Year: 1868

Execution Of Negro for Arson in North
Cnrolinn-The Condemned Makes Com
fession Of the Crime.


KINsTON n. c., May 20, 1858.


A youthful victim Of the scafrod to-day expated
crime that would scarcely have merted so terrible
and revolving punishment in many other States in
the Union. But North Carolina Of all others is cele-
brated for the summary manner with which crime is
punished, and the state is little remarkable for
its adherence to the more barbarous modes that have
attached to new settlements where lynch law fol-
lowed the commission of deed detrimental to the
good order and peace OF society. No peniten-
tiary, In which criminals could be immured
atone for offences OF deep cast against the laws
OF God and man, has ever been known In the North
State, and the convicted offender was either sum.
marily executed on the scafold If he deserved that
extreme penalty; whipped at the public whipping
post, measure OF eternal degradation, or branded
In the stocks with hot iron, when the crime was
henous enough to be expiated with life upon the
scatfod.


These two latter rclicts ~ barbarism have been
totally abolished since the close Of the war while
reconstruction was i'm progress under the manage
ment OF General Daniel T.. Sickles. who issued an
edict forbddiag such modes OF punishment: and IL
is remarkable fact that this state since that order
promulgated. has been more prolific in exc
cuiions than any other half dozen combined.
some might suppose that the scanold's victims here
were mostly negroes. because or the political pro-
clves OF that unfortunate race since their emanci-
patton; but such Is not the case. Whites rs well
blacks share alike the terrible death penalty and as
the juries here are mixed, impartial though stern
justice Is nleted out 10 all.


THE CRIME


for which the victim to-day suffered the scafYold
is one that under the old laws Of the State pun
ishable with the extreme penalty. Arson destroying
not only property, but sometimes life and always
endangering the latter. had been clearly proven to
have been committed by the condemned some eight
months prior TO this date, and an acc0mplice in the
deed was also sentenced TO be executed to-day. Ex-
ecutiye cemency was, however, applied for In behalf
OF the latter and not without eminent success, for
the Governor reprieyed him, and his fate Is thus


GEORGE wAsHrSeroY.


the condemned, was about eighteen years OF age of
medium height and build, and not by any means a
repulsve or criminal looking negro. His very youth
would have banished the idea that ne could have
perpetrated the crime with which he was CHARGED:
but persistent denial during the trial OF his guilt
where the evidence was so strong impressed many
unfavorably against him. Az the day for the execu.
ton came nearer he became penitent ana was fre-
quently seen engaged IN prayer; and the last night
make his peace with God.


THE GALLOws.


large concourse OF his colored friends male and
female, had assembled to witness the final tragedy
and as the condemned wus led forth to the galiows
surrounded by guard, they pressed eagerly forward
eternity. Many curious and odd expressions escaped
these poor ignorant Africans a. they viewed the con-
ss co e ,ass ssops attached he'd to h neck
m1inisterng spiritual comfort as they neared the
fatal scene.
was looked fof and the condemned did not disap- |
point his numerous audience, for Immediately before
tne death sentence was read George Washington
declared that he alone had committed the crime ne
was about 70 expiate. He said he had made nls
peace with his Maker and was willing to die as the
law had decreed After a few Hnal leavetakings the
death sentence read the fatal drop FELL and soon
the soul OF the condemned man was In eternity. He
was STILL and after hanging twenty minutes life was
declared extinct and the body was cut down. Thus
ended The existence Of misguided and unfortunate
negro. i