Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-12-03
Capital Punishment.

Idplldl fWllSnlltnt.
In the Democratic Review of November,
1912, there was an account Of the trial Of
Harry Blake, for murder, who was convlc-
ted upon circumStantidl evidence and hung
About three months after his death, the Judge
who presided at the trial, received a note
from a prisoner under sentence of death, re-
q%uesting to see him without delay, as his
sentence was to be carried into effect the day
following. On his way thither he overlook
an old man walking slowly, who accosted
him and recognized him 10 be Caleb Gray
son, " no had been a witness at Blake's trial,
and had a similar note of his own, but
equally at a loss to know the meaning of
the They both entered the cell
together. The prisoner did not move, but
only raised his head, when Grayson recog-
niZed having seen him at a tavern the
night before Blake's execution and at the gal
lows.
"Well, Judge" said he, 81 sent for you to
see if you can't get me out OF this scrape.-
Must | hang to- morrow"
The Judge shook his head; ''It's idle to
hope, nothing can prevent your execution"
'An application might be made to the high
est authorities" said the prisoner. "Par-
ions have CONF sometimes even on the scat
fold"
"None will come in your case" replied
the Judge; il is needless for me to dwell on
your offence now; but it was one that had
no palliation, and you may rest assured, that
whatever may have occurred in other cases,
no pardon will com in yours. In fact, |
| understand that an application has been
made for one by your counsel, and has been
refused"
The features of the prisoner underwent no
change; nor did the expression of his face al
ter in the least. But after a moments pause,
he said: ais this true Judge-upon your hon
orr
at is" replied the Judge.
'Then | know The worst" replied the Grim
inal, celdly, sand will now tell what ! have
to communicate, which | would not have
done, while there was any hope of escape
You," said he, turning TO the Judge, "presi-
ded at the trial of young Harry Blake, who
was accused of murder, and sentenced him
10 DEATH"
~ did,"
sand you," said he, turning to Grayson,
"were one of the Witnesses against him.
You swore that you saw him stab Wicklif-
fe. On your testimony principally he was
hung"
II was" replied the old man; 81 saw him
with my own eyes"
The prisoner uttered a low s~neering laugh
as he said, turning to the Judge
"YOu, sir, sentenced an innocent man."
"And YOU" said he, turning to the other,
''swore 10 a falsehood. Harry Blake did not
kill Wicklife. He was as innocent of the
sin of murder as you were-more innocent
than you are now.
The old man staggered as if he had been
struck, and leaned against the table to sup
port himself, whilst the condemned felon
stood opposite him, looking at him with a
cold indifferent air.
"Yes, old man. said he %sternly, "you have
blood and perjury on your soul, for l.. l."
said he stepping forward, so that the light Of
the lamp fell strongly upon his savage fea-
lures, II murdered William Wicklife! Ibid
it! Thank God ! did it, for l had a long
score to settle with him. But Blake had no
hand in it. met Wickliffe on that afternoon
alone-with none to interfere between u.s.
| told him of the injuries he had done me,
and told him that the time was come for re.
dress. He endeavored to escape; but | fol.
lowed him up; | g~rappled with him and stab
bed him. AS did so, | heard the clatter OF
horses hoofs, and | leaped into a clump oil
bushes which grew at the road side At thai
moment Blake came up, and found Wicklifft
0 lying uedu III tne ROAD. 1Ou know the rest
The tale he told was true as the gospel. HI
was only attempting to draw the knife from the
. mans breast, when you came up and charged
1 him with the murderi"
: "Good God! Can this be possiblei" ejac
: ulaied the old man. at cannot. Villain
4 you are a liar! !"
"Pshaw!" muttered the man. "Wha
could ! gain by a lie! Tomorrow ! die"
: IL don't believe i'll don't believe it!'' ex
claimed Grayson, pacing the cell and wiring
: ing his hands. "God in mercy grant that
may be false! that this dreadful sin may no
! be upon mel"
y The prisoner sat down, and looked at III
Judge and the witness with acalmness whic
y had something almost fiendish in it, whe
contrasted with the extreme agitation OF IN
e one, and the mental agony Of The other.
< Al last the old man stopped in front Of hin
and with a calmness so suddenly assumed !
the midst Of his paroxysm Of remorse that
even oveTawed the criminal, said: You al
" one whose life has been a tissue of falsehoo
and crime. You must prove what you hav
said, or I'll not believe it,"
"Be it so," replied the prisoner, 81 sa
the whole transaction, and heard all your te
X timony at the trial; for l was there too. l.
Is now tell you what occurred at the spot Of Il
'e which ] saw. When you rode up, the ma
Z with you jumped off his horse and seize
d Blake by the collar; your hat fell off on Il
y pommel ofyour saddle, but you caught
d before it reached the ground. You thu
D. sprang of your horse, andSwhilst Waltz