“Gone to Glory” Execution Reported in Chattanooga

“GONE TO GLORY.” ALABAMA MURDERER SUFFERS THE EXTREME PENALTY OF THE LAW. Jim Seams, Colored, Who Murdered Officer Autry, Hanged at Eutaw, Ala, Tried and Convicted Both Times. Special to the Chattanooga Times. EUTAW, ALA,, Jan. 26.-‘I’m going right home to glory. I know I am, for my sins have all been forgiven,” said Jim Seams today as the sheriff adjusted the noose about his neck and pulled down the black cap. Jim Seams, colored, was hanged at 12 o’clock for the murder of Deputy Sheriff Autry, of Tuscaloosa county, on the 28th of January, 1888. The officer went to Seams’ house with a warrant for his arrest. Without a word of warning the negro shot him dead with a shotgun. Seams fled but was captured several days later and narrowly escaped lynching, the military being called out to protect him. He was tried last April, convicted and sentenced to hang in June, but on appeal to the supreme court he secured a new trial and a change of venue to this (Greene) county. In October he was again tried, convicted and sentenced to hang today, which sentence was carried out. Only about fifty people witnessed the execution. Seams had professed religion and said he was confident he would go to heaven. His neck was broken by the fall.