>From the Western Weekly Review June 29, 1849: Execution of John M. Riley – A Gallows scene at Jackson, Tenn. On Friday, 8th June, John M. Riley was hung at Jackson, Madison county, Tenn., for the murder of William Willis. The crowd from all the adjoining counties was immense, and it was with difficulty the official procession of death could pass through. A correspondent of the West Tennessee Whig gives the following particulars: As the murderer took his seat in the little wagon, which was to carry him to the gibbet, the big bell of the courthouse tolled his solemn knell. It was an awful moment! The crowd felt its influence for a shudder passed through their feelings as if the trumpet of Gabriel had sounded in mid-air. A moment previous to the starting of the wagon, a great big fat mulatto wench, fell on her knees by its side, and clasping the wheels in her hands offered the following prayer for the murderer’s soul: “O massa God, let this poor brudder who has no soul to save, whether thou art willing or not, save him from the torment of hell – and by golly, bressed massa God! If you do dis, I tank you thousand times, and ask you no more favors, now nor never more, Amen.” As the cavalcade moved slowly along the streets, two Reverend Ministers of God, in their mission of love to dying man, sat by the murderer’s side, and in kindly voices, breathed upon his heart the words of consolation. They exhorted him to repentance – to that meek repentance that would wash the stain of blood from his hands. They pointed him to the thief on the cross, who had found redemption in the latter hour. All that the men of God could say, to point the erring soul to the blood that washes the stains of guilt from the heart, was said – but still there was found no contrition in this man’s heart. He listened not, for his thoughts were of life and not of death. His eyes wandered to and fro, restless and untamed. With his heart centered on earth, and with not one link of affection binding him to heaven, he died as he had lived, with no more just conceptions of religion, than a hog. On arriving at the gallows, a dark cloud which had previously arose in the West, had overspread the entire firmament with its murky folds – and caused a consternation around. Every thing was now in confusion. As the thick masses of clouds gathered their folds deeper and deeper overhead, the crowd below partook of the character of the disruptive elements above. Nature seemed in convulsions. All was dismay, confusion and consternation! A single blaze of lightning in its gyrations struck a tree near where the gallows was erected, and lighted it up in one sulphurious flame. The rain descended in torrents – the vivid lightnings flashed around – the muttering thunder rumbled along the thick fold of clouds, and horror seized upon the hearts of people. The women fell in swoons, and the men trampled upon them as they hurried to and fro, frightened out of their wits. All was confusion and uproar! Trees falling on every side – the thunder roaring overhead and the lightning flashing in their faces, caused in the crowd a panic never before witnessed. Those that were on horses rushed from the place as if old nick were after them. All thought that they saw the devil (perhaps some of them did) – and those that did not leave, staid there from a physical inability to get away – for they were too much frightened to leave. One man, a doctor by profession, rushed from the place leaving his horse behind with bear-head (for the wind had blown off his hat) he took the big road to Jackson, and never stopped until on the edge of town, he met an acquaintance who asked what was the matter. He answered “hell is to play.” And hurried on faster than the wind that was following him in the rear. Another man, a very respectable citizen of the town, in his fright, took, in his eagerness to get home, the wrong end of the road, and never discovered his mistake, until he arrived at the bridge across the river. After the rain had subsided, and the storm had entirely passed away, the murderer was executed in the presence of the crowd. It was a solemn hour to a few, and long no doubt will the occasion be remembered by them with pain and regret. The great mass however dispersed, as they had come to the place, acting as if they had no souls to be saved, and none to be damned. Have you reader, or any body else ever seen a woman dressed in thin clothes after a hard shower of rain? The sight is not more outre than it is ridiculous? Many a poor one was seen on that day in this plight. The day having been warm all went (at least those that did go) to the hanging, dressed in their thinest, and many of them in white muslin. The rain came pouring down in torrents – and all of them got wringing wet, and how do you suppose they looked? Guess? Will you? It is impossible for the pen to tell, and the imagination of the reader must supply what is wanting in the description. Laurel Baty [I think this murder occurred in Henderson County]