Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1835-10-15
and sentenced to Punishment from, the State IN 4s

the death of Captain Perkins. aud The fear Of
Blake's rescue. Mr.. Albert q Bcnuct was inn
mcdiately despatched with party OF 30 l.orscmen
Ia co lduci Blake 10 Livingston whom he mel
der escort Of 4 party irom ieksburgh, and, safely
conducting him on, delivered him over to the eon-
mittoc, who, after short examination, sentenced
Inn 10 be hanged the 10Th inst, between the
hours OF and Io'eloek I. NJ.
The report of the proceedings at Nicksbnrgh,
were this day cohrmcd, and were related as follow,
BY several respectable persons.
In consideration Of the alarming state of the
ncighhorood at and about Nicksburgh, its citizens
ISSUED an ordnance that all gamblers aud other
suspicious persons oi Ill fame should forthwith
quit the precinct, OF the town, Sticks law should
be administered 10 whomsoeycr refused. Five
gamblers, North, Adams, McCail, Dutch Bill and
another, name not reeollcced. vetoed the ord-
nance, and bctook tho nscl,cS 20 a house which
thcy barr cadcd aud, arnel with pis.ol, and
kni,es, prepared to defend themselves against any
force which might be attempted by the citizens,
which they anticipated by their preparations.
The citizens, appraised Of ticr resolution, de-
tcfmincd 10 enforce the ordinance, aud, after ar
resting to whip them from the town. The gam
blcrs refusing to surrender tho citizens commenced
! to force the house. and III that attempt Dr. Bodley
Il most valuable and highly respectable citizen,
! who lived In the hearts OF the connunit, was shot
dead by one OF the five gamblers.
The citizens, Infatuated by the murder OF their
lcSefed and cnlcrpr,iug comridc returned their
fire, which wounded one Of the party, and rushing
forward, oyerp0wcrcd and secured them when,
huffAing them To convenient place of execution,
without delay hanged the five. 4 party immed-
alalt wont III pursuit OF Il number of gamblers who
had halted Al the race ground, u few miles from
the town, with the determination Of hanging them
i likewise: lul "a nj Then, afi,r,
enccng their escape, their lives were spared on
condition OF their quitting the country ior ever, and
being Slickcd, were DISCHARGED.
l. appears. therefore, that these persons were
moi hanged on account Of their profession, nor on
account Of their disobcying the ordinance of the
citizens, but on account Of their killing a worth,
and iavortc citizen; and by their own ra,hncss de-
solvcd upon themselves the wrath Of cnragcd
poPnlacc.
Thursday, Jaig oM.-This day, several men
were discharged, alter undergoing an examination
before the committee, and others brought into
lhc town, aad delivered over to the guard for cx-
amiQaton.
Eday, July l0h.-At : o'clock, p. NJ Rml
Blake was taken under g,ard 10 the Smiths shop,
where his IRONS were knocked of. After washing
llls lace and hands, and dressing hin.cll nearly IN
a sui oi white, he conducted to the gaows,
! "a rude one, hastily erected, by two forks sunk in
the ground and Il pole across in the centre OF tue
town. He approached ii with a steady and unial-
tcring step. At length, arrived at the foot of the
gallows, and okmg up, his soul seemed to tlembc
within al the awful Journey it was about to under
! take, and his eyes filled with tears He struggled
10 recall his scattered senses, which at length re-
TUNED to his relief lie inquired for one or two per-
sons, and having requested them to attend to some
worldly concerns, shook hands and bid them diei
Being asked by OF the committee if he desired
to say any thing publicly, he addressed the multi
tnde IN the following words:
Gentlemen, havcbnta few short moments To
tarry among vou when shall be hurried of III
icrly nnprcparod ior the Journey into the presence
! Of the great and might, God, Shroudcd with sins
and lmpcrcctlonS and II | was as innocent of all
other sins, as ann OF the charge for which am
now abou, 10 suffer, would not, as | now do fear
the approach of death. And now, before man
llrom whom shah shortly cscapc,) and Almighty
and Eternal God, Onto whose presence | must Il,
shortly appcar,) do mos, solemn, deny the CHARGE
which has been alleged against me, and as sol
emnlv do invoke the wrath and mprccations oi
lleas enill am not utterly and alb, outclv innocent
do not blame the Committee believe they
have been Influenced by the best motives, for the
benefit of the community. think the evidence
addueed to them was amply sufficient to warrant my
condemnation. But am moi less innocent on that
account"
lie called upon Nj Hatch, a divine, who Off
ciatcd in his professional capacity, then aseen-
ding the eallowS wtha firm step, seemed to throw
back the fold, OF terror, and defy the shafts of death
The rope being adjusted around his neck, he was IL
gain asked ithc had any thing iurhcrto say 10 which
lac replied, " No more, except to protest my inno-
cencc. bear malice towards no one. NAV God
have mercy upon my soul! | am ready"
The ndl> ldual who was appointed to irk loose
the drop, failing 10 execute it, and Blake (whosc
face wa, uncovered by requc>t) observing the fail
nrc, sprang from the scatlold launching his soul
INTO that terrible ABYSS from whence no traveller
returns.
Blake was native OF Connecticut had resided
IN Madison county about years, occupied as IA
cotton gin maker, wheelwrieht and carpenter was
remarkable for industry and perseverance, b, which
he had accumulated some property. vested in 4 or
, negroes, (whom he directed to be cmancpatrd
after his debts were paid,) assumed an honest APP
pcarancc, but was totally destitute of principle or
morality. Tie about % years of age SIX feet
/ high, well made and athletic blue eyes, light
brown tim hair, hieh forehead, even featured but
still a downcaSt look
/ Jniyll VEN, l3th, and l4th.-Thc commit
tee have cachday been engaged in examining pris-
oners, and have discharged great many. greater
number of strangers have been seen in this part
OF the State than has been usual and several res.
pcctahlc persons, some from Alabama, GEORGIA
South Carolinia, and Virginia, who were explor-
ING the country, have been arrested, examined,
and dl,charccd No umbraoc was taken by any