Year: 1874

run particulars Of Bryant's Execu
tfOn.


The principal points in connection witt
the hanging Of Progue Bryant at Pulaski
last Friday have been presented to oul
readers by special telegams, but the full
particulars have not yet been published.


The wagon containing Bryant, Sheriff
Mitchell, Capt. Patterson, jailor of Dayi6I
son county, Rev. Nelson Merry, Pastor OF
the colored Baptist Church in this city, and
Rev. A. III. Newton, Pastor of the colored
Methodist Church at Pulaski, was driven
into the enclosure surrounding the scasiold,
a cleared space being kept open by strong
guard, armed with dOuble-barrelled shot
guns and revOlvers. Bryant leaped from
the wagon to the steps leading to the gal
lows with great uncOncern, and during the
religious exercises which followed he main-
tained his composure until he began ad-
dressing the crowd. He was
neatly dressed in a black suit
with white vest and gloves. His arms
were tied behind him, but his hands were
left free. In his right hand he held aBible,
and rs he took position upon the scaffold
from which he was to take his last look on
earth, he talked coOlly with those about
him, as to the order of exercises, giving no
| evidence whatever that he realized his
awful position.


REV. NELSON MERRY


stepped forward and addressed the crowd.
| He said:


My dear audience, we are assembled here
| to-day under no ordinary circumstances.
| The occasion which brings us together to-
| day, is what sin has brought about in the
world. If il had not been for sin entering
into the world, we never would have had
to die. am here to-day by choice of this
criminal, our brother, to appear on this
gallows with him and see the last of him
in this world, and my business here after
that, is to call your attention from things
of earth to that of eternal judgment, for
We are told that Hafter death, then the
judgment"


Let it be understood that we are here,
not to plead the innocence, or the crime of
this worlds affairs, but to call the sinner to
meet his God in judgment. What is your
life? James, one Of the old Apostles, says
sit is even as vapor that appears for lit
tie time, and then yanisheth away" There
is but step between me and death. Oh,
that each one before me could personally
realize that there is but a step between him
and DEATH Those that trust in their wealth
none of them, can redeem his brother.
Our duty is TO teach men and after that, to
baptize them. l have pointed this brorher
tOthe Lamb Of God, and l had the pleasure
to baptise him unto the name of the Father,
and of the Son and OF the Holy Ghost.


No man present, but this brother, knows


THE HOUR OF HIS DEATH,
but, may be, within twenty-four hours, each
man here may enter another world. We
should all be prepared to die. think
have spoken enough in the open air, as my
voice is hoarse from preaching, and ex-
pect to preach this brothers funeral to-
night.


The speaker then lined the following
hymn, in the singing of which, the last
line Of each verse was repeated. Bryant,
and a large number Of the colored peo-
pie joined in the singing:


Oh, it is awful, and a crime,


To put religion by,


Now is the accepted time,


Tomorrow we may die.


Our hearts grow harder every day,


And more deprayed our mind;


The longer we neglect 10 pray,


The less We are inclined.


Yet sinners triie, young and old,


Until the dying day,


Then they would give the world in gold


To buy but half an hour TO pray.


Oh, then, let Us that would pardon taste,


Let US no longer wait,


For time will soon be past with us,


And death must fix our state.


After the hymn had been sung, he offer
ed the following


PRAYER.


ssOh merciful God! from everlasting to ever
lasting, Thou art God. Thou who rulest and
man from the dust of the earth and breathed
into his nostrils the breath of life. Placing him
in the Garden to be happy, he violated Thy holy
law and brought death and misery TO our land.
We are here to-day account of that sin.
Wilt Thou, oh God of the Universe and God of
justice, wilt thou let Thy presence be with Us to
dav. especially with this one of thy creatures
that is 30 soon 10 be hurried on into eternity.
Give him such faith as the martryS had in DAYS
past and gone, when. for Thy names sake they
were hung at the stake and burned TO death.
Hear our prayers on behalf of this large audi
ence. oh, Jesus, thou son OF David, impress
death and Judgment upon each of their hearts.
Enable those who are 30 careless about the laws
of God and the laws OF man-impreSs this truth
upon them to day, first, TO fear God, for ssthe
fear Of God is the beginning of wisdom" And
now our Father and our God. as i'm Thy presence
we stand, we would ask for thy mercy upon this
Our land and our cOuntry-and especially as
thou hast commanded US to pray for the rulers
and Governors of the land, that they may lead
gOOi and peaceful lives oh Jesus, thou son of
David, may they who art set in authority first
learn to pass laws that are pleasing 10 Thee,
and nav We all look forward TO a meeting where
parting Is no more. Keep US and save ms for
Thy names sake. Amen


Bryant then asked the sheriff how much
time he had, to which the latter responded


'TEN MINUTES"


whereupon the prisoner handed to Rev.

Newton the Bible he had been holding in
his hand, with a request that he would
read the 25th Psalm, which request
was complied with, the prisoner
standing, meanwhile, with folded hands,
listening intently to the reading.


Bryant then stepped forward and adj
dressed those present, having first requested
Sheriff Mitchell TO stop him if he found he
was exceeding his time. He had stated in
prison that he was going to make a state
ment on the gallows, that any one could
hear, and had intimated that he would say
some startling things; hence considerable
interest was manifested in his address aside
from that which would naturally be at
tachad to any speech, however trivial,
which might be made by one standing on
the brink of eternity. But no startling
revelations were made. He spoke in a
Clear distinct voice, Out JOWaru Ine close OF
his rambling remarks grew quite excited.
lie said:


BRYANT'S Address.


IL am now on the stage of having my
life redeemed from me. / am glad | have
got the privilege of explaining my case.
want 10 say to you all that am condemned
to death, but have defense, and / want
you to understand me. Those that have
feeling against ME for thai crime that /
have done, hope God may enter into their
souls that they may come to be comforted,
and that they may come to the conclusion
that they are sinners. When they come to
judgment they will know what done and
what it was done for. l am prepared by
my blessed Father to 60 home. (Cries of
Thank Godr Thank Godr by hundreds
of voices).


There are some here who have tried to
take my life, but 1 pray for them| pray
for all my enemies. / hope my enemies
may see they have done me wrong. l am
now going home pretty shortly. Immense
sensation among the colored people present,
many Of whom are crying aloud and wiring
ing their hands.) | am going out Of the
fears of vOur trials and the fears of VOur