Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-06-02
From the Frederick Citizen.
JOHN .M4REIEY


On Saturday last. this unhappy man was
brought from his cell TO the Court House, to
receive the sentence which the law prcscribes
for the offence Of whichhe has been convict
ed. The same mperturbable aspect which
had marked bis features during the trial, and
through the period Of his confinement. the
same apparent msensibility 10 the wretched
ness Of his condition, were as strikingly ma
nlit sted on this solemn and impressive occa-
sion. While the crowd around him seemed
deeply affected by a contemplation OF bis for
lorn and miserable situation, his countenance
betrayed no marks of an agitated mind or
disturbed heart, but Indicated more the calm
ness and composure Of an Indifferent specta-
tor to less melancholy scene. Neither was
there, on the contrary, discoverable m bis
countenance, at any time. the least iierceness
OF expression or line OF violent passion; but
exhibited rather an hsbitualy smooth and
quiet temper
Previous TO his conviction in 1876, for the
robbery OF MIR Newey, Markley had been
convict in the Virginia Peuitentiary. He is
a rough carpenter by trade. and seven or
eight y ears ago, worked in Jefferson county.
Virginia. Whilst there, he was in the EN-
ploy of MIR. JAMESON, who regarded him
as an honest, industrious and quiet niap, and
placed the utmost reliance on his integrity
Sometime afterwards. Markley moved TO a
mother part OF the nei ,hborhood, when mum
Der of small theits were pcrpetraled, which
were attributed TO the negroes. Patrolliug
parties were formed, to watch and search the
settlement. In one of their excursions, they
found Markley, against whom no suspicion
had been entertained, concealed in barn,
having in hi. possession certain articles that
had haau CT al Il b.f for
lie was committed, tried and sent 10 the state
prison for two years
Shortly after the expiration OF his term of
service, the horrid murder Of the lamented
Miss Cunningham was committed, Tie per
petrator of which dlabu!ica set yet remains
nnknown-thoush a strong impression APP
pears TO exist in the minds OF many persons
that Marley was the actor In that shocking
tragedy. Ills person correspondent la so ma
ny particulars. with the description OF man
t who was seen upon the road the day Miss
Cunningham was murdered, that no was ar
rested in this place anal at Harpers ferry 4.
though dismissed after examination. On bis
examination before ma glstrate here, he re
lated a conversation which ae said occurred
between him and gentleman of this place,
on the day the murder was committed. The
gentleman was referred, and confirmed the
fact of his having held some such converse
ton with an individual whom he Glanced TO
meet, but could not testify that Markley was
the person, nor that he bad ever SCI n him
before. Some time after this, he was arrest
ed as the rohber of Mr.. Ncwoy, and as has
been heretofore related, tried, convicted and
sentenced TO the Maryland Peniteniiary for
five ycars--wbere he broodcd over and che
rished the fiendish revenge which he after
i. 4 4 A
and for which he will soon have 10 expiate by
a fearful and lgnonnious death upon the
gallows.
When the criminal was placed in the bar
to receive the sentence Of the law, a solemn
stiffness pcrvaded the crowd that thronged
the Court ball; the chief Judge Buchanan
then addressed hin in an impressive manner
to The following effect:
After rigid and laborious examination OF
many Witnesses, and an attentive and patient
hearing of counsel in yonr behalf. who with
zeal and ability crcditable TO themselves
and worthy OF better cause, left undone in
coaduc ting your defence. nothing that ingc-
nuliy could suggest, YOU have been prenoun-
ced guilty by jury of your own choice,
OF the horrld crime Of murder of the first
degree, attended by circumstances disclosed
in evidence. of the most shocking charar ter,
for which you are doomed TO suffer the high
est and most solemn punishment known TO
the laws Of this state: whose sentence il has
become my duty as the organ of this court to
pronounce, duty to the discharge of which
approach with feelings correspondent to tho
appalling magnitude oil the offence with which
you stand charged, my deep, settled, and
painful conviction of your guilt, and the
awful sentence OF the penalty you have in
cured.
To die is the appointed lot of man, but
death in its mildest and least hdeuus form
is not devoid OF terrors even for such as are
best prepared TO die It's sad adicu 'twixt
soul and body until the coming of that day,
when at the sound Of the last trump, the por
tails Of the grave shall be thrown open, and
the earth be made 10 yield up IFS dead
And when il is inflicted as just and mer-
tied punishment for crime when a murderer
is called to yield up his life on the altar OF
retributiye Justice however obdnrate he may
have become, however scared his conscience,
and whatever outward appearance Of hardi
hood and insensibility he may assume, il is
difficult If not impossible for him to coDiem
plate it without horror, and An awful and IN
ward dread Of entering upon different and
an unknown state Of existence, in another
and an unknown world, with the staia OF
blood upon his hands, and the weight Ut WI
thering and consuming guilt pressing upon
his soul. Murder Of any degree, and under
any circumstances is shocking TO humanity
and he who is not lost TO every proper feeling
must ever turn from the contemplation OF il