PALLIATIVE CARE

“Gentlemen, I am guilty and deserve to die, but I did not take the gun out of that black man’s hands and beat Mr. Jennings’ brains out. I hope this will be a warning to never keep the company of black people.”- David Dunning’s last words The Report of the Trials of The Murderers of Richard Jennings

Moses Burnett’s voice echoed over the field: 

    “Doomed to death, in the midst of health, in the prime of life- taken in a moment from the most endearing connections; from wives and children- In agony and shame they go to those dark and mysterious abodes where penitence is unavailing, reformation is impossible, and their destiny eternal……..Give to them your pity- let them have your prayers: By the inexorable decree of that law they have dreadfully violated, it is all they can ask- it is all you can grant. And God have mercy on their souls.”

     

  Rev. Ezra Fisk climbed the scaffold next and began his long homily, later to be published in The Orange County Patriot under the title Sin Finds Out the Criminal. Fisk’s accusatory sermon was patiently received by all, but deemed way too long, as everyone fidgeted and waited for the main event. Teed knelt during the reading, hands clasped at his chest, mouth working feverishly, hoping for a last minute reprieve, praying for divine intervention. And just then…

     A rider galloped up, motioning for the Sheriff to come over to his horse. Moses Burnett wearily climbed down from the scaffold, and leaned against the lathed horse, as the man bent and whispered in his ear. The crowd collectively craned their necks towards the rider, hoping to catch an indication of what was being said. The drama of a last minute pardon was both feared and eagerly anticipated. The Sheriff leaned in closer. Nobody could hear a thing. Moses Burnett nodded impatiently, waved the rider off, and went back to his official duties. There would be no reprieve at the gallows steps for either man and one of Burnett’s escaped cows would never be seen again. 

     Eventually Dunning joined in the prayers, stone faced, not knowing what else to do.  More hymns were sung and bible verses recited. By 2:30 pm the shadows were lengthening and the Sheriff had had enough with all the religious pageantry. This was his hanging and he had to regain control. 

        Moses D. Burnett again took the platform and raised his hands for silence, stopping the prayers and hymns. The ministers abruptly ceased, closed their bibles, and exited the scaffold in protest; annoyed with being cut off by the Sheriff. Constables on both sides of each condemned man came alive, pulled the men up from their knees and led them both behind the nooses. 

    A slight wind kicked up exposing the men’s pale, bare legs under the burial shrouds. Each had their hands tied behind their backs with bridle rope, and heavy grain sacks (that had been fashioned into crude hoods), perched comically on their heads. Once again David Dunning shrugged off the constable’s help, struggling to his position alone. After he’d situated himself in front of the waiting noose, he was asked if if he had anything say? “….never keep the company of black people.” David Dunning repeated. He would die like he had lived, an angry, poor, proud white man, blaming others for his fate. Then he stretched out his sunburned neck in compliance.

     The hangman tightened the noose around Dunning’s neck, pulled the hood down over his face, and went to attend to Teed. James Teed’s last words, were barely audible, but have also been recorded for posterity. “O, there is a reality in religion.” was all cousin James could muster through his parched lips. With that the Sheriff ordered Teed’s face covered, and with a gentle pat on his back, all was ready. The Sheriff and his constables exited the platform, leaving the two hooded men, dressed in mud stained burial shrouds, nooses secured tightly around their necks, standing at the precipice of death, before the throngs of spectators……. all alone. 

   Burnett nodded to Ainzi Ball who was stationed under the platform, in charge of the trap door lever. Ainzi grabbed the heavy ash handle, but it wouldn’t budge. Ainsi jiggled it violently; and was about to ask someone for an ax….when the trap suddenly engaged, flapped down with a loud crack, sending both men falling in concert, snapping their necks instantly. An audible moan emitted from the crowd, as shocked faces involuntarily turned away.