The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1922-06-22
THREE MEN ELECTROCUTED
Paid Death Penalty Friday fer Most
Brutal Murder

Cclumbia, June l6.-S. j. Kirby
Jesse Gappins and G. O. Fox were
electrccuted at the ponitentiary thi.
morning shortly after o'ccck 10,
the murder Of William Brazcll, Co.
lumbia taxi-drvcr, near Lecsville CT
the night of August 7, last.
The trio went to their deaths sing
ing, and praying. Kirby went first
end he feigned insanity ana tried tc
get his hands from the straps. Tho
officers tcld him be better take il
easy, but q second time he slipped his
hands from the straps. Then four
guards took hold OF him forccfully
the straps were madJ tighter than
usual and TIE current was sent thru
ms body, the man being deprived
because of contrary behavior, of the
privilege ot making Il last state
ment. Gappins went second and Fox
last, the entire procedure consuming
forty minutes. Fox and Garpins
made last statements in which they
warned young men against bad COM
pany and evil conduct.
The pcnitcntiary officials took the
curious by surprise and staged the
executions at an carly hour instead Of
neon, as is usual. This is the first
time Il white man has been executed
in this state since 1913, and it IS the
first time three men were ever cicc-
trccuted in the State the same day.
Inc three men were convicted last
September IA, 1921, Of the murder Of
William Brazell, Il young taxi driver
CT Columbia. They were first scnren-
ced to dc October 81 but appeals,
which were never perfected caused
nf ,1,I~
fesentcncing necessary.
Obstinate, Relcntant, Humble
Obstinate, repcntant, humblc-theSe
words describe the manner in which
the murder trio event to their deaths
as the sun pccpcd over the penitcn-
tiary walls Friday morning." 1t was
cccl outside, but sweat stood on the
taccs ct many who were at the death
house to see the execution of the
three men whose crime shocked a
state and who sent to an untimclv
grave young Columbian, whose car
they took and whom they killed. to
cover their crime.
Kirby was obstinate. Because he
was not allowed tc make his final
statement TO the audience as he stood
at the entrance CT the death audi
tcrium, he refused to submit peace
fully to the srrapping into ,nc big
chalr, and ctficels were forced to
handle him with force and to dcrl.vc
him cf the privilege Of making his;
last statement.
Garpins prayed as he sat in the
chair. "Stand by me dear Lord in my
last moments on this earth," he began
and then fervently he poured out his
soul fer forgiveness, and the hand
OF the electrician was stayed, as the
young man prayed. But the PRAYER
was finally Cndod when the 1900 volt
current was sent hurtling through his
body.
Warn Young Men.
Beth Gaping and Fox warned
young men aga.nst bad companions
and disregard fer law. Fox was
humble. Good morning, gentleman"
he said q he entered the death cham
her. 81 have vcry little to say, he
muttcrld. Il held nothing against
any che. horc to meet the other
boys in heaven Three ministers
held services with the mon before
they lett their cells. At $50 this
morning tie carta!n Of the guard
read tho death Warrcnt to the men.
At G:l2 the first man was led TO the
chair room, and within fifty minutes
the trirlc execution was ended.
The rrio appeared to have slept we'll
during tic night. a light breakfast
was given the men early in the morn
ing.
There We're nc relatives Of the men
present. Mono cared TO witness the
executions, but later they called at
the prison to make arrangements for
disposition CT the bodies. Local un-
dertahers prepared the bodies for
burial
TIE murder which was rcspitcd this
mcrning was committed during the
night CT August Z, 1921 The trio
engaged the young man to take them
to Lexington. to "scc sCmc girls"
When they get about fifteen miles
from Columbia they blackjackcd the
young driver, their aim being to take
his car and sell it N Florida. The
blackjack broke all they stabbed him
TO death to get away with their plan,
according to their confessions. They
were later arrested in Augusta and
for several days they were chased
thru Georgia and South Carolina by
mob OF men bent On punishment.
CHILDRENS EAY
There will be Childrcn's day at
Law1ence's Chapel the 4th Sunday