The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1910-03-03
LEXINGTON NEGRO HANGED
''COOT" LEVER EXECUTED FOR
ATTEMPT no COMMIT RAPE.
Assailant Of Dutch Fork Farmers
Wife Pays Death Penalty on
the ScaiYOld.

"uS SSO AC8ku Cu01kS On
the Scanold.
Lexington, Feb. 25.-Declaring
that the Judge, jury and solicitor
that tried his case will see their mis-
take In the day Of judgment "Coot''
Lever, who was convicted of attempt
ed rape upon the person of the pref
II wife Of q prominent farmer of the
Dutch Fork, on the first day of last
November, went to his death On the
Elllows to-day. It was 1924 when
Sheriff p. II. Corley commenced the
reading Of the death warrant. At the
conclusion Of this Lever was given
permission to make any statement he
desired. At 1888 the drop was
sprung and IL minutes later his body
Was cut down. Drs. e. P. Derrick
and r. g. Roberts pronounced life
extinct.
Lever, while somewhat nervous,
vas composed to the last and walked
to the gallows without q tremor. He
declared TO Ill callers that he was
ready 70 die, and had no fears Of the
hereafter. He ate . hearty break
tast this morning. but although .
most tempting dinner was offered
him. he refused to eat.
This morning when The News and
Courief correspondent called to zee
1sver he acknowledged his guilt and
repeated the same story he told on
the witness stand at the trial. He
said that . negro doctor, Lem"
Judge. Vas responsible for his crime.
and that he. Judge. would have to
share In the punishment. He said
that II It had not been for Deputy
Ae could get his man in jail several
been permitted to get right with
God.
On the gallows he made the fol-
lowing statement: "Of course, was
in the fault. but ! want all to take
1otice. The Judge, jury and solici-
tor did mo wrong. and they will zee
their mistake on the day Of judg-
msat Ten everybody to meet me in
Heaven. Mr.. Miller and his family
and Sheriff Corley have shore been
nics 10 me. and have treated me
Right. I hope God win bless them
an"
Just after Sheriff Corley had placed
tAs black cap over his forehead Lever
Akea for some preacher to pray for
him. and ct Sheriff Corley's request.
Rev. w. w. Keel, Of the Baptist
Church. came upon the scahold and
offered . fervent prayer for the con-
dsmned man. Thsn the knot vas
thrown. Being tied Lever exclaimed:
"ltb too tight. boss" Just % the
iAeriR was about to announce that
svsFything was ready Lever asked to
y allowed 70 cay Just one more word.
10 aid: TEL our race for Coos
sake TO keep out Of trouble. Tell
svsrybody 70 let this be q warning.
Everybody pray for me. May God
hasss Sheriff Corley, Mr.. Miller and
an.
Lsvsr was hidden good-by BY sher-
- Corley and Deputy Sheriff Miller
and Q second later his body was
danging In the air. He died without
. move. his neck being broken BY
The ian. The body wss cut down and
turned over TO the coroner.
Eaflx this morning the crowds be-
gaA TO pour into town and BY IL
o'clock four or Eve hundred people
had arrived. Everybody was admit
tsd 10 the jail yard. but the actual
hanging vas witnessed by only the
usual number allowed by Law.
House tops, fences and trees we're in
demand, but the utmost quiet pre-
vailed. The husband Of the victim
Of Levers brutal attack witnessed the
hanging. He said that he was salts
ned and was glad that the Law had
been allowed to take tn course.
A day or two ago Lever made q
Win In which he requested that the
amount Of $3.50. which he claimed
that he would get from the Society
Of Sons and Daughters, Of which he
was . member, be equally divided
between his stepmother and his wife.
Story Of tho Crime.
The crime for which Lever paid
tho death penalty on the gallows to
day was one Of the most revolving in
the annals Of the county. On the
hrst day Of last November, while the
husband Of the victim was ploughing
IN . fsld near his home, Lever slipped
up to the house and entered the