Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1911-07-01
BLACKBURN FIRM
 10 THE LAST Murderer of John and Mary Gordon Hanged By Sher-
 if Brewster.
[RvARD v1cropusA ATE GOOD BREAKFAST
Will Clay, Whom He Accused, Sees Blackburn Die on ScaffOld--
 His Neck Was Broken.

Jack Blackburn, the negro who was hanged yesterday morning by Sheriff Edgar Brewster for the mur- der of his uncle and aunt, John and Maly Gordon, at Moscow, this coun- ty, last February, was a man of iron nerve. He died game and kept his promise that he would never con-. fess to a double crime, which, he said he did not commit, but in which he admitted from the very first that he was implicated, in that he induc- ed the old negroes to leave their home on the night of the tragedy to he murdered Will Clay, the negro who Blackburn charged with doing the shooting and will Swindle, another negro, who was arrested with Clay and Blackburn, but who wkre exhonerated at the preliminary hdhring and also before the grand july, witnessed the execution.
 The hanging was complete suc- .eEs from a hangman's standpoint. BlAekkburn dropped through the trap dodr at exactly 6:06 A. M. and his no(k was broken. The body was left hanging eleven minutes, but life wal pronounced extinct by several phHicians at 6:14. Blackburn ligh weight is believed to have pre- venhd Quicker death. After his bodl was hanging three minutes it wrided and the knees were drawn up, but fell instantly. Sheriff Brewster read tn; death sentence to Bladburn and it had absolutely no effee on him, the condemned man maintaining that same composure that has characterized his actions since the day he was sentenced by Judg, Grace The hanging was pre- ceded by mass in the negro's cell at the ounty iatl, conduc ted on his knees and prayed during the service and kissed the crucifix several times On tlf scaffold he repeated prayer, said. ly Father Pierce, and only when he was kissing the crucifix, before the black cap was placed over lis head, did he display any nervou hess. Then his lips quivered, but hi muscles remained firm.
 Blacburn spent his last night reading the Bible. After mass he I,, L; of ham , eggs atl coffee, ordered at his re- quest While eating his breakfast he rem rked that he would go be- fore his Maker with full stomach" and he lid for he ate heartily, leav- ing onll some fried potatoes, which accompaied the dishes. He turned to Sherit Brewster, who was stand ing on he outside eff his cell wait ing for Jim to finish his meal, and said: M. Brewster, you're mighty fine looking man to have to kill me. Mir. iBre rewster assured Blackburn that he was only doing his sworn duty and Blackburn said he would (forgive him, that be bore no ill will against any man. T will pray for Nu," said Blackburn to the big hearted Sheriff. ''You have been mighty god to me and treated me we'll"
 Finishing his meal Blackburn took a light drink of wine, walked from his cell andlp9ked out his hands for the handcufk. He was neatly dress ed in a neN suit of clothes, patent leather shoeA and neat linens. Be- fore leaving the jail he asked for match, pulled fine cigar from his pocket and smoked it as he rolled away in an automobile, in company of sheriff Brewster, Deputy Sheliffs Green and Williams and Graphic representative. On the way to the scaffold, followed by witnesses and officers in vehicles of all kinds and on horses, Blackburn did not utter a word. Arriving at the scaffold Blackburn walked upon it as though he was going to picnic. He pick ed up the rope, examined the moose
 and n'enlarked that ,the rope was alright While Saiting for Father