"The Carolina Spartan" May 19, 1880 THE EXECUTION OF THOMAS WHITE Pet HAWKINS, a colored young man was shot on Church Street a few feet from the front door of Byrd's bar-room. The Coroner's investigation was sufficient to cause the arrest of Thomas WHITE, a white man of medium size about 28 years of age and a native of this County. He was imprisoned and kept in jail until the March term of the Court, Judge WALLACE presiding. A good and true Jury, after the best defense that could be made, found Thomas WHITE guilty of the murder of Pet HAWKINS. Judge WALLACE sentenced him to be hanged the 23rd of last April. Owing to certain representations made to the Governor he reprieved him until Friday the 14th instant. During these three weeks, Mr. James H. BRYCE, one of his attorneys has been working very earnestly for a commutation of the sentence. Not a single fact could be elicited which was not known to the lawyers at the trial. There being no hope in that direction, Mr. BRYCE got an order for a Court to examine him as to his soundness of mind. Some members of his family had been declared insane and various and vague rumors were in circulation concerning WHITE's sanity. Doctors RUSSELL and MEANS made the examination. Various witnesses were called up, but in all the evidence given there was none at all showing him to have been insane at any time. The decision of this court de lunatico inquirendo was adverse to WHITE. This was the only and last hope. In the afternoon of the 22nd of April we called on him at the jail. He talked very freely with us in his presence of two deputies. Notes were taken at the time and written out that night in full. Next morning WHITE sent for us again. We found him kneeling on the floor with his head in his mother's lap, and he was holding her hand in his. We asked him if he wished to make any change in, or addition to the statements made the evening before. He requested that the notes be read. This was done, and he made only one erasure, and this showed a tender respect for his mother. Very soon after this interview, the reprieve came, and we saw WHITE no more until last Friday morning. He looked more cheerful and lively than he did three weeks ago. He said the same statement made then was what he would make now. He talked quite freely, and seemed anxious to prolong the conversation. We make the following extracts from his statement, which was made the 22nd of April when he fully expected to be hanged the next day at 12 o'clock. "I have no hope of living after tomorrow. Whiskey is the leading thing that brought me to this. I have not been a regular drinker, only getting drunk by spells. My last words to all men, and especially to young men, is to let whiskey alone. Never drink-keep out of bad company-don't be wicked-it's just as easy to be good as be wicked. That day I came to Spartanburg, I was in bad company. If I had been with good people, I would not be here now. I would have been free now. Don't recollect much that night; recollect pretty well till about the time they lighted the lamps. Was pretty drunk. Never was drunk in town before. Would not have been drunk that night if it had not been for the persons I was with. I feel contented as to my soul; think my sins have been pardoned. Never prayed before I came to jail. Went to church when a boy. My mother always fixed me up to go. When I got larger I quit that and went into mischief. Had no education. Never learned to read and write until I came to jail. A Negro boy taught me here. He showed me how to write, and I make my letters just as he showed me. Sometimes I would not know how to write a word and then I would hunt in my Testament until I found it. I had to write very slowly. Sometimes it would take me all day to write a letter to my mother. I can't read any body's writing but my own. I feel that to-morrow I can trust my Saviour. I have no distinct recollection of shooting Pet HAWKINS. Don't know whether he is the same fellow they showed me in Byrd's Bar-room or not. Negroes were in there and Byrd accused them of stealing his liquor. I went to College about sunset or before and came back. Then I drunk more. I don't recollect going back a second time. Have a sort of recollection that two persons, I think black ones, helped me across the bridge. Did not have a pistol with me. Mine was broken; there was no cylinder rod in it, and it was empty. I left it at College. It would not shoot. I have been treated very well, except my people were not permitted to see me, but I forgive everybody, and have nothing against any person. The preachers have been very kind to come and see me. I have slept well since last Sunday was a week ago. I have felt more contented since then. At night I would read in my Testament and Prayer book until I got tired. Then I would fix my lamp, and lie down and read until I dropped off to sleep, and I have slept very well." This conversation was not carried on as reported: Many questions were asked and he reported many things several times. We have given his answers without questions. Last Friday morning he asked to be shaved, and when his hands were secured, this was done. He seemed remarkably lively and cheerful under the operation and when the job was finished he laughed and said he was the best looking man in the crowd. He seemed quite resigned to his fate, but averred his innocence. Between the hours of 11 and 12 he was conducted**** the gallows ***** [wrinkle] was built in a stable in the jail yard. The grounds were guarded so that none but those entitled to be present could see the execution. Two or three hundred persons were hanging around in the street outside. From the jail to the gallows his step was firm and elastic. He scrutinized closely the trap and the rope and everything about the gallows. A deputy adjusted the rope. Sheriff THOMPSON was examining it to see if it was all right. In pulling it there was some pressure on WHITE's neck, and he said; "Don't choke me before the time comes to hang me." He then talked nearly half an hour, repeating many things in the above statement. He maintained his innocence, and said that if he did kill Pet HAWKINS he was induced to do it while in a state of intoxication, and the blame should rest on another. He asked for an absent brother, and bid farewell to his mother. "Do not take it hard; do not worry; if I had justice I would not be here with a rope around my neck. When I leave this world I hope to be in a better one." Eight minutes after 12 o'clock the prop was knocked away from the trap by Sheriff THOMPSON. His friends carried his body to Sharon Church near Reidville to bury him. This ended the sad career of the unfortunate Thomas WHITE. Let his terrible fate be a warning to all who are given to sudden outbursts of passion, to all who drink whiskey, and to all who carry pistols. A violent temper, whiskey, and the ever ready pistol brought WHITE to the gallows. Avoid these evils as though he were to rise from the dead and warn you day and night. free post Lisa