Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-09-01

Whatever difference Vt opinion may
prevail as 10 has statements, certain it|
-. that Dine -tenfhs of the community
do s0se believe that the blood ~ Mr..
Dunn does not rest solely on the head
of Cox.
Thursday. to take their final leave of
him and it is said the ajicu Of his
sister was. a heart-reu,ling scene
Deep. indeed, is the feeling &c symra-
thy which is universally ielt for her
agonizing condition. lf the condo
scnce at the community could afford
her the slightest allie, iaiion Of misery.
she might rest assured OF n prompt
cessation of her sorrows. lie has
left to her his prayer book. and re-
questcd that the candles used in adj
ministcriDg TO him the sacrament, might
also be given to her.
We have heard Of many little incl
dents connected with this event, which
serve to show the collected manner in
which the prisoner met his fate. His
affcctionate parting with the family OF
the jailor, is represented to us as
scene calculated to make a lasting i'm
PRECISION upon their memories. His
expressions of gratitude 10 Mrs. Griggs
we're deep and earnest; and her con
duct had in il much Of the tenderness
OF maternal feeling. As he passed out.
he kissed aHectionately her infant in
the cradle. On the scasi'old, he EN-
braced Mr.. Griegs with all the fervor
Of brothers affection. These tokens
Of regard. arc honorable tributes to tho
humanity Of the jail"r and his wife, and
eNince most fully, that in the execu-
ton Of their stern duty. they temp cred
its rigors with the subduins influences
Of humanity.
And here should be noticed. the pa
tience and devotedness 10 his holy Of.
ice, with which the Rev. Mr.. G,LpEA
performed his part. For mscy months,
he had been visiting the prisoner in his
gloomy abode; aud for the last ten
days. he shared with him, night and
day, the PRISONS solitude--en,i-svor
ing to awaken him To a true sense Of
his awful doom. Such devotion de-
serves a higher reward than human
praise.
IL ~ due to Mr.. RANsoS, the sheriff.
whose unpleasant task it was TO ollici.
ate on the occasion. and to others con-
cerned IN the solemn scene, to state.
that every thing was well arranged.
and conducted with the greatest posi-
bic delicaey and decoruuD. Not the
slightest symptom Of harshncss was
manifested in the exercise Of duty. For
although every one admitted the Justice
OF the punishment, when they thought
Of the enormity Of the offence, yet the
youth and appearance Of the prisoner,
conquered every feeling Of resentment.
But little more than % years OF age.
and gifted as he was with something OF
personal comeliness, it WAS impossible
to steel the heart, so rs to look upon
his condition without emotions Of pity.
We hope never to witness q similar
spectacle.
We have already. perhaps, been too
minute 10 our details Of this event; but.
knowing the interest which many OF
our readers, who were not present,
will feel in relation to il, we have run
the risk OF trespassing upon the pa q.
thence Of others. In concluding our
recital. We cannot omit TO reiterate our
solemn conviction. that public ereeu-
tons are productive Of no possible
benefit; but. on the contrary. by ga
thering together unwieldy bodies Of
people, often cause those seeds of vice
TO be sown which years Of neral Gull
( ture cannot eradicate.