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John Webb Hanging

Submitted By Angela Meadows

THE GALLOWS

Nashville, Tenn., Aug 13, A Knoxville  Tenn.,special to the Banner says:
At an early hour crowds poured in from the country to witness the execution of
John Webb. The streets near the jail,  were thronged with an immense crowd. It was with difficulty that the guards could prevent the crowd from breaking down the jail fence so eager
were they to see.

He partook heartily of a breakfast and called the attention of the guards to the fact that it was the last new suit of black clothes taken (given) him by his brother. At ten o'clock, when he dressed, he asked the Sheriff for a razor to shave which he refused, fearing violence. This angered him much and he told the sheriff to go to hell and take it with him.

At .11:30 the death warrant was read to him, when he asked to read it himself. After finishing he raised his hand and declared : "Before God my execution is unjust,'' and kissed the crucifix
he held, given him by the priest. He also added that he forgave everybody, but it was unjust to hang an innocent man, before leaving the jail he hid Ayers good bye, saying "Old fellow,
you'll have to pray mighty hard for forgiveness of murder you have caused, if  you get to heaven.'' The prisoner walked promptly to the wagon with his wife on his arm, accompanied also by Sheriff Swan, the deputies and a priest. His wife was much affected, and Webb endeavored to console her. The procession moved to the gallows, about a mile, with the sheriff's posse fifty strong, the immense crowd following. Arriving there, a circle was formed by two military companies and the posse. The wagon was driven immediately under the gallows, when the
prisoner briefly addressed the crowd as follows: ''The .statement I made is true. I die an innocnt man. They are killing  me for nothing. I put my trust in God. I think I have been forgiven". He
then requested the Sheriff to call others, Mr. Haskins particularly, to whom he said, "I want to say to you it is a serious thing you've done. If you want to, kill a man, but don't swear his life away". He then denounced the whole party as having sworn to lies. Then turning to James White, he said: "The night of the murder I staid with you, yon know." He then handed a letter to Huckaby and continued his remarks to the crowd, saying: ... want to see poor old John Webb hung. I prayed for all last night. Look at me and mark what I say, I die innocent." The mayor asked him who was guilty if he was innocent, which he declined to answer, saying Captain Washington had the true statement and it would be given to the public. His wife implored  him to tell all he knew. Just then a  messenger came and informed Webb of the death of his sister, and the funeral today.
He received the news with apathetic calmness,  and his bold blue eyes wore a far off look as though piercing the veil of eternity. His wife urged  him to pray for pardon, to which he
replied: "My dear wife, I would rather be in my place than that of many I see here".
He showed great nerve and held up unflinchingly to the last. When binding his legs he offered his hand saying: "You have hold of the best soldier you ever had" and amid the agonizing screams
of his wife he mounted the rear seat of the wagon, telling the people to look, saying: "I am the best piece of furniture you have seen for many a day". His wife was then lead away from the
horrible scene, the black cap was then drawn over his face and the noose adjusted, when the wagon moved and Webb leaned forward and easing himself off, at 1:20 was swinging in the
air. He was pronounced lifeless in twenty minutes, and when taken down presented a natural appearance.

Source: Elyria Independent Democrat, Elyria, Ohio, August 18, 1875

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