The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1846-02-18
INTERESTING VARIETIES.
A Tale of Sorrow.

The Albany Citizen says, names and places
might be given if necessary, in ver6caton of the
following facts:
A man Of standing and property, named Ma
or VIM. w., of Connecticut, was blessed
with family Of kind, intelligent and obedient
sons. Two of them-the eldest and best beo-
we'd early received each his portion, and took
their several ways to distant portions of the coun-
try, intent upon establishing themselves in the
world, and carrying out their own fortunes
They we're each possessed of an excellent COM
mon school--Connecticu common school--edu-
cation; and were well calculated to "make their
way in the world"
They departed with a fathers and mothers
blessing resting upon them, and we're remember
ed with tears, and earnest, hopeful suppicatjons
before the throne Of mercy, ere their first days
travel was ended
A period of nine years rolled happily by, and
among the innumerable changes wrought during
that time, was the removal of Major W.
from the land of steady hsbits-glorous, fondly
remembered, ever loved Connecticut to the
"far West"-a comprehensive term,which means
any locality between Western New York and
the Pacific Ocean.
He was a man of sterling character; a true
New Englander; intelligent, persevering, honest,
shrewd, and withal httle ambitious. The ma
lor dabbled much in politics, and being good
practical writer and speaker, in year or two
revolutionised the whole county in which he
was settled Gratitude and political power re-
warded him first with seat IN the state Legis-
ature, and second with the sheriffalty.
A better sheriff than MAJOR w -, that coun-
Ity had never been favored with. During the
first year of his administration the salulary ef-
fects of his perseverance and good counsels
we're seen and felt.
During the second year Of his official life, a
notorious vagabond known through the country
las Bill Winchelsea, alias Caukns, alias Ford,
and half dozen othernames after a long course
of petty crimes, and repeated convictions was
at length charged with the perpetrato of q foul
murder. A widow, who resided mile or two
from the county town, and who was reported
wealthy, was found early one morning in June
lying upon the floor of her barn few rods from
her house, with her throat cut and her body aw
fully mangled with an axe. 1t was known that
Wnchesea had been at the house late the eve.
ming previous, and that he declared he would
lodge there that night. Soon as the murder wai
discovered, search was made for him, and he
could nowhere be found. Suspicion naturally
settled upon him, and the hue aud cry was
given.
Sheriff W sent out his deputies and a
strong posse, and accidentally receiving infor,
nation which led hin to believe the murderer
had fled down the Mississippi, he instantly set
out alone in hot pursuit He traced what he
i,oI;o bo a. G
down as far as st. Louis, and there lost it en-
tirely, and gave up the chase as fruitless. AS he
was preparing to return, he was taken suddenly
i'll of fever, and for many weeks lay in a halt
delirious and critical state. At the end of tina
time he began to convalesce, and ere long reco-
vered so far as 10 be able to return home
During his absence, Wnchelsea had been ap
pretended, tried, convicted upon proof so posi-
tive that the jury found a verdict of "Guty o
wlfuI MURDER" without leaving their box, anc
sentenced TO the ignominious death of the scat
fold.
| Major W reached home on the dav ap
pointed for the execution. Being yet feeble, he
begged to be relieved from the painful duty o
hanging the poor wretch, and it accordingly fel
upon one of his deputies.
| ue HOul llACu upOH lot lHe UTedQIul IluTuC
which the law has legalized came round. A
that moment messenger arrived 10 inform Ma
jor W that the deputy had fallen upon the
scaffold IN an apopleptic fit, and that the execu
lion stayed his arrival. There was no aIterna.
tive. The sheriff, though weak, and totally un
fit for the terrible task, felt it to be his duty tC
promptly obey the summons.
In few minutes a rolling, heavy hum, and al
unusual commotion in the ranks of the thousand.
gathered to behold the shameful death of fe
low creature, gave evidence of the arrival of the
sheriff. The culprit was dressed for the grave
the fatal rope encrcled his neck, the cap drawn
over his face by the deputy before the fit took
him, at his request, remained as it had been ad
Ijusted. A brief prayerwas offered up TO God il
behalf of the poor wretch, whose last minute had
come. The clergyman and the sheriff then iooI
him by the hand and bade him farewell AL
things we're ready. The vast crowd we're hush
ed TO breathless silence. With sudden move
ment the sheriff cut the cord, the drop fell, the
murderer was hanging by the neck between the
heavens and the earth.
A few convulsive struggles and all was over
justice was satisfied. The multitude dispersed
| to their homes.