Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-10-23

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cross the country TO Weigle's town, 6 a.
long the road towards Carlisle. AT Ross
town 1 stopped, and enquired for wsrk
out got none.--From thence went to MIR
Leonard Eichelberger's, who knew me-
having seen me,in York---He asked me
II had been stealing said had not.
he gave me something to eat and drink.
then went TO Carlisle, where I stald one
day and night, and from thence went TO
Mount Rock, and next morning 10 John
Young's, where stad all night, and part
OF next day CrburSday.) then went IN
To SaipyeEsburg. aud hired win Mr.
Rehn,, ionkeeper, at the ra,e OF lSs. 3D.
per ,rpn,h. IrcTnaiDed with him till Sum
day following, when l was taken, and
cominilted to the jaii in York, where l
new sin. An ,his time, J felt an inclina-
tioa 20 GO fuciher. for was afraid TO be
taken, but could not prevail on myself;
something in my mird kept me back and
j did then, and do still think, that GOD
was on Rothrocks SIDE for might have
been more than 500 miles distant, before
was taken, The hand of Providence
keeps me back, that murder might not 20
uDpgnished.
Thus have made faithful, and as far
as can recoIlect, an accurate confession,
cf all :. circumstances of that dreadful
crime, Hhieh my wicked heart prompted
me 10 commit, ard for which the Just
laws OF 'he country cut me off, in the
Hover of M youth, as an awful example,
ana solemn warming to others.
notwithstanding my wicked lie, have
been of>n preserved from perils and dam
ger. Oace in particular, / rode a wild
with me through nany dangerous pluces,
ill At last he dIshed his head against his
owners porch, and fell down dead, while
iescapsd unhurt. Inow believe that God
preserved me from death at that time,
because my measure of iniquity was not
yet iul., and that might by public and
shameful death, be made a warning to
my wicked companions.
feel II necessary to relate also, that
while was away from my master, hav-
Ing been disordered in my body, and tired
OF my wicked life, bought vial Of laud.
ahnm from an apoibeoary at Georgetown,
and resolved 20 drink it. that l might
sleep, and wake no more. | bad taken
the cork out several times, with design
oil swallowing the lauda.um, but hesitat.
ed. Al last concluded 10 go 10 Fredc-
ricktuNu, aHd if I did not fad some per-
sos ~ho would relieve Gns there, l would
then execute my purpose. carried the
vial IN my hand, and stopping a, well
TO ge; drink, l laid down the vial, while
icek up the bucket. After had euench.
cd my thiss,, I wSnt on and forgot the
vol, and thus Providence frustrated my
intentions at that time. have al several
other times had Tin my mind to destroy
myself, but something always prevented
il.
Now my life is at close, / warn al
persons from sweating and especially by
the name as God, that they will commi,
acfime OF the evil OF this, I am ,
striking example ;---ior shortly bsfore
psrpe,rated The crime, for which am SC
soon 10 suffer. I sworc by Cod, in th.
presence OF Mr.. Marin Snyder, and hi,
wife, that | would Kill some person, OF
be Killed, before lefi Yort These word:
were spoken through leyiiy and wanton
ness With no design, or thought Of per
Forming my oath. But mark what .ol
lowed! This was on Sunday, and e7
Thursday night following, the fatal acl
was done, aud my oa.h accomplished
My day being nO.y numbered, aud but
few days Remaining between me and
eternity, | confess my sentence to be Just,
aad That die iecorciled to al mankind
ana hepe | arh forgiven, by all whom
have injured or offended. I feel en- ib-
hoEtence 81 MY past conduct, and hope
Ina, ny awful fate, will be a profitable
exauple TO others. ! bless God for his
DseFc;es to ne, and that he did rot suffer
ne 10 &c cut of in the midst of my sins,
hut that I've has sIowed me lime and space
for repentance. bless his name, for that
he has awakened my confidence, and en-.
abicd me ib hope for salvation through a
feseemcr, being fully persuaded thaI his
grace IS sufficient, TO save the CHIEF oil
slnDess amongst whom l deserve 10 be
naInb=red.
! have IL in my power this day to de-
clare, that SO strong is my hope 10 saliva
ton, taat death is IN some measure dis
armed Of l6s ieJr0rs. I feel thankful TO
God, hat ny career of sin and guilt is
thus early stopped for trembie to think
what drc@liyi crimes might yet have
Crf.,uiffed lad ro,r TT. 49,. x,.........-.f