EXTRAORDINARY FEATURES AT AN EXECUTION.

Western Star, Issue 787, 27 October 1883, Page 5 (Supplement)

EXTRAORDINARY FEATURES AT AN EXECUTION.

An execution that took place at Macon, in the United States, some time back, was accompanied by some extraordinary features. An enterprising speculator put up a large number of seats, guaranteeing to each and every occupant a fine view of the gallows at $1 a head, and he paid the regular showman’s license of §IOO. The culprits were two men named W imbushand Baily. They had both committed murder, and the circumstances under which they appeared on the gallows were of unusual interest. Wimbush was working one day on a railroad with a man by name Washington, and the two had a discussion as to which could do the most work. Wimbush remarked to Washington, “ I have a good mind to lick you ; justsay ‘ sheep ’ and I will do it.” “ Sheep,” replied Washington, and in an instant Wimbush sent a knife through his body, killing him on the spot. Baily was an intelligent negro, moving it is stated, in, “ the first colored circles of Macon ” and a member of the lodge of “ The Sons and Daughters of Jacob.” ‘Having a difference with another member of the lodge, he shot him dead. It happened that Baily was tried before Judge Simmons, who formerly owned him as a slave. The Judge when sentencing him to death, could not refrain from calling him by his old name “ Jack ” as before the war, and then burst into tears as did also Baily. Two seats were reserved by the showman for the culprits’ wives, who were treated with the most courteous consideration, and accorded every advantage to enable them to gratify a wish they had expressed to witness the hanging of their husbands.