HENRY BROWN HANGED

SERMON FROM THE SCAFFOLD

Henry Brown, A Negro, Warns the Witnesses of His Execution of Their Evil Ways SPECIAL TO THE NEWS,

Greenville, Tx., May 7 - Henry Brown was hanged in the jail at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon. The execution was witnessed by a small number of people, principally officers, physicians, ministers and reporters.

Brown spent the morning singing most of the time in his cell. Although he had hoped for executive clemency, as he had been reprieved from April 16, the time first set for the execution, yet when the time came, he said he was glad, although he had hoped for commutation. Sheriff Patton delayed the execution in order to have ample time to hear from the Governor, but when 2 o'clock arrived with no word from Austin, he began preparations for the final scene.

Brown was accompanied in his cell during the hour preceding the execution by his spiritual advisers, and Secretary Anderson of the Y. M. C. A. Special services were also held in the jail yesterday by Secretary Anderson and Deacon Dock Pegues of Dallas.

At 2 o'clock Brown was brought out of his cell to the room adjoining the trap, and the death warrant and Governor's proclamation were read to him by Sheriff Patton. When Brown walked upon the trap brief religious services were held by the preachers, Brown joined heartily in the singing of "Walking Through the Streets of the City," and clapped his hands in time with the tune.

The Sheriff asked Brown if he had anything to say, and he spoke about as follows:

"Friends, I am getting just what I deserve. I did wrong and ought to hang. My only regret is that I did not go with Bob McKinney. We had everything arranged then but I am as well prepared now as then. I can close my eyes and see the prettiest city I ever saw, with a home and crown there for us all. I want all to meet me there. I love everybody, even by enemies. I want this to be a warning to you young men. Leave whisky, gambling, and women alone. It is what has brought me to this. Stay away from saloons." He talked a few minutes more and had something to say to each one as he told them goodbye.

As the black cap and noose were being adjusted he said: "Look here young boys, see what's going around my neck and be warned. Don't do as I have done. Lead pure lives and avoid this."

Just before the drop was sprung he called out to the negroes who were waiting to take the body to Commerce for burial: "Remember boys, I sho' want to be buried by the side of that girl," alluding to the girl he killed.

The trap was sprung at 2:34 and thirteen minutes later he was pronounced dead. At the end of fifteen minutes the body was cut down.

Mayor Gales of Commerce has used every endeavor to have the sentence of Brown commuted to life imprisonment, but without success. He set up in his petition to the Governor that Brown was only 17 years old when he committed the deed, and was of weak mind.

On the 5th of last August Henry Brown a young colored barber of Commerce on account of jealousy of his sweetheart. Frances Melton determined to take her life. He went to the shop to take a razor out of its case put it in his right hip pocket. He then went up to the house where the girl lived and walked into the room. She was sitting in a chair reading a book and as Brown went up to her and took her left hand in his left hand, she almost backed him out of his purpose, but as she cast her eyes on the book again he determined to carry out his deed. He took the razor out of his pocket and opened it with his right hand behind him, then drawing her left arm up and over her eyes, he suddenly drew her head back and cut clear through her throat with the razor. She died instantly. (Dallas Morning News, May 8, 1900, page 5, transcribed by Peggy Thompson)