Thursday, September 18, 1924
TINY McCOY HUNG
“May God bless us all and take us to Heaven on the Day of Judgment.”
Thus, spoke young Tiny McCoy, 23 years old, with only the slightest tremor to disturb the tranquility of his remarkable composure, ten seconds before he met death by hanging at the Moundsville State Penitentiary at 4:56 Friday afternoon. Eleven minutes later, at 5:07 o’clock, actual death replaced a state of unconsciousness, according to the observations of prison physicians.
An unexcelled peace of mind, a perfect evenness of temperament, a most complete reconciliation to fate, and an amazing mental and physical composure unparalleled in state prison annals, characterized the execution of Tiny McCoy. For the past 86 days, ever since Tiny McCoy was brought to prison, penitentiary officials and religious advisers have marveled at that same remarkable demeanor which he retained to death.
Holding his 43 auditors breathless by his uncanny coolness, McCoy walked on to the gallows unassisted. Keeping slightly advance of prison officials, the condemned man stepped to the middle of the trap door, and with a last settling shrug of the shoulders, and a matter of fact buttoning of the lower button of his coat. Tiny McCoy was prepared for the ceremonies of execution.
A prayer was spoken in hushed tones by Rev. H. C. Gaunt, the condemned man said his last words in even voice, the black mask of death was drawn about his head, feet and arms were bound together, and Tiny McCoy was ready to die. Warden S. P. Smith pushed a button, sounding a buzzer in an adjacent room, simultaneously four guards jerked on four ropes, and with Rev. Gaunt’s cheery, “Goodbye” ringing in his ears, Tiny McCoy dropped to his death…
A brother, from Pocahontas county, arrived in Moundsville a few days ago, stayed for the execution, and afterward supervised the conveyance of the remains to the old homestead at Keister.
During the long days preceding execution, when the condemned man’s existence was occupied solely with contemplation of impending death, McCoy retained constantly an attitude of deep thought and complete belief in eternity. He had previously confessed his faith in “the atoning blood of Jesus Christ,” and undergone the ceremonies of baptism…
On Sunday, April 6 last, just 160 days preceding execution, Tiny McCoy entered a home at Cass, and after a brief but bitter quarrel, drew a revolver, aimed it at his wife, Mrs. Hallie Virginia McCoy, and pulled the trigger. Then, stepping over her prostrate body, McCoy shot his mother-in-law, Mrs. William Totten, and his brother-in-law, Herbert Totten…
DIED
Myrtle Jane Ervin, 14, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Ervin, of Arbovale, died at the Greenbrier General Hospital in Ronceverte. She was taken to the hospital a few days before her death with an infected face. It was soon found that the infection was too deeply rooted to be checked. The funeral service was conducted at the home and her body was laid to rest in the family cemetery. Mrytle was the sixth of Mr. and Mrs. Ervin’s children to be called Home.
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Mrs. Amanda Bishop Hultz, beloved wife of William Hultz, of Hillsboro, died last week of Peritonitis. Her age was 49 years. She is survived by her husband and four children. Burial in the McNeel Graveyard.
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Mike Cutlip, of Renicks Valley, was killed last Wednesday night, September 10, 1924, by being kicked in the neck by a horse. His son was leading a horse and to make it move up better, Mr. Cutlip struck it. The horse kicked and struck Mr. Cutlip just below the ear, breaking his neck. His age was about 42 years. He is survived by his wife and five or six children.
