"Built of granite about two feet thick, it is two stories in height and has a trap door in the floor of the upper story where condemned prisoners were hanged. An iron bar supported the trap door. When the signal was given, the hangman pulled the lever that controlled the bar and the culprit was launched into eternity."
I recently read a 2019 story by Tyler Wilkins in the Lake Oconee News (Georgia) about the old gaol, and was surprised to learn only one documented execution took place there. Here's how the Atlanta Weekly Constitution covered it on 4 November 1873:
| Quick PSA: Since most newspapers of the time were white-owned and reflected racist views, they were biased. So please question and treat with great caution the papers' descriptions of the alleged crimes, victims, and perpetrators. |
EXECUTION OF GEORGE COPELAN
Rope Breaks -- Large Crowd -- His Confession.
Greensboro Herald, October 23.]
George Copelan (col,) alias George Simpson, convicted at the last September term of Greene Superior Court, was executed in the Jail to-day, a[t] 12 o'clock, for the murder of Miss S. A. Richards, in May, 1871.
The apparatus of death, was a ring, secured by a heavy bar of iron, to the ceiling of the second story of the jail, from which a rope was suspended over the platform, which secured on one side by hinges, and on the other by a rope, stood just at the head of the stairway, giving a fall of four feet.
At an early hour in the morning, we entered the jail, with the Sheriff and two or three others, and found the doomed man, crouching, motionless and silent, in a corner of his gloomy cell, apparently asleep -- but only apparently. The Sheriff spoke to him kindly, and offered him breakfast, but he said he did not want to eat. On being asked if there was any one outside that he wanted to see? He replied, that he wished to see Mr. Willis. This gentleman, a member of the Young Men's Christian Association of Augusta, on being admitted, engaged in a conversation with George, in which he (George) said, "it was all right, he was guilty, but had been forgiven and was prepared, and will to stand in the presence of God.
At ten minutes past 11, the prisoner was carried up-stairs. At this juncture, Mr. Gray requested the prisoner to make a statement of his feelings and hopes. He said that he had repented of all his sins, that God had forgiven him and spoken peace to his soul, and that he was ready to go.
Mr. Gray then knelt and requested all to join him in prayer for the unfortunate man. During this fervent appeal all knelt, the friends of the prisoner seeming much affected, while George, though calm, seemed solemn and earnest. Mr. Gray here bid him farewell, and took his leave. The colored ministers now approached, and after a few words of counsel, raised a hymn, in which he joined, in a low but distinct tone, and another prayer was offered by one of the colored ministers.
At half-past eleven, the prisoner was securely pinioned and led to the scaffold. He stepped carefully on the trap, and with some hesitation, but no tremor -- pulse 128. When the rope was placed around his neck, Sheriff English told him he had a half hour in which he could say whatever he desired. The statement that follows was made partly in reply to questions that were asked: "I am in a bad condition, and hope it will be a warning to all, but God has forgiven me. I know that I must die -- have no hope of anything else but death right now, and I must prepare to meet it -- must make peace below; there is no repentance beyond the grave. It was a bad affair; there was no one with me; I went into it myself, all by myself. The devil led me there; went to get money; pretty much intended to kill; I went in the house, stood by the fire place and talked to her a few minutes; then struck her on the back of the head with a stick; she fell by the fire; I dragged her out on the floor, and raped her; she said go away; I then took a case knife and cut her throat; she did not speak when I done this; I took money out of the side-board; took sugar, flour and butter; I took some clothes and spool thread, but burdt [sic] them up.
I then put fire on the floor, and while the house was burning went home. There was nobody else there. I made statements about others helping me because Henry Jackson and Wiley Baugh got some of the money and things, and I thought it would benefit me. Henry Jackson knew where I got the things; I told him, because he saw some of them and asked me where I got them. Wiley Baugh did not know. I kept the watch buried until about two months before the camp meeting, and sold it to Wiley; he never paid but one dollar nohow; told tales on others because I hoped it would help me; can't say any more; I know that I must die in seven minutes, have no hope of escape; all that I have said is true; that is all.
His pulse at this time was 130, though he seemed calm and self-possessed.
As the rope was tightened around his neck and the cap put over his head he said farewell! Thank God! Thank God! (in a loud voice), Farewell world, I'm going home to God! Struggle will soon be over! trouble will soon be over.
At precisely 12 o'clock, the sheriff cut the cord that held the trap door; the rope broke, and he fell with a crash down the stairway, caught in a sitting posture, and remained silent and motionless: not a tremor shook his frame; his countenance was placid, indicating no pain whatever; he seemed in a profound sleep.
At fifteen minutes past twelve he was again drawn up, making a glutteral sound and struggling considerably. In four minutes he ceased to struggle, at the expiration of the fifth minute a slight tremor struck him and he drew one breath. In fifteen minutes his pulse ceased to beat, but his heart still beat feebly. At thirty minutes it was doubtful whether there were any pulsation, at thirty-five minutes Dr. Walker again detected pulsation at the heart; at ten minutes past one life was pronounced extinct.
No blame attaches to the sheriff for accident to the rope. It was large and deemed strong enough by all who saw it. It is the opinion of the medical attendants that the deceased died without pain; that he was unconscious from the first moment that he fell. Thus died the perpetrator of a most horrible crime, and thus is the law vindicated and justice meted out.
 |
| Images © 2013 S. Lincecum |
Comments