Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-01-04


that hair was recognized by many as
having been taken from the head OF
Eliza.
Baxwell protested lis innocence.
But the proof seemed strong against
him, and he was regularly brought to
trial. The result was his conviction
for the murder of his daughter, and his
condemnation to death.
On receiving sentence, the unhappy |
merchant trembled to excess, and af-
forwards seemed utterly overpowered
by the dreadful nature Of his situation.
He continued in a state almost of total
insensibiIity during the interval be-
tween his trial and the dY appointed
for his execution. On the prning OF
the latter day the jailor can TO an
nounce to htm, for the final til e, tina
the moment Of fate was at hand. The
merchant was seized again with Afear-
ful trembling, and he cried, wi It he |
had reiterated to all who saw him in
his confinement. "Beforsf ny maker,
1 swear that 1 am guiIbe/ pfmy chiId's
DEATH"
Theyled BIZ scafold.
There he fouAa hers, Will
liam Kat, who, a have been
said, was the most important witness
at trial, having repeated to the court
the threat of assassination which he had
uttered by James BaxwelL ,iNlis pres
ence against Eliza. No he
doomed merchant behol u
exclaimed, at the very I'd
fold, "My friend, in one
be in eternity. / wish ID edce
with all men. Give me 8aud-I
pardon you freely for fhei Try your
evidence has done to me Baxwell
said this with some com ure, but
the effect of his words upoi Katt was
very striking. He became pale as
death, and could not conceal the depth
Of his agitation!
Baxwell mounted the ste the
gallows slowly, and gave himS 10
the executioRer, to undergo by
the rope. According to the ut
custom Of Gibralter the exc her
commenced his last duties by q 3 in
a loud voice, "Justice is doing! stice
is done!" He then placed the black
bonnet on the head of the condemned
merchant, and pulled it down in front
so as TO cover his eyes. He had just
done this. when he was stopped in his
proceedings by a loud cry from the
side Of the scafold-"H IS I scho am
guilty!-I alOne!"
This cry came from William Kat.
The magistrates in attendance Instant
ly called him forward, and demanded
an explanation. The young man avow-
ed that he had carried off Eliza, with
her consent, TO be his wife, and that
she was nowresiding not far off, in con-
cealment. But 10 her he did not com
municate other measures which he had
taken, chiefly TO revenge himself for
the scorn Of her father. He had con-
trived to cut off portion of her hair
while she slept. He had cloued il
with the blood of lamb, and had also
sprlnkled in the same way a part OF
Ellza's dress, which he had purloined.
These articles he had placed in the
cave, and there, also, had he emitted
personally those cries, which he had
borne so heavily against the merchant.
The generous pardon which the mer-
chant hal bestowed on him at the scat
fold, had awakenedGhe young man
said) instantaneous remorse in his bos-
ON, and compelled him to avow the
truth.
This confession was partly made al
the scafold and partly afterwards. As
soon as Katt had spoken out decisive
ly, the executioner had turned to James
Baxwell to take from him the insignia
of death. The merchant, almost I'M
observed, had sunk down into sitting
posture. The black bonnet was drawn
by the executioner from off his eyes
: and head. 1t was found that he was a
corpse! No exertion had the slightest
effect in awakening in him the spark Of
life. The physicians, saying all they
I could on such subject, declared thai
; he had died from the effects of strong
imagination.
William Kat was conducted to
: prison amid the clamours of the popu.
lace, there to await judgment for hi.
misdeeds.
Eliza the unhappy daughter Of ar
! unhappy father, retired to a conven
for life, Immediately on learning al
that had passed
The CoTToN OF EAST INDIA he
increase Of production of cotton in the
: East Indies is tangibly presented in the
J annexed statement Of the commerce o.
, Bombay, taken from report of the
/, Chamber of Commerce ofthatcity and
II