Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 August 1901 — SMALL BOY HANGS HIMSELF. [ARTICLE]

SMALL BOY HANGS HIMSELF.

Mock Execution In Ark*u*a« Blamed Public Hanclng Law. The fatal injury of a small boy who was playing at hanging at Little Rock. Ark., will result lq Governor Davis recommending the repeal of the public execution law. Ten thousand persons saw Jim Anderson, a negro, hanged at Little Rock last Friday. There were ffrty fakirs doing business with exhibitions which bordered on the sideshow variety. Among the spectators was young Lemoyne Jayne, a son of Porter Jayne, a carpenter. After the execution the lad inspected the scaffold, and Tuesday completed a miniature scaffold. He invited his playmates to take the rope of the condemned man. Failing in this he sought to take the place of the executioner as well as the person condemned. He adjusted the noose, and stepped on the trap. He had figured that he had enough rope to reach the ground. The sight of his body dangling in midair caused hi^*playmates to spread the alarm, and neighbors reached the scene in time to cut the body down before the lad was strangled to death. His neck was not broken, but he is unconscious, and doctors give no hope for recovery. For this and the scenes enacted Governor Davis has made known his intention to recommend the immediate repeal of the act which permits the public to witness hangings.