Holly Springs gazette., 1845-07-19
EXECUTED ON CIRCUMSTAN-
TIAL EVIDENCE.

derce, Of murder. and hanged according &c
law. in sp te. almost, OF the internal convic-
tons Of his Judges A few hos~s before
The prisoners death, he addressed the fol-
lowing letter 20 the OIdinary:-
"a man whom ] have treated ss my
friend is tae murderer of Delarue. His
owa I'd mission Of the fact was the only
means of extricaling me from ibis unwor.
Thy end. He has not come forward. Had
caused hin TO be apprehended, he would
doubtIessIy have denied it. | have been
assu, ed that had | not been found guilty of
murder, should have been transported
for highway robbery. Such an alternative
mas failed TO induce me TO divnge what it
is my resolution TO let die within my bos-
ON. Let, then, this szu:aace ring Il the
mJrderer's cars that he is not only the
destroyer of Delarue. but me likewise. L
did not lIft hand gainst the deceased =
There may evea yel be found some harsh
enough to braid me adysng tiar,--but OIL
ifthey knew, what /. alas too we'll know,
they would see the wong thev do me. |
have Suffered to1 much. and am. while
writing this, too weak and heart-broken TO
quit this life an atheist. My sorrows have
been more than my strength (great as il has
came young mln who heard sentence Of
death passed wthout lhe distortion of a
muscle. My troubles both sleeping and a.
wake. have so shaken me that fad it
more casv 10 weep than smil4 Every ri
sing srn dispels he dark mystery Of fiatloi-
". Already, see death approaching m
with increasing sl:ides. At night when |
lay my poor aching head TO res, ere | can
close my eyes ruis forms 0fslane aad in
fanny a'teE1 my pillow, AMI Oh wAal
dreams. One moment aud all is plst. /
am again a home; every one cheering me
with eager hands and hearts al my return
no longer condemned, no La ger anhap-
py. Then 10 awake and fad myself
stretched on a hard bel, and surrounded
by iroE bars and gloomy walls. that deride
my anguish and mock al nv distress. THIS
is bitternes, indeedi Then talk not to me
ofthe awfulness ofdeath! Death Is the
only friend that can make amends for all
my wre,chedness For me to continue
such as am, were worsethau ten thou>
sand deaths Even death on scaffold that
shameful end, TO me is far more preferable
than none. | am heartily sick Of the
world tha has treated me as hough | had
always been criminal in It's estimation.
No one ever suspected me guilty Of al un-
la fIi breac until | came hither shi YET
no one would take me by the hand. Be
cause could spell and write, my poverty
was crime. TnInk you, then. my
Thoughts still linger behind, aud that wish
nv days were Ienewedl My hopes OF
heaven are worth Them all. My home and
an isolated friend here and there are my
only attractions, and | trust | shalt meet
them soon where all S light and joyous
where the love of God is the only mystery
--where holiness and pure intelleet go
hand in bald, and the tear of gra:,tu ude-
the only tear. May yol and |. my dear
sir, and all those who are dear TO rs, be
welcomed there, is the dying prayer
of Your poor unfortunate.
But faithful servant.
L. Fl. Hooker.
The R,v. Mr.. Davis, Ordinary.
The following particulars of the conduct
of the man, on the morning of his execution.
arc very painful:
The miserable cuf prit ate small break
fast of tea and toast which was supplied to
him shortly before O'clock aud afer
joining the Rev. Ordinary in his devoiions.
he appeared ready for tae moment TO ar
rive which should cot him of from the
world
Before 8 o'clock his strength began to
fail MIN very perceplibly. and ,he Rev. Mr..
Davis, who remained tlosetred with him,
fen i, necessary 10 advise tha. the prison
SURGEON should see him. A little water ad
minis,ered to the wretched man revived
him at this period. and a. abou: minutes to
s O'clock tue reporters fJr the press, and
some lew ofi:.als, accompanied .he govaF i
nor and sheriff into The condemned cell, al
one corner of which, neat the FIRE place,
Hooker stood erect.
Calcraft then approached him with the
pinioniug ropes in his hand, upon which
the nrisoner shat his eyes as lfbe could not
bear 10 look al them, and last as his hands
were used it became evident that he was
faintiar. Two of the ta nkeys rushed De-
hind him at the instant and caught him in
their arms, or he woald have fillen hal on
the floor. lie was then put into an arm
chair aud carried into the chapel yard.--
His neckclo:h having been removed ana
cold water dash ed upon his face, he partial
ly came to him self in TIVE or three minutes
hut then looked more dead thaa alive, SO
c,nnsetely were all his energies prosira-
led by tie mental agony waicn he suffered
HIS anguish appsased 10 a'ise from tne
dread OF death, and as lar as oae eouid
iadge ffo.t appearances hns was 'ao o"S
feeling which possessed MS 'nind-
As he sat in the chair II the yaEo. iitsis
wine was administered. The operation %
pinioning was flashed, and all bsing no"