Newton-Elbert County GaArchives News.....GEORGE SIMMS, THE LAW AVENGED THE FELON DIES IN AGONY. October 27 1874
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Phyllis Thompson http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002524 June 27, 2004, 7:55 pm
The Georgia Enterprise
THE PRISONER CONFESSES THE CRIME!
DEATH PENALTY IN NEWTON CO. SINCE 1822.
On yesterday we went to the cell of George Simms to hear from his own lips
the confession of his guilt. He said, "Mr. Hawkins, I sent for you to tell you
a thing, I have never told a living soul. I AM GUILTY! I did outrage the woman!
I stood out as long as I could but God told me I was lost if I did not own up!
I believe now he will answer my prayers. I have made peace with the world! When
I am dead I want you, Dr. Branham and Dr. Shelby to take my body and use it as
you please, and when you get through with it send it to my mother at Greensboro
or bury it decently in Covington." At this moment two colored preachers tapped
at the door and asked to be admitted. After they entered a hymn was read and an
impressive prayer offered. During prayer George wept bitterly.-
HIS ARREST AND CONVICTION!
The crime was committed on Sunday, the 2nd of November, 1873, he was arrested
on Monday, the 3rd, tried and convicted on Tuesday, the 4th, and sentenced to
be hung on the 19th of January, his case was carried to the Supreme Court and a
new trial refused, he was re-sentenced in September to be hung to-day.
FORMER HANGINGS IN NEWTON.
It may not be amiss to record in this connection the hangman's work in
Newton Co. since the year 1822. The first hanging after that date was that of
Anderson, Sophie and Warren White, who murdered their master in a corn field
and after he was dead tied a rope around his neck and fastened his body to a
wild and spirited horse which carried it swiftly direct to the door of his
residence. (The rest of this paragraph is unreadable.)
The only man ever lynched in this county was a negro who committed an
unpardonable crime. On the 3rd of September, 1842, in Sheffield District, this
negro was seized upon the highway in broad daylight by a company of unknown men
and carried up an old field where he was securely fastened to a stump and pine
knots were packed around him and fired. In one hour he was burned to death. The
reporter's pen, like the wind goeth where it listeth, and we now turn a new
page and carry our readers to the criminal's lonely dungeon and there they can
hear the sad words of a dying man.
LIFE HISTORY OF THE PRISONER.
George was born on the 3rd of January, 1854, near Elberton, Ga. He left that
county in 1869 charged with a similar crime. He worked in Ogelthorpe county
one year and left with two warrants hanging over him. He then went to
Greensboro and obtained a situation on the railroad. Our readers know the rest!
LAST NIGHT ON EARTH
On the last night at about 7 o'clock the dim light of a tailor candle threw
its light upon the lonely walls of this unfortunate man's silent cell for the
first time since his imprisonment.- He looked pitiful in the extreme-but he was
not alone- two colored preachers were by his side who came to pray the night
away for his salvation. At twelve o'clock we bade him a sad adieu; he was
praying a mournful and passionate prayer when we left him.
THE PRISONER'S LAST HOURS!
At an early hour this morning we noticed a stern and solemn look upon the
face of Sheriff Anderson as he bravly turned his footsteps toward the jail. He
had a disagreeable duty to perform and the thought of it _______ working in his
brain. As he walked to the iron doors the (the rest of this sentence is
unreadable). He spoke pleasantly, and told the Sheriff he could not eat.- The
Sheriff, then picked up the lock on the chain, which bound the prisoner to the
floor and discovered that it was ruined.- George had picked it with the ball
of a tin bucket but failed to unlock it. With a chisel and hammer the lock was
shattered and the criminal released. He trembled slightly when the chain fell.-
He is now a mere wreck, having lost fully forty pounds since his arrest. In a
few minutes the doors were relocked and the prisoner left alone. We then went
to the rear of the jail and climbing upon the gallows to his window we called
to him and he answered, "Great God! Mr. Hawkins, have you come at last? I am
guilty, and I want you to know it. I don't want to die," George appeared
excited and desired to be allowed to relate a history of his life. Having no
time to spare we had to leave him and refuse to hear his history. Near noon,
Col. Anderson and his guard took George from the jail and conducted him to the
gallows. There were nine steps to the stand and the prisoner trembled severely
as he neared the top. The gallows was strong and the trap was properly
arranged. The enclosure being small there were only a few to witness the sickly
spectacle, although there were hundreds around the jail and upon the streets.
THE HANGING
At 40 minutes after 12 o'clock, he was took from the jail, carried to the
gallows, and after being asked what he had to say, he replied, "Nothing, I am
safe! Meet me in heaven, Mr. Hawkins! Good-bye, Friends!" The white cap was
then pulled over his face and in an instant the dull sound of the wooden
trigger was heard- the trap door dropped violently- George Simms dangled in the
air between heaven and earth.- four dying gasps and the agony was over. He spun
around a few times, and his tongue lolled out between his teeth, his body swung
straight- his neck broke- he was dead! In 13 minutes Dr. Hendrick pronounced
life extinct. He was then cut down and his remains turned over to the proper
authorities.
George Simms is now no more. Altho he was guilty of this heinous crime,
the God who made him must judge him. It has been many a year since a gallows
was seen in our county- we hope it may never be seen again.
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