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Archiver > KY-FEUDS > 2001-07 > 0994735732


From: Wanda Shepherd <>
Subject: Re: [KY-FEUDS] Bloody Breathitt
Date: Mon, 09 Jul 2001 23:28:52 -0400
References: <3B4A56D2.E6E0B646@neo.rr.com>


Confessed on the Scaffold

Six Murders acknowledge by
"Bad Tom" Smith
Louisville Courier-Journal
Jackson, Ky, June 28, 1895

"Bad Tom" Smith is hanged. The terror of Eastern Ky. has paid the
penalty of his last crime. The execution was a success and everything went
smoothly. There was no disorder. On the scaffold Smith confessed some of
his csrimes, each of a nature that would have warranted the death penalty.
When the bright sun rose above the hills of Breathitt Co.'s capital
there was to be seen assembled in the picturesque little village some 4,000
or 5,000 people, dirty and weary from trudging through the mountains,
citizens of Breathitt, Magoffin, Wolfe, Lee, Knott, Floyd, Perry, Owsley,
Letcher, and other mountain counties. These people had traveled miles, some
on horseback, some in wagons, some in buggies, and other on foot. Many of
them were women and children, in some cases the husband, wife, and several
children came in riding one mule. The men were in shirt sleeves, while the
women wore sun bonnets and many were bare-footed. The Object of their
curiosity or interest was the execution of Tom Smith, than whom no man
known to the mountaiin counties of Kentucky has a bloodier history. These
wondering people were uncertain of the hour at which the execution would
take place, but one thing they knew was that Tom Smith would be hanged on
Friday, and, owing to Sheriff Combs various contradictory statements
regarding the hour, they came nearly in order that they might not be
deprived of the object of their visit to Jackson.
The sky was clear, and at sunrise there were hardly a sound to be heard,
except the cow bells on the mountain sides and the caw of the crow as he
flitted from one mountain peak to another, unaware of the sentence about to
be carried out in his immediate vicinity. The weary people were sleeping or
lying in watch near the banks of the river waiting for the hour to arrive
at which the execution would take place.
The death warrant had been read to Smith by Sheriff Combs and the doomed
man for the first time gave up all hope of being saved by his friends. He
slept little last night. He wanted to make a confession, but his brother,
Bill, and sister, Linnie, who were with him continually, pleaded with him
not to do so until he had taken his place on the scaffold. Smith
breakfasted about six o'clock, eating heartily of chicken, fresh meat,
bread and vegetables. He drank both milk and coffee, remarking that he
enjoyed the meal better than any other he had eaten in years.
About seven o'clock, Sheriff Combs and Jailer Centers, with the entire
guard which had been put around the jail, accompanied by the Rev. Thomas
Kelley, a Methodist divine, and cousin to the doomed man, and the Rev.
Stephen Carpenter, of the Jackson Baptist Church, besides the Rev. J.J.
Dickey, and other ministers, formed a line and conducted Smith to the
Kentucky River, which is about 400 yards from the jail.
The party walked silently and mournfully to the edge of the water,
followed by the thousands who had come to witness the events of the day.
Before going into the water Smith's relatives, of whom there seemed to be
about 200 men, women, and children, knelt upon the ground and were led in
prayer by Minister Carpenter. The minister prayed fervently, asking that
the soul of the condemned man be saved from hell and that he might put away
from houls all secrets of bloody deeds, asking that God cleanse his soul,
and although it was the 11th hour, take it up to rest in peace through
eternity. Smith wept bitterly at his words. The prayer lasted 15 minutes.
Hundreds of people joined in the baptismal hymn, and whenthe ministers
led Smith into the river he looked exceedingly pale. He was supported on
either side and caught his breath while being emmersed in such a manner
that he was considerable strangled. He looked as though he would faint upon
being raised from the water, but made no demonstration. He opened his eyes,
clinched his teeth, and looked smilingly upon the thousands assembled on
the river banks. Upon reaching the shore his friends gathered around and
shook his hand. The guards cleared the way and the baptismal party began
its march back to the jail. During all the while friends of Smith were
passing near him, shaking his hand and bidding him God speed. The scene was
the most affecting ever witnessed at an execution in Eastern Kentucky, and
Tom Smith, was the first man ever hanged in Breathitt County.

More later.......Wanda



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