prison were crowded with negroes, most of them from the rural districts, the tragedy was absolutely devoid of spec tacular features.
 Last Appeal for Clemency. The negro boy-he was 20 years old Twas hopeful to the last that some- thing would happen to avert the ter rible fate ordained by the law. His mother and brother went to the Capitol yesterday morning and pleaded with Governor Cunningham to grant him a respite. The Governor had carefully reviewed the case on Wednesday and had declined to interfere with the sent ence of the court. He could do noth- ing but repeat to the negro mother his memorable decision.
 ToveS epapt his last night in life alone in the steel cage adjacent to the gall lows. Through the bars of the cage he could look out upon the adjusted moose hanging over the terrible trap door through which he was to travel to eternity. He was restless throughout the night and slept very little. Early yesterday morning the con- demned man was transferred to one of the front rooms in the living quarters of the jail on the second floor and over looking Washington Street. conn plete outfit of new clothing, including shoes and underwear had been pro- vided for Jones and when they had
 been donned-his burial outflt-he was visited by Rev. A. J. Stokes, negro pastor of the Columbus Street Baptist
 Church. who has visited him daily since he was condemned to death; Rev. D. w. SdyleS anu RcNs A. II. OI
 the negro Baptist Church and Rev
 Methodist Church. The negro preach
 CTS remained with him until the end and walked with him to the gallows. A few minutes before 12 o'clock Dep uty Sheriffs B. c. Young and S. S. Bel
 ser announced that Jones's time had
 come. and walking on either side of
 him. accompanied by negro preachers, the deputies took the condemned man down the stairway and into the cage department of the jail on the ground floor. where the gallows Is located at
 the extreme northern end of the jail .
 Jones did not falter. His face was that
 of the stoic until he reached the steel
 stairway leading to the trap door. Here his face was drawn and his body quiv-
 cred. His legs were noticeably weak
 and the deputies supported him. Reaching the platform Stokes of
 fered fervent invocation, Jones stand ing with scared face and nervous body. Quickly the deputies tied hands and
 feet and adjusted a black cap over his
 head. shutting out the view forever from his eyes.
 Tragic Moment.
 The negro preacher Stokes. standing
 close by. whispered, Be brave" Then
 the emotion of the condemned negro burst forth.
 'Oh Lord oh God. have mercy" he
 shrieked as his form gave way in a colla pse.
 Have mercy. oh God; have -' sherifeMWaller had pulled the bolt
 which held the steel trap and the
 words were straneled in the throat of the dying negro by the tightening of