Year: 1874

EAsroS, Talbot County, Nd, August 7, 1874


The crime for which Ernest Smith, a colored lad,
about eighteen years Of age, was executed here
to-day, is, in the eye OF Maryland law, more
henous than murder. The law OF this State pro-
vides that the outrage OF white woman by negro
shall be regarded as the highest crime known to
the law. and out Of eight cases that have been
tried In Maryland during the past three years not
one OF the accused has escaped the death penalty.
The story OF the condemned mans onence is the
same told Of the other wretched negroes who have
suffered death for this crime. In this instance
the hend would have added murder to the other
diabolical deed had he not been discovered In
time.


rHR HORRIBLE CRIME.


1t was Sunday, the 10th OF April last, that the
community In and about Trappe, a small town in
Trappe district Talbot county, Maryland. was
thrown into great excitement by the most daring
and villainous outrage ever perpetrated in that
vicinity. Miss Kate Bartlett, about sixteen years
of age, very attractive and prepossessing in ap.
pearance, Is q daughter Of Mr.. James Bartlett, OF
Trappe district She resided with her father,
about two miles from the town OF Trappe. On the
occasion in question she was going TO a Sunday
school held In q church about a mile and
hall from her home. When about half
way on her journey, and near place





for her, emerged from his hiding place, and sezing
MISS Bartlett. fOrctbly dragged her to the road
side and attempted his brutal assault. Though
but eighteen years OF age his great strength and
athletic build made him master Of the girl who,
with all the strength OF her wOmanhood, resisted
desperately the purpose OF her assailant She,
too was stronger than most girls at her time
OF life, and the struggle to free herself from
the grasp Of the black devil completely ex.
hausted her. Smith finally throttled her. threw
her to the ground in the middle Of
the highway and succeeded in accomplish
ing his purpose. In the struggle all the
poor girls underclothing was torn from her
person and injuries inflicted which rendered her
perfectly helpless and unable to move. In the
moment Of triumph two citizens were seen by
Smith short distance down the road, and he
made hts escape without doing further violence to
his victim. When they reached Miss Bartlett and
discovered her terrible condition they secured
help and removed her to her father's house, where
she received proper medical attention.


THE ARREST OF SMITH.


Before mndown the country for miles around
had been apprised Of the crime OF Smith
neighborhood so free from the more grtevous
crimes was doubly outraged at the assault on the
daughter OF an estimable citizen, and all the
feeling OF honor among the descendants OF the



The men turned out en- nsdsse, on horse. in
vehicle and on foot, determined to visit summary
punishment II Smith could be found. Constable
Simpson, hearing OF the crime, and knowing the
Indignation which the report had aroused, was
fearful that lynch law would be enforced. He,
with his posse, was on the alert and toward
evening traced Smith to o coiored meeting house.
where he was arrested. 1t was with the greatest
difficulty the enraged citizens were prevented
from executing him upon the spot, but ultimately
the counsels OF some OF the more conservative In
the community prevailed, and Smith was safely
lodged In Jail in Easton, the county town OF Talbot


THE TRIAL.


At the May term Of the County Court the trial Of
Smith took place, and was very brief. The sullen
nature of the depraved criminal was apparent
throughout. he heard with unconcern the direct
and over whemng evidence which was certain to
result In his strangling on the galiows. The story
OF his victim was corroborated by the two citizens
who saw Smith running away. During the trial
the deepest interest was taken by the citizens OF
the county, and at the recital Of the girls story OF
the prisoners crime only respect for the Court pre-
vented them from hanging Smith before verdict
had been rendered. His counsel saw how hopeless
was the case and not one word could be said in
defence OF their client. the jury were hardly In
their room before a verdict OF guilty was reached,
and on the afternoon Of May 26 that word fell upon
the Indifferent ear>of Ernest Smith which to every
body else meant death. few days after he was
brought into court and


SENTENCED TO BE HANGED,


and from the Court House he was conducted to the
dungeon In JAIL his friends knowing how utterly
hopeless was his case. In Maryland the Court SEN
tences, but the Governor fixes the day of execu-
tion and on the 9th OF June Governor Groome
signed the death warrant of Smith, fixing the 7th
OF August rs the day OF execution.


On the 1st OF July the death warrant was re-
ceived b.. the Sheriff Of Talbot county and the
prisoner brought from bis cell to the Sherirs
apartments, where. in the presence Of a number
OF citizens, the warrant was read.


! Following the reading the Sheriff impressed
upon the condemned the brev1ty OF MS earthly ca
reer and the Importance Of an early and an ear
nest preparation to meet his doom. The Rev. Mr.
Newman, Of the Methodist Church, offered q
prayer In behalf Of the young mans soul. The
plain announcement that on the 7th day Of
| August, before the hour Of two O'Clock, he would
die felons death brought out all there was human
in him and he wept violently for several minutes
this unusual exhibiuon of feeling, however, being
followed BY his accustomed demeanor and look OF
I indifference. Rev. MIR. Newman continued TO visit
him. and Of Smith it be said as OF others Of hts
! race sentenced to DEATH that the gallows has
been to him


THE ROAD TO PARADISE


! He has oflate listened attentivey to the exhor-
tations Of his spiritual adviser and professed that
he had found peace with his Maker and said he
was ready to die. During his imprisonment he was
treated with the utmost kindness BY the Sheriff
and his family and appeared to be grateful for
their consideration Of his wants.


II there is anything the Maryland law abhos It
is private execution, and with the exception Of
Baltimore the gallows Ii always erected In tho
most conspicuous place, on q site where everybody
can have full view OF the whole scene. In this
case 1t was erected on lot belonging to Mr.. Frank
Wright, on the Point road and every facility given
to the populace to witness the execution. To-day
was really holiday throughout the county. for an
execution Is so seldom witnessed in these parts
sidered 1t duty to come to the county seat and