Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-06-09
NEGRO BATTA|LE HANGED
! FOR TERRIBLE CRIME
ConIesses His Guilt and Says That
| He viii Meet His Mother
| Gin Glory.
WALKS TO HIS DOOM uAAlDED
Morbid Crowd Lines theS street as
Military Guard Takes the Prisoner
to Place of Execution-Mob vlo-
Ienee Prevented by Governors
Timely Action in Sending Militia.
Especial to tie Daily rless.)

FREDERICKSBURG. VA. June S.
Gabriel Battaillc was hanged this
morning at 6:1S o'clock.
His neck was immediately broken
by the fall
Battaille was resigned to his fate
anu made no struggle. He conducted
himself with great GOODNESS. smoking
Il cigarette during The reading of the
death warrant and walking onto the
sallows without Il tremor.
He was conducted to the gallows
by Sheriff Owen and there made n
confession of his guilt. He declared
that he had been forgiven and sent
n message to his mother. saying:
Don't grieve for me; hope to meet
you in glory"
At G:1S the trap was let fall.
The distance of the drop was about
six feet. After all interval of four
teen minutes the body was declared
| dead by DR.. Chambers.
Battaille's body was turned over
to the undertaken, MIR. Walker, anu
was shipped TO Richmond to the State
anatomical board.
Military Guards Prisoner.
The military closely guarded the
jail during the night, but no disturb.
ance occurred. The company return
| ed to this city this morning.
.Battalle was taken from the Jail
here yesterday afternoon about five
O'Clock. a crowd OF about 800 peg
pie lined the street leading to the
Jail. The street in front of tile Jail
was so packed with curious humani-
ty that it was necessary 10 send u
guard TO drive them away. People
climbed trees. OIL each others
shoulders. and crowded the windows
of the adjoining houses in the en-
deavor to see the prisoner as he was
brought from the Jail.
When Battaillo appeared, chained to
the arm of Corporal Ruben McGhee.
EXPLANATIONS of pity were heard. for
lie was small, insignificant looking
chap. He wore suit of black and
had white rose in his buttonhole.
He was composed and even smiled 4
little when he saw the crowd.
He Arrives at King George.
The military arrived Mt King George
Courthouse between ten and eleven
o'clock last night, and Battaile was
placed in Jail to await the final act.
The crime for which Gabriel Bat
taille has paid the penalty was Grim
inaly assaulting young white girl
near King George Courthouse Satur
day. April IT,. Battaille, who was
about II years old. was Immediately
arrested and placed in the county
Jail. There were various rumors
that an attempt would be made to
release Battaille By members CT his
own race; also that lynching party
was about to be formed
Sheriff Feared Mob Vionce.
Sheriff II. L. Owen became so anx-
ious for the safety of the prisoner
that he sent request for troops to
the governor and the governor order
cd Company = OF the SEVENTEEN Vir-
ginia Regiment. located here. to pro-
coed at once to the scene. Captain
NJ. b. Rowe. with forty men. left
this city April 80. On arriving at
the courthouse Jail. where the prison.
er was confined, they found every
thing quiet. but Sheriff Owen, fearing
an outbreak. asked that Battaille be
taken TO the jail in this city for safe
keeping. This was done.
May 5 the prisoner was returned
to King George, under military guard,
to stand trial.
No Arguments Made.
On the morning of May 4 jury
was empaneled and the trial proceed
ed, with Judge John E. Mason pre-
siding. AS the prisoner had no coun-