The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1911-06-01
BAMBERG, S. c., THURSDAY: JUNE 1, 1911.
PAYS DEATH PENALTY.
For Attempted Assault Negro Hang
ed at Spartanburg.

uSdLH peudlIy, W WulCu llS "1o S"iA
fenced on March 26, for attempting
to criminally assault a Well-knoWn
white lady of this city on February
26, Gary Gist, colored, was to-day
hanged in the county jail by Sheriff
w. J. White, of Spartanburg coun-
ty, assisted by Sheriff Poole, of
Greenville; Sheriff Owens, of Lau
rens, and Sheriff, Thomas, of Chero-
kee.
Gist ate heartily last night. He
read the 9th and 10th chapters in
the book of St. Mark. He arose
early this morning and told Jailer
Wilson, who carried him his last
meal, that he was ready to meet his
God. No other person saw him to-
day, except the Rev. R. S. Truesdale,
pastor Central Methodist church,
and the Rev. J. S. Earle, colored
minister, who offered prayer and
spiritual comfort.
Dead in Eleven Minutes.
"A great morbid crowd gathered in
front of the Jail, but few were admit
ted. The death trap was sprung at
Ills, after Gist had stepped on it
without a culver. Passing by the
Rev. Mr.. Truesdale, in the corridor
of the Jail, the pastor said to him:
God bless you, Gary" HE will,
and I am ready to co." the negro re-
piled, and the black cap covered his
face His feet were bound and his
hands were cuffed. The trap fell.
In eleven minutes physicians pro-
nounced him dead. His body was
turned over to his parents for burial.
Before dying Gist gave out the fol-
lowing statement to the press:
"Whiskey brought me to this. I got
my whiskey from Ed Johnson; |
used a pint between IL and 1 o'clock
on that day, and didn't know anything
until l came to the jail. Tell moth
er to meet me in heaven, and all my
relatives to be good. Tell all the
young men, both colored and white,
that my death should be a warning
to them. And that it is best to live
good lives. Goodbye, God bless
everybody.
Gist's Crime.
A wire was received from Gov.
Blease at 10 o'clock stating that as
the young lady upon whose person
the attempt was made refused to
sign the petition for an extension of
time that he could ont interfere.
Gist's mother and father were both
too sick to see him. Gist, it is re-
membered entered the home of a
white woman and pushing her over
and also throwing her 1-year-old in
fant to the floor, was prevented from
accomplishing his purpose only by
her screams, which brought assist
ance. He was captured, after an ex-
citing chase, and placed in the coun-
ty jail, where he has since been con-
fined.
Gov. BIease States Position.
Columbia, May 26.-Gov. Blease
this morning refused finally to inter-
fere with the death sentence imposed
upon Gary Gist the Spartanburg ne
gro who was sentenced to death for
an attack upon white woman in
that city.
Gov. Blease's position in the mat
ter was that the negro had been CIV
en- fair trial and the jury had not
deemed him worthy of any mercy.
For attacks of this kind Gov. Blease
has repeatedly stated his stand. In
his inaugural address he referred to
the matter. A few days ago at the
penitentiary when several negroes,
who are imprisoned for assault upon
white women, approached Gov.
Blease he told them that it was no
use to present any petitions for par
dons in cases of this kind.
In the Gist case overtures had
been made to Gov. Blease by Attor-
ney William MCGOWAN: While out
of the city Thursday more requests
came to Gov. Blease over the wires.
To-day, following conversation
with DR.. Turner, of Spartanburg,
here, Gov. Blease gave out his final
statement to the press to the effect
that he would not Interfere with
the sentence of the court in the Gist
case.
Board Arrests Murray.