SINGULAR SCENE AT AN EXECUTION.

Grey River Argus, Volume VII, Issue 518, 13 May 1869, Page 4

SINGULAR SCENE AT AN EXECUTION.

Aupuslus Holmes, a mulatto, was hanged at Taboro, N. 0., on January 1, for the murder of Matthew King. A correspondent of the New York Herald thus describes the scene at the execution : — "New Year's Day being from time immemorial a holiday with the negroes, large numbers had thronged the town, as well to enjoy themselves and make purchases as to see the 'hangin',' These began to collect in the vicinity of the scaffold at an early hour, and by eleven a.m. a large crowd was massed on the side from which the condemned man was most exposed to the public view. The guard were stationed in regular order around the scaffold; and besides these a large number of persons had been admitted within the jail-yard enclosure. Shortly after lie was seated, Holmes requested that some one would pray for him, and at the suggestion of a party hear the scaffold, as the condemned had embraced the tenets of the Catholic faith, Mr James Mehegan, a very venerable and respected Irish gentleman residing here, was asked to make the desired prayer. This ho did, though a professional Baptist clergyman was present, and as he repeated, with uncovered head, his grey locks shaken by the wind, the Lord's Prayer in all its simple beauty and purity, followed by the Belief and another short prayer, the scene was exceedingly solemn and impressive. But this was not long to remain so. The condemned then asked that somebody would sing a hymn, and asked that Hillard Chapman and his wife (negroes) be sent for. This request was also complied with, but while the messenger was absent a number of other negroes volunteered to sing. Accordingly they came, men and women, climbing over the fences, splashing through the mud, and ascending the scaffold, until at one time, there being ten people upon the drop besides the condemned, fears were entertained that the rope by which it was suspended might give way. One negro woman, who at first spoke calmly enough, became fearfully excited, and broke forth into an uncontrollable fit of religious enthusiasm, which for a while created quite a commotion. Then another religious enthusiast, a male negro 'gave out' a hymn, and invited all, whether inside or outside the enclosure, to come forward and ' jine in de singin',' which invitation many accepted, and the hymn was chanted with all the wildness and fervour peculiar to negroes. Another negro, a preacher, who wag ambitious, and did not wish to be eclipsed, then made a semi-prayer and speech, which, for richness of dialect, and absurdity of English pronunciation, has no equal. Nearly a dozen negro women had meantime ascended the scaffold, and were engaged speaking to the condemned, shaking hands with him, and taking a last farewell. Next followed another hymn, differing little from the one previpusly sung ; and while this was in progress, Mary King, wife of the murdered man, with her child in her arms, came splashing through the mud towards the scaffold. She climbed the steps, and, extending her hand, shook tHat the condemned warmly, and told hjin she forgave him. The scene was quite affecting. Again and again Holmes, evidently unnerved, asked if he was forgiven, being assured in the affirmative each lime. He shook, hands with the child, a little girl about six years of age, said that he had killed its father, for which he was sorry, and hoped God and everybody else would forgive him. These curious, though somewhat solemn, scenes ended at the request of the condemned. Mr Phillips, his counsel; read from the scaffold the confession, which was heard by the entire crowd. Thus, instead of a private, this was one of the most public executions ever witnessed, notwithstanding the law to the contrary. It was made an actual exhibition. The scaffold being cleared, the Sheriff informed the condemned that 1 his hour had arrived ; but from the continued excitement of the hour previous he was unable to rise to his feet without quite an effort. The cap was then placed over his head, but he asked that it be removed for an instant to gain another glimpse of the light of heaven. This was done, and it was again replaced, for ever darkening the earthly vision of • Gus Holmes. The rope was then adjusted, and when the knot was placed, the culprit

fairly gave way at the knees, and would have s.nnk upon the drop, but that he was caught. At this juncture the Sheriff, who was somewhat excited, as might be expected under the circumstances, said, 'Hold on, Gus, you won't be hurt,' A negro had to he called on to the platform to support the sinking man, and as he had to stand clear of the drop, Holmes became in a position leaning againat him, entirely , helpless, Ma feet being toward* the front of the drop. The consequence of thin was that when the drop fell the condemned slid off, the knot having worked round to the back of his neck. Strangulation was the result ; the neck was not broken. There was a violent convulsive movement of the lower limbs, lasting for nearly three minutes.. Breathing ceased in seven minutes and a-half, pulsation in twelve minutes, and in twenty minutes life was declared tq be extinot by the attending physicians."