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Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Dan Nobles' Last Words As He Pays the Death Penalty, June 26, 1923

Dan Nobles Pays Death Penalty

Raleigh, June 26—Playing death drama to capacity stands, to overflowing bleachers and crowded outsides, Dan Nobles, naturally less poetical than Danny Deever, “hopped off” this morning at the state’s prison in one of the most spectacular executions of all the three score and near-ten.

None ever went away apparently better fixed for the future. But none ever seemed so subsequent about going.

“Gentlemen,” said Nobles, as he took his seat in the death chair, “I hope to meet you all up yonder. I’ve made my peace with the Lord. May God bless each and every one of you. Good Bless, Mr. Betts (spiritual advisor), my time has come and I’ve got to leave this old sinful world.

“I’ve made peace with my God--.” Here the prison attaches fitted the cap tightly over his head and he could say no more.

Nobles did not forget his friends in death row, stopping at the cells of two of them to say good bye and shake their hands. He waved farewell to the other 13, as he was led into the death chamber.

“Good morning, gentlemen,” said Nobles, as he passed Warden Busbee and a few newspaper men.

Nobles spent the entire morning in prayer with his spiritual advisor, Rev. Sylvester Betts, Jo. H. Weathers and another minister. Nobles told them that he slept well last night and ate a hearty breakfast this morning. He declared to Rev. Mr. Betts two minutes before he was carried into the death room that he was innocent.

It required three shocks to produce Noble’s death.

From the front page of the Reidsville Review, Wednesday, June 27, 1923

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