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Daniel Byers
The first man to be hanged after the organization of the county was Daniel Byers. On the evening of the 15th of October 1802, a mulatto, named James Burrows, in the employ of John Dunlop, was shot dead on his horse, as he was driving his team between Bellefonte and Valentine works.
The specifics of the murder are as follows:
"The person murdered was a free Mulatto a wagoner to Mr. John Dunlap the proprietor of the Iron Works, he was married to a white woman who has borne five children to him, but who (it is said) had formed an illicit connection some time before the murder with the murderer - The negro was the property of Mr. J. Smith, of this place. It appeared upon his trial that he had long premeditated the horrid deed, and had often attempted to execute it before the fatal night above mentioned. About six weeks before the murder the woman had left her husband on account of a quarrel between them about this negro; she returned back again in a few days, but ever after this the negro on all occasions had expressed to those with whom he associated, the most deadly rancor against him, and had frequently waylaid him to take his life. The night on which he was murdered the mulatto man was bringing home a load of coals from about five miles from the works, he was late out - the negro had made diligent enquiry about him, found out where he was, had sliptd out a rifle belonging to his master, waited for him on the road side, under cover of a large tree, about half a mile from the works, and when he came up close to him, he shot him through the body, the bullet penetrated a little below his left breast and came out close by his right shoulder, he was riding on the nigh horse behind, and stuck on for about 12 or 15 perches; where he fell, the wagon wheels ran over the length of his body which was supposed to have occasioned his death until the bullet hole was discovered by the inquest who sat on the body."
For the murder Byers was tried and convicted, and the jury in accordance with the law at that time, returned with their verdict - a valuation of him, 'valued him at two hundred and fourteen dollars.'
"The President judge, James Riddle, Esq., prefeced the sentence of death by an address truly pathetic and affecting indeed. The court house was crowded with spectators, and amongst them all, I could not observe an eye that was not overflowing with tears."
Daniel Byers, was executed December 13th, 1802, by James Duncan, Esq., then high sheriff of Centre County. A large crowd, consisting of forgemen and other "original characters" of Bellefonte, assembled to witness the execution, and a company of horsemen, in the command of Capt. James Potter, was drawn up near the scaffold.
With the first swing the rope broke and "Negro Dan", Dan was commonly known, fell to the ground unhurt. With that the crowd shouted "Dan is Free!" and, headed by Archey McSwords and McKibben, made a move to rescue him. Sheriff Duncan, who always carried a lead loaded whip, drew it promptly and struck McSwords "a blow that would have felled an ox." McSword scratched his head and said "Mr Duncan, as you are a small man, you can pass on." With that Capt. Potter's company made a charge and Wm. Irwin, of the troop leveled McKibben with a blow of his sword, cutting his cap rim through.
At this point William Petriken stepped up to Dan, patted him on the shoulder saying, "Dan, you have always been a good boy, go up there and be hung like a man," and Dan did.
Sources:
Bellefonte Republican
Carlisle Gazette
Democratic Watchman
Holidaysburg Standard
Weekly Keystone Gazette
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