execution was set for June 25, 1897, when they were scheduled to
be hanged at the same time as Jerry Brown who was under sentence of
death for rape. Brown receiyed a 30-day respite and Viars was re-
spited until November, it aeaed was hanged on schedule from a
gallows constructed in a KASE¥SAIXE natural grove of chestnut treeg
Prior to the trap falling, he Sang a song from the scaffold,
The Birmingham DAILY NEWSy Birmingham, Alabama June 25 G07.
HISTORICAL NOLES ON FAYETTE COUNTY, W. VA., 127-131
See also: VIARS, Albert
execution was set for June 25, 1897, when they were scheduled to
be hanged at the same time as Jerry Brown who was under sentence of
death for rape, Brown receiyed a 30-day respite and Viars was re-
spited until November, ub ponds ais hanged on schedule from a
gallows constructed in a RAEHESAIXE natural grove of chestnut tree
Prior to the trap falling, he Sang a song from the scaffold.
The Birmingham DAILY NEWSY Birmingham, Alabama June 25, 1897.
HISTORICAL NOTES ON FAYETTE COUNTY, W. VA., 127-131
Bae ZoccTh “Ak 1 9 Fay Livitle, Wi. Yeu.
See also: VIARS, Albert
execution was set for June 25, 1897, when they were scheduled to
be hanged at the same time as Jerry Brown who was under sentence of
pee Brown receiyed a 30-day respite and Viars was re-
spited until November, bat Monee was hanged on schedule from a
lows constructed in a HAEWEMEIXE natural grove of chestnut trees
Prior to the trap falling, he sang a song fron the scaffold.
The Birmingham DAILY NEWSy Birmingham, Alabama June 25, 1897.
HISTORICAL NOTES ON FAYETTE COUNTY, W. VA., 127-131
i, H f Fag Hille, U3. Ve.
See als
VIARS, Albert
ou the bath 42d 9 FagpTtirlle, bse
the neccth aids 7 Fay Heel, Wb
LiwWIs, Clark
Lewis, a black man, was an habitue of the home of Charles Gibson at
Montgomery, Fayette Coe, We Vae Gibson and his wife, both white,
used their residence as a rendezvous point for $8SEX% persons both
black and white, to engage in lustful orgies, Mrs, Virgie Gibson
had grown tired of her husband and she persuaded Lewis, Wilbur
Slaughter, also black, and Albert Viars (or Volers), a white man, to
kill him. On the night of April 22, 1896, the three men arrived at
the house and Viars entered first, When Lewis and Slaughter entered
he got up and blew out the light. Lewis and Slaughter grabbed Gib-
Son who was evidently aware of what was going to happen and he mana-
ged to overpower them, At that time, Viars entered the fray and
Gibson was slowly strangled to death, The killers hid his body in
an abandoned mine, BSKRAEXKX covering it with slate. A mountain de~
tective, searching for an explanation to his disappearance found
first his clothes and then his Skeleton, Lewis, Viars, Slaughter
and Mrs. Gibson were arrested shortly afterwards and charged with
the crime. Slaughter gave State's evidence and received a life sen-
tence while Mrs, Gibson was sentenced to an 18-year prison term,
Both Lewis and Viars were sentenced to die and the date of their
LEWIS, Clark
Lewis, a black man, was an habitue of the home of Charles Gibson at
Montgomery, Fayette Coe, We Vae Gibson and his wife, both white,
used their residence as a rendezvous point for $8SPXE persons both
black and white, to engage in lustful orgies, Mrs. Virgie Gibson
had grown tired of her husband and she persuaded Lewis, Wilbur
Slaughter, also black, and Albert Viars (or Voiers), a white man, to
kill him. On the night of April 22, 1896, the three men arrived at
the house and Viars entered first, When Lewis and Slaughter entered
he got up and blew out the light. Lewis and Slaughter grabbed Gib-
Son who was evidently aware of what was going to happen and he mana-
ged to overpower them. At that time, Viars entered the fray and
Gibson was slowly strangled to death, The killers hid his body in
an abandoned mine, ESHEAEXKE covering it with slate. A mountain de-
tective, searching for an explanation to his disappearance found
first his clothes and then his skeleton, lewis, Viars, Slaughter
and Mrs, Gibson were arrested shortly afterwards and charged with
the crime. Slaughter gave State's evidence and received a life sen-
tence while Mrs. Gibson was sentenced to an 18-year prison term.
Both Lewis and Viars were sentenced to die and the date of their
LSWIS, Clark
Lewis, a black man, was an habitue of the home of Charles Gibson at
Montgomery, Fayette Co., We Vas
used their residence as
Urs, Virgie Gibson
she persuaded Lewis, Wilbur
Slaughter, also black, and Albert Viars (or Voiers), a white man, to]
kill him, On the night of April 22, 1696, the three men arrived at
the house and Viars entered fir
ind received a life sen-
was sentenced to an 1§~year prison term.
Both Lewis and Viars were sentenced to die and the date of thoir
eaty Petts oes Mo Yen Ct
