Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1843-06-16
BILLY FANE'S ESCAPE FROM
HANGING.

nohcSN SoIt el fellow, by the name of
William Fame, or as he was raniliory
called, Billy Fame. Billy was fond of
whlskey, anI when under its potent and
deoasing influence 50 .netines became
annoying to those about him. Il hap.
Pened % a bright summers in the
month OF August that Billy found him.
sell IN the store Of Joshua PettinCale n
Co. found Billy exceedingly noisy and
trou Olesome, and forthwith tunrblcd hi n
out Of the door iato the highway: lie
reeled TO the shade of u neightorinp
tree,and stretched himself at full length
on the green turf, and soon was fast n
sleep. Dinnertrme came and Pettingale
d Co. left tho store for their dwelino.
after slightly fastening the door. In
the mean tune Billy awuke, a good deal
sobered by his long nap in the open air.
and entertained serious thoughts of pro.
ceedlng homcward, when he discovered
his hat was missing. To 90 TO the store.
try the dor, aad after finding it fast,
with gentle force urging it open, to pick
his hat from the fio)r, put IT on, and
stralghtway start home, was the work
oil very few moments. Now, when the
worthy vendors Of various com nod 1ties
returned 10 their warehouse, they were
astDnisheI TO find the door unrasteneJ
and ajlr. They lookel to the lank
shelves TO see if any Of their wares and
merchandise was missing: they sought
the s'umbering Billy, he had fed. The
flight of poor Billy was confirmation
strong that he was the culprit, and in
less than no Time constable was des.
patched with a warrant from Justice
Noodlebury for his immediate arrest i
The constable found Billy quietly al
work on his lltlle strip ofland, and i'm
forming him Of his business bade him
follow on 10 the domicil OF the worthy
magistrate. Mr. Justice of The Peace
Noodlebury vas one Of your sedate,
good natured, benevolent, and very
honest men, but was not half as we'll &C
quainted with the law as the late judge
Of the Criminal Court Of Mississippi.
and when Billy was ushered into his
presence he was seated in an old fash
Toned arm chair, with writing materials
and a bound volume containing the
laws OF the State before him. There
was no counsel OIL either side, Messrs.
FetIIngale & Co. told their story, which
was corroborated by several witnesses.
two of whom saw BiIly's forcible entry
IN their premises, aud then Billy tod
his tale, IN his own plain straight for.
ward way. After the parties had been
heard, the Justice ordered long and
thoughliully. The case was a clear one,
and Billy Fame was undoubtedly guilty |
OF burglary! The Squire purspectacles |
on nose, and turning to the law relative
to the case, to his horror found the pun
lshment was death, and not knowing
there was any such thing Us d trial bv
jury, alter some preliminary remarks
proceeded to sentence Billy to be hung
on certain day. Billy Of course re.
monstraied, but the Justice told him
that, though he believed he had spoken
the truth in relation to the affair, vel
by the letter Of the law he was guilty. of
burglary, and the penalty Of the law
was death to any person convicted
thereof.
There were no jails in that portion of
the State al that time land Billy returned
TO his home with a sorrowing heart
The caresses of his wife and the limo.
cent prattlc Of the Juvenile Fanes failed
to rouse him from the dee detection of
spirits he had fallen into. He knew on
ly that on q certain day he had got to
go and be hung, and that caused him ex
ceeding disquietude. lie stroye to la
Dor In his field for day or two, but the
horror Of his situation rendered him
,Powerless. The day fixed OIL for his
execution drew on apace. and Billy's
anxiety Of mind was horrible. Unable
any longer to bear up under the thoughts
that oppressed him, he went to the ma.
gistrate 10 learn if any thing could pos
sIbly be done 10 save his neck fnom the
halter. The Squire condoled with him,
commlserated his hard fate and express
ed deep sorrow that the stern mandate
Of the law required sacrifice so great
but there was the law, and he, its sworn
administrator, could do nothing but SOC
its requirements fulfilled. Squire Moo.
dlebury could devise no way to save
Billy, unless on a fair representation of
the case being made 20 the Governor he
should interPose he executive clemen.
cy and pardon him. Accordingly he
made fair statement Of the case, voucb-
ing Tor Billy's honesty, and, regrettinr
the necessity that had compelled him to
pass the sentence Of death on HIM, beg
ged his Excellency to pardon him.
The next day saw Billy Fame mount
cd on a stout gelding, making his way
with all convenient speed to the capital
some four days ride distant,to cndeavor
10 procure a pardon from TIE Governor.
Arrived at the Governors house, Billy
entered, found his excellency at home,
and with great humility handed him