Memphis Daily Appeal
Tennessee
May 31, 1861
At one o’clock to-day the two negroes, Moses and Isaac, found guilty of murder, are to be executed in the field on the Raleigh road, this side the fair grounds. The prisoners will leave the jail about noon, escorted by Capt. Jackson’s company of Bluff City Guards and the Italian company of Garibaldi Guards, which companies will preserve order at the place of execution, forming a cordon around the gallows. The prisoners were visited by several clergymen, and other pious persons yesterday. Moses, who killed an Italian organ-player, is of somewhat obtuse intellect. He says little, but shows some signs of distress. Isaac, who killed an overseer, is an intelligent fellow. He has occupied most of his time, of late, in reading the Bible, and in writing some incidents of his religious experience. He is devotional, and anxious to be
prepared for the great future he has this day to face. Spite of babbling theorists, Isaac is acute enough to know that while he “who spake as never man spake” forgave a criminal at the place of execution, and assured him an entrance into paradise, there is firm hope for the worst if earnestly sought for. This is the first legal execution that ever took place in this city; a negro who committed an atrocious murder was hung here some years ago by the enraged mob. The execution of Levi Stover is fixed for June 28th. Barnes, who was also sentenced to be hung, obtained a new trial.