The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1905-04-29
VALENTINE HANGED.
Brutal Assault on Mrs. W. G. Hazlip
Legally Avenged.
Black Villains Neck Broken by Fall.
Death Instantaneous-Execu
quiet and Expeditions.


doom. Promptly upon the stroke Of
twelve the trap was sprung and VAL
entine's body swung into space. His
neck was broken by the fall and not
the slightestquiyer was apparent in the
desperado's frame as it dangled at the
end of the rope. Within a few minutes
/ his heart had ceased to beat and life
was extinct. He was cut down at 1920
and the body was turned over to his
relatives, who conveyed it to the home
| of Valentines sister 10 A Bend, from
where the funeral took place this morn
ing.
just prior to the time set for the ex-
ecution, Valentine conversed freely
with the newspaper men and others
gathered around, saying in substance
shat he had made his peace with God
and was confident of being granted
eternal salvation. He was cool and
collected throughout and walked to
the seaffold without any apparent
tremor or fear. Before the black cap
was adjusted and in response to an
inquiry as to whether be had anything
to say, Valentine requested Rev.
Frank Carter, a colored Baptist min
I lister who attended him id his last
hours, to offer a prayer for the re-
pose Of his soul. The prayer was
/ given, the fateful cap was placed over
| Valentines head and amid a solemn
stiffness the sheriff released the lever
that caused the trap to sink from be-
meath the doomed man s feet. Just as
the click of the lever was heard and in
the fraction OF an instant that inter
vened before the trap fell away, VAL
entine was seen to crouch slightly and
was apparently on the verge of losing
the remarkable nerve that had sus-
tanned him up to that time, but not a
sound escaped his lips.
Valentine was baptized at 10 O'Clock
yesterday morning by Revs. Frank
Carter and John Riley. colored
ministers, who afforded him religious
consolation and prepared him for
death. He wore pair Of white
trousers, white shirt, white collar
and tie, white socks. and striped
| sack coat. In statement made few
minutes before be was led from his
cell to the gallows. he expressed his
thanks to Sheriff st. Martin for pro-
teeting him from possible mob
| violence and for the kind treatment he
| had been accorded; to Jailer Lucien
| Acosta and family for numerous
kindnesses shown him during his stay
in prison, and to Revs. Frank Carter
| and John Riley for their efforts in
| his behalf.
Much credit Is due to Sheriff st.
Martin and his able corps of deputies
for the quiet and expeditions manner
in which the execution was conducted.
THE CRIME
for which Valentine was hanged yester-
day was breaking and entering in the
nighttime and committing murder
Gus assault upon Mrs. W. G. Hazlip,
the estimabie wife Of W. C. Hazlip,
well-known local carpenter and build
Ter. The brutal deed was committed
about 4 O'Clock Thursday mornings,
September Is, 1904, and as result of
the negro fend S foul blow Mrs. Haz-
lip will be deprived Of the sight Of her
left eye for the remainder Of her life
Mr.. Hazlip at that time was employed
in Assumption parish and usually was
not home at night, but Wednesday
evening he decided to return as the
next day would be the seventh ami
yersary Of his marriage and he wished
to be with his family on that occasion.
Arriving at home late Mr.. Hazlip
found his wife sleeping with her mother,
Mrs. Augustin Bercegeay, so he
retired to another room. The morn
ing of the crime Mrs. Bereegeay arose
and went into the kitchen to prepare
coffee, leaving open the door which
gives egress from the house to the
kitchen. Shortly afterwards Mrs. Haz-
lip was heard to scream and her hus-
band and mother rushed ia to find !
her bleeding profusely from a severe
wound over the left eye. When the
unfortunate lady recovered sufficiently |
to tell what happened she stated that |
she was awakened by someone coming |
to the bed and lifting the mosquito |
bar. Thinking that it was her mother
with coffee she sat up and stretched |
out her arms, when she was dealt a
terrific blow over the eye with some
blunt instrument. As soon as posi-
BILE Mr.. Hazlip made an investigation
Of the premises and found where the
miscreant had entered the yard by
jumping the fence, the print of his
bare feet being outlined plainly in the
dust. Sheriff S. II. St. Martin and
Chief Deputy E. G. Hanson were mott
led and promptly went to work on
he case. They spoke to Jules Landry,
/ laborer at Bradford & Wild's brick
lard, which is near the scene, and he
stated that he heard screams about 4
o'clock and saw a man wearing blue
Jumper, dark trousers and black hat,
towards the levee. Mrs. John
Bourg told the officers she had seen a
negro wearing blue jumper standing
at the Hazlip gate about O'Clock