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The State - September 30, 1915 Five Executions at State Prison - Negroes Pay Death Penalty for Murders - Is Record for State A record for legal executions in South Carolina was established yesterday when five negroes were put to death at the State penitentiary for the murder of John Q. Lewis, a confederate veteran from Chester county, and Prentiss Moore and Guy Rogers, two young white boys of Marlboro county. One hour and ten minutes were required to execute the criminals. A dull gray atmosphere enshrouded the skies and the muggy air about the little death chamber indicated what was appropriately termed "suicide weather." A general sigh of relief went up from executioners and prison officials alike when the five bodies, wrapped in their winding sheets, had been 'stacked' on their couches in the little anteroom of the death house, which had been converted into a veritable morgue. Meek Griffin, Tom Griffin, John Crosby and Nelson Brice were executed for the killing of the aged Mr. Lewis, while Joe Malloy paid the penalty for the murder of the two young Marlboro county boys. The crime for which the first four were convicted was committed April 24, 1913. The Marlboro county crime was committed Thanksgiving day, 1911. No confessions - The negroes did not confess. Three died protesting their innocence. The remaining two had nothing to add to "that already said," which was an affirmation of previous denial of guilt. Meek Griffin was put to death first by his own request. He was the most terror-stricken of all and wildly and incoherently muttered prayers while the curious harness was being buckled about him. Tom Griffin, from whose gun were fired the two charges which snuffed out the life of John Q. Lewis, had "no statement to make at all." "I have told the truth," he said. John Crosby, who was said to have fired the shots, likewise made no statement. "I am satisfied," he kept repeating. His thanks for the kindness from prison officials were also proffered. Good bye to Sheriff - Nelson Brice entered the room in the most buoyant spirits of all. He bowed smilingly to Sheriff Colvin of Chester county, who sat ten feet away, and asked "to shake hands good-bye" with the officer just prior to the placing of the electrode abut his forehead. Joe Malloy was broken spirited early in the morning, but braced himself when the hour for the ordeal arrived. "I have nothing to say," he answered, when his body had been strapped in the chair. "I knew nothing of the crime. I wouldn't be guilty of such a thing, and God would not have me commit such a crime." Malloy had an excellent physique, and was apparently in a resistant mood when the electrodes were being applied. But only two shocks were necessary to produce death. Three shocks were necessary to kill Meek Griffin and four for Tom Griffin. The heaviest amperage recorded since the installation of the chair was for the last named, when the register marked 13 amperes, with the voltage hovering around 2,000. Negro Confesses - John Monk Stevenson, another negro, is yet in jail, awaiting trail on the same charge on which the four were convicted. It was Stevenson's testimony largely which brought about the conviction of the four, he claiming that he watched while the crime was committed. Two other negroes had been arrested. While further investigation was being made, a row at a neighboring negro church caused the arrest of Stevenson, on whose person was found the dead man's pistol. Stevenson turned State's evidence and directed Sheriff Colvin and his deputies to the place where a stolen watch was buried and also told where the empty shells could be found. The shells are now in the clerk of court's office in Chester county. Stevenson's implication of the four was borne out by incontrovertible proof that Tom Griffin's gun was used for the killing, and that a screw driver belonging to the sewing machine in Meek Griffin's home was used to destroy the buried watch. Robbery was supposed to have been the motive. Young Moore and Rogers were killed in consequence of a row while hunting on land cultivated by Malloy on Thanksgiving day, 1911. Relatives Present - J. H. Lewis, a brother of the Chester victim, witnessed the execution of the four men yesterday, as did Sheriff Colvin, who was instrumental in bringing the guilty parties to justice. N. B. Rogers, county treasurer of Marlboro county and father of Guy Rogers; J. C. Rogers of Sumter, a brother, and Early B. Moore of Marlboro, a brother of Prentiss Moore, also came to Columbia for the execution. All available court machinery had been invoked to stay the hand of the law in the two cases. After being carried through the South Carolina courts, the Marlboro county case was taken to the United States supreme court. For more than two years the alleged pleas of newly discovered evidence and other points delayed the execution of the sentences. The Chester case was affirmed by the supreme court several months ago. Gov. Manning several days ago refused to commute the sentences of the five negroes to life imprisonment.
The Marlboro Democrat, Feb.25, 1885
edition Traveling: We learn that Rev. D.W. Seales has gone to spend the year at Montevallo, Ala. We wish him a pleasant sojourn in his stay out West. Mr. Charlie Emanuel left on Monday for
Lancaster, where he will spend a few days and then leave for
Florida. He is now traveling in the interest of the Davis Quilting
Frame. The following cases not reported in our last issue were called and
disposed of: Sentences: All persons having claims against the Estate of Abel Quick, deceased,
are hereby notified to present the same duly proven on or before the 25th
day of June next or be barred any benefit that may be derived
therefrom. State Paper 1/31/1915 |
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