The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1912-06-05
PROUD OF THE HONOR.
Samuel n. Hyde Rejoices Over the
Fame Attached to Being the First
Person Legally Electrocuted in
South CarOlinn.

GerSOn Legally ElectrOcutcd in
South Carolina.
Anderson, June 1T think | am
entitled to be the first person in South
Carolina to go to the electric chair
| am the oldest prisoner under death
sentence in the State" was the declar-
alton made today by Samuel n. Hyde,
the wife murderer, when asked in the
court of sessions by Judge Prince If he
had anything to say why the death
sentence should not be imposed on
him.
Judge Prince told Hyde he was dis
posed to accede to his request, but
that he did not know when the cleo
trio chair would be ready for bust
ness. The contract calls for the in
stallation OF the chair by June 81.
Judge Prince said that there may be
some delay in carrying out the con-
tract. Hyde remarked that he did
not believe there would be any de-
lay, that the chair manufacturers
would certainly live up to their con-
tract. Judge Prince then said to
Hyde that he did not think he (Hyde)
would want to be the one to be ex-
perimented on; that the first execu-
tion might be a bunglesome job. A
smile broke over Hyde's face when
the court used the word "bungle-
some,' and replied that some one had
tn hn m tnI l.
was willing to be that one 81 think
| am entitled to be the first in the
State, and | ask that you give me
this privilege" Judge Prince stated
again that he did not know whether
the chair would be in readiness by
June 2l, and that if he sentenced him
to die at that time there may be
some delay and this would necessi-
tate the imposition of another SEN
tence at the next term of criminal
court.
Hyde inquired II Judge Prince
knew when the first execution al
ready pronounced Will take place
Judge Prince said he did not know
for certain. but that there are several
persons in the State under sentence
to die in the chair. Hyde then said
How about the 2Sth of June? That
is on a Friday"
Fifth OF July the Date.
Judge Prince stated that he would
have to allow for reasonable delay
in putting in the chair. He then pro-
nounced the death sentence, the day
of execution being the fifth of July,
the hour being between 10 O'Clock in
the forenoon and o'clock in the
afternoon
History OF Crime.
On the night of July is, 1911,
Samuel Hyde, who was an engineer
by trade and who was separated from
his wife by her father who claimed
unfaithfulness and bad treatment,
forced an entrance into the house of
w. v Beasley, Mrs. Hyde's father. He
proceeded to the room occupied by
his wife, and as she lay in bed he
opened fire on her with pistol. The
shots caused instant death Mrs
Hydes little sister, who was in bed
with her. was also severely wounded
two balls triking her. Hyde declar-
ed that this was not Intentional HA
then turned to go out the door and
depart AS he was passing through
the door Mr.. Beasley, father of Mrs.
Hyde, who had been awakened by the
shots, appeared in the hall. He
grappled with Hyde. Hyde's pistol
was empty, but he managed to put in
one bullet. He then shot Mr.. Beasley
through the heart, his death also re-
sulting instantly.
Intended to Suicide.
Hyde says he intended to shoot him
SELF but he did not have time as
crowd was gathering. He boltcd ont
of the house by the back window he
entered through, and hid himself i'm
Held of corn near the Orr mill village
lie was near the main road leading TO
the city, and when he saw Sheriff
King coming in his buggy, he emerg-
ed from the field, and called to the
sheriff to stop; that he was the man
he wanted.
When Hydes case was called for
trial last September he entered a plea
of guilty upon his arraignmnt.
Judge Prince, the presiding Judge, re-
fused to accept such plea, and APP
pointed Leon l.. Rice, of the local
bar to defend the prisoner. Monoma-