The Portland gazette., 1818-07-28
BY THE MAILS.
From tie Cincinnati Enquirer, June 30,

ne following artlClS was communicated pJ
respectable gentleman of this city, to whom
the circumstances were detailed few days
since, by the Magistrate in whose presence the
horrid crime was committed.
Three justices of the peace had met at Mays
lick in Mason county, kentucky, for the purpose
Of taking depostions, and to try about forty civil
place. On short consultation, it was agreed
that two ofthc magistrates, to wit Joseph De-
sha and John Young, should retire to one corner
ofa large room, ir which they had met, and at
tend to taking the depositions, whilst Jonathan
Stout, the other mag istrate, should try the caus
es. A cause came on to be heard wherein the
sum in dispute was ssventy-6ve cents neither
party having any testimony to introduce, Dir.
Stout, for the purpose of obtaining some knowl-
edge Of the situation of the claim, permitted the
parties to go into free conversation on the sub
iect of their dealings the course Of the conyer.
sation,it appeared that at day not long previous
to the day Of trial, the defendant had called on
the plaintiff to settle with him relative to the ex-
pense of taking up an estray and now IN the
presence Of Mr., Stout, the defendant was asked
by the plaintiff, if be did not recollect falling
short the Of fifty cents to pay the expense OF
taking up the estray at the time above alluded
to, when be called to settle it the defendant said
he did--upon which the following dialogue en-
sued.--Plai,tif. Had you any more money with
you that day, than you gave me, towards pay
ing the expense of taking up the estray: De-
fendant. No. Plaintiff. Did you borrow any
money of any one that day. Deferdont. No.
did not. Plasns.g. After you left my house
that day, dtd you meet certain young men (nam-
ing them) on your way home! Defendant.
did. Plaintiff Did you return with them to my
house. Defendant. did. Plaintiff. Did you
afterwards pitch quoits with them for whisSey IN
my yard Defendant. did. PlintT. Did
you lose two half pints Of whisksy. p.fendans.
did.-Plaint.f. Were they called in by you
at my bar, (the plaintiff was tavern kseper.)
Defendant. They were. Pl1int.F. Did you pay
me for them, Dsfsndcnt. think did. After
considerable affirmation on one side, and denial
en- the other, the plaintiff told the defendant, if
he would swear be had paid for two half pints,
he would strike them out Of his account.-De-
fendant said be would--and asked Mr.. Stout TO
administer the oath; but he being conscious from
the prior confessions Of the defendant that il was
impossible il could be so, said to him, feel a
delcacy in doing X, and you had better pay it;
it's a trifling sum, would not take the trouble
to swear for it. Something at that moment CAL
led the attention Of MI. Stout from the subject,
and before he again had fixed his eyes on the do
fendant, he had stepped to Mr.. Young, one Of
the magistrates in the other corner Of the room,
and had sworn in the most solemn manner TO the
Of the money, Of which he Immediately
informed Mr.. Stout.
Until this awful period, the defendant had re-
tanned his usual appearance Of health zad vigoy,
but alas no sooner had be turned about TO inform
Mr.. Stout Of his successful attempt to commit the
horrid crime ofperjury, than deathlike paleness
wac visible tn bis ecuntenancs the people in
the room simultaneously remarked, with aston.
ishment, the change so instantaneously effected
in his appearance. Mr.. Stout himself, remarked
when relating the circumstances to the writer,
that he had the appearance Of . man already two
days dead. Judgment was entered for fifty cents,
and he retired from the scene Of guilt. But
wretched, infatuated mortal he could not re-
tire from conscious guilt. He took neither re-
freshment nor sleep that night, but appeared
restless, Gas bis unfortunate wife YelateO and
rolled in bis bed from side to side, like one bereft
Of every earthly enjoyment. Morning came
but with It brought relief to his perturbsd bo-
som. Still taking no, food, he went after break
fast to the field where a number Of rcapers had
met to cut his grain he gave them some inco-
herent directions relative to the harvest and re-
turned to his house. The whole day was spent
in thoughtful musing, and apparent agony Of
mind, and another night was spent ike the pre-
preceding. In the morning, short time after
he had left his bed, he was seen running upon
all-fours through the door yard, and exclaiming
" John Johnston (the name Of the constable who
attended the trial) and the Devil are after me-"
He was picked up by some men who were about
the house and set down on the step OF the door
Ia few minutes, he suddenly started from his
seat, and again commenced RUNNING upon his
hands and feet as before and exelaimine most
awfully, " John Johnst on and the devil are af-
ter me-" In this manner he made bis way into
a small field Of corn which stood open TO the door
yard, and as he ran between the rows of com, he
tore up number fhills By the roots-and whilst
thus engaged, and before he could be reached
by his pursuers, in the act Of tearing up corn
hill, he suddenly and instantaneously expired:
Reader. beware. Avoid dissimulation but
admit not a thought Of perjury to meet seconds
entertainment in your bosom. Ia arash, and in
considerate moment, this man cast himself away,
leaving an indelible stain upon all his connec-
tions, and carrying with him to the grave an odi-
um which an ocean oftears can never wash from
his name.
CRAr, who formerly robbed the old Y.
S. bank at Charleston, and who was lately
sentenced to death for burglary, has been
executed st Fayetteville, North Carolina.
AT the same time and place, BroUe5sy a
black, was executed for murder. And in
Washington county, in the same state,
Gen. Dawson has been executed for the
murder fhis con, a fine youth of about
eight years, BY whipping him until he
died.