Execution of Tom Barsh, Randolph, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/obits/tombarshx.txt ============================================= USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Project Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file is copyrighted and contributed by: William Fischer, Jr. ============================================= January 2002 THE HANGING [An Editorial] ---------------------------- In other columns of this paper are well written accounts by two of our correspondents of the awful end of Tom BARSH, who was hanged in Wedowee Friday [10 Apr 1903]. That so many thousands of people, even including ladies, moved by a strange and morbid curiosity, should throng to the place of execution and scramble for position, is neither encouraging nor complimentary to us as a people. From all accounts the officers conducted the affair as well as it could have been done under existing conditions, but The Leader holds to the opinion that it would have been better in every sense if the whole affair had been conducted, even at greater expense, within an inclosure [sic], to which only a limited number of representative people were admitted. Public features to an execution tend to detract from the seriousness of the law’s mandate, to harden the sensibilities of the public, and to heroize the criminal in the eyes of a reckless element of the populace, especially among negroes [sic]. The words of warning and advice uttered by the condemned man are no less true because he was a negro [sic] and a criminal. Yet the great majority of those to whom he spoke will likely regard his talk as an idle tale, and continue in their old-time dissipations. ---------------------------- LAST DAY OF TOM BARSH ---------------------------- Wedowee, April 10. -- (Special.) -- To-day at 11:45 o’clock Tom BARSH, colored, paid the extreme penalty of the law, having been, on the 20th day of February, 1903, sentenced to death for the murder of Willie BIRDSONG, colored, on the night of the 30th of November, 1902. This is the first legal execution of a criminal in the history of Randolph County. About 5,000 persons witnessed the execution. The negro [sic] arose about 5 o’clock this morning, and ate a hearty breakfast, after which he sang, “Jesus, my All to Heaven is Gone,” using the chorus, “I’m going home to die no more.” When seen by your reporter at 8 o’clock, he said that he wished this occasion to be a warning to the people, both white and black. That his advice is: Beware of the first drink; that pistols, whiskey, bad company and bad women were ruinous, and should be shunned. In response to the question as to whether or not he was prepared to die, he said: “I feel prepared for the ordeal through which I am about to pass. I have prayed many, many times, and the burden that rested upon me at the beginning has been rolled away, and I feel that my sins have been pardoned.” He was then shaved, and the Sheriff, with the help of a negro [sic], bathed and dressed the criminal. At about 9 o’clock four preachers, two white and two colored, went in the cell, and talked and prayed with the negro [sic]. At 10 o’clock the sheriff and deputies went to the gallows, which is situated about 80 yards south-east of the jail, and prepared the rope. At 10:45 the coffin was carried down to the gallows. Services were held in the jail at 11 o’clock. The hymn, “Rock of Ages,” was sung, after which Rev W T HOLDRIDGE led in prayer. After this the start was made to the gallows. The parting between the condemned man and his wife was very touching. Seldom is such faithfulness seen in the colored race. The devotion shown by the wife for the condemned man was sublime, indeed. Many were moved to tears at their sad parting. Immediately before starting to the gallows, Tom called for a cigarette, and was allowed the privilege of smoking. After reaching the gallows prayer was led by Rev REAVES, colored, after which a talk of some thirty minutes was made by the condemned man. He said that he wished this occurrence to be an example to both races, and that he would advise them never to take the first drink of whiskey. In part he said, “This is my last day here. Since I have been in prison I have experienced many things. I am guilty of the charge against me. When my father died some years ago, people told me good things to do and advised me rightly. I did not follow their advice, and I remember now the promptings and admonitions to do right. Boys, take notice. Let this be your last day to go astray. Let your good deeds overcome the bad ones. Keep out of bad company. Step by step you are led from bad to worse, and in a moment’s time you have committed some act that can never be undone. Beware of the first drink. I took to drink and here I am. I am now reaping what I have sown. I have sown bad -- I am reaping bad. I feel to-day that I am a witness for the Lord, and if I could be turned loose now I would never cease to warn the sinful to shun their ways and turn to God. Change your wicked ways before it is eternally too late. I feel that I have overcome all my wrong-doings. I believe my way is open from here to Glory.” Prayer was then led by the condemned man. At 11:45 he stepped upon the trap door, his feet were strapped by Deputy Sheriff FULLER, while the rope was placed around his neck by Sheriff KENT. The black cap was then adjusted by Deputy FULLER. “Farewell, everyone!” rang out the prisoner’s voice. The trap was sprung at 11:46 by Sheriff KENT, the body shot down 51 inches below the door, the fall breaking his neck. Twenty-seven minutes after the fall there was no life in the body. At 12:17 o’clock, just 32 minutes after the trap was sprung, the body was cut down. The corpse was turned over to the wife of the condemned man, who carried it to High Shoals for burial. Fully 5,000 persons witnessed the occurrence. BRIDGES ---------------------------- NAPOLEON [Community] ---------------------------- Poor Tom BARSH has paid the penalty of his crime. To him, being hung seemed to me to be like sitting down to dinner. There seemed to be little trepidation or fear on his part. He made a wise and sensible talk for a negro [sic], and as humble and feeling a prayer as I ever heard uttered. He acknowledged the same old oft repeated story: “whiskey and bad company” led him to his ruin. His talk seemed to have a marked and beneficient [sic] effort upon the colored people, but I fear little heeded by most of the whites. I say all honor to our worthy sheriff for the successful culmination of the program. He certainly deserves praise for his efficiency yesterday. Everything was like clock work. I have seen hangings before, but never one more successfully managed. One feature of the gallows [word unintelligible], with wisdom was in having the drop securely inclosed [sic] and obscured from vision. For one to witness the excruciating contortions of a poor man strangling to death is too awful to contemplate. Another feature that s___ned [stunned?] me and brought a shudder was the horrid scramble for souvenir pieces of the rope as soon as the unfortunate culprit was taken down. One notable surprise to me was the vast number of white ladies as spectators on such an occasion. From appearances the curiosity of the gentler sex was as palpably keen as that of the most vigorous yeoman. G O HILL [All from The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 15 Apr 1903, p.2] ---------------------------- EDITORIAL TIDBITS ---------------------------- We are told that the gallows in Wedowee upon which Tom BARSH was hung has been covered and left standing -- a ghastly warning to other evil doers. ---------------------------- HANGED TILL DEAD ---------------------------- In several of the Sunday daily papers appeared a dispatch from Anniston, that it had been reported in that city that Tom BARSH, the negro [sic] hanged in Wedowee, is now able to sit up and may recover. The story further ran that after the negro [sic] was cut down he began to show signs of life, a physician was summoned and applied restoratives, with the above results. The explanation given is that this being the first hanging in the county, that present officials were doubtless excited and allowed the criminal to be cut down too soon. All this goes to show how an absurd story will travel and meet with gullible believers. As has been published in this paper more than once, the negro [sic] Tom BARSH was left hanging 32 minutes, and when cut down several doctors declared his neck to be broken. The circulation of this palpably false report concerning the hanging sent out from Anniston, does Randolph’s sheriff and deputy an injustice. There is not a scintilla of truth in the statement. [Both from The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 15 Apr 1903, p.2] ---------------------------- HAPPY LAND [Community, northern Chambers Co., AL] ---------------------------- If there is any doubting Thomas who still persists in questioning the ability of Randolph’s sheriff as an executioner let him mount the gallows and submit to the noose. This will afford Mr KENT additional practice in one of the important functions of his office, and will prove an effective method of settling any controversy. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 6 May 1903, p.2] ---------------------------- LOCAL NEWS AND COMMENT ---------------------------- The writer has received a personal letter from John T BOWEN, now a student at Harvard University, enclosing a clipping from the Boston Journal concerning the resurrection of Tom BARSH. Thus does the fame of Randolph county and the name of her sheriff continue to spread. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 6 May 1903, p.3] ------- High Shoals is about six miles north of Roanoke, in Randolph Co., Alabama.