The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1849-01-19
EXECUTION OF WILLIAM DAN.
BRIDGE EPES.

On Friday last, % December, 10 pur.
suance OF sentence passed by iha Hon.
Judge Nash, William DAudtdge Epes suf
'crcc the penalty Of the law for the crime
OF murder perpetra,ed on the body Of Fran
els Adolphus Muir, Esq, on the % day o
February, 1916.
! Al about 20 minutes TO l o'clock. the
prisoner, accompanied by the Rev. Messrs.
Hargravc and Wilhers, left the Jail. The
prisoner was dressed in his grave clothes,
(all while,) and with the exception of pale.
ness produced by confinement looked re
m,rkably well. His carriage was ercc,
aid his steps firm. Arrived at the spo, The
Rev. Mr.. Wllhefs addressed the multitude
collected, closing with prayer appropriate
10 the occasion.
The prisoner then mounted the cart, and
in clear. audible voice, indicating no signs
OF emotion, made the following remarks:
EPES' SPEECH.
'Gen,lemen, il was not my obi act TO have
anything to say on the present occasion, bu.
as it may do good avn determined TO say
something. have been charged with
many crimes. ! have been charged with
the murder Of hog drover-l have been
charged with the murder Of my mother in.
law-l have been charged with the murder
Of my son--and have been charged with
the murder Of my own servant but, gen.
,lemen, all these charges are false-a.'
false. Would to God could say as much
of that other charge. But Of tina, am
guilty. ! murdered Francis Adolphus Muir.
1 murdered him. lie fell by my hand. !
have regretted the act ever since i, was
commi!led-it has been before my eyes
ever since. | have the qualification to
state that believe he is in heaven, and
trust may meet hun there. 10 his dying
moments he said he hoped TO meet me there.
| hope shall NEE, hun there, and believe
| will NEE. him there, for trust IN God 8
promises.
'Gen,emen. have seen better days, and
many Of you know il. But when the
iemp,er is aroused we know not what we
may do. hope my fate may be q warning
for you to shun thy example. leave this
world at peace with all mankind. feel
that am oil peace with my God ,rus,
TO NEE, you all IN heaven
The Rev. Mr.. Withers then gave out the
hymn commencing,
How firm foundation re saints Of the Lord,
which was sung by the vast assembly 10 ad.
mrable harmony. The benediction was
pronounced, and the farewells were spoken
by the Rev. gentlemen, and many others
collected around. to oil of whom the crimi.
nal gave an audible goodbye He then
turned TO the crowd, saying good bye
TO you all, hope TO NEE. you all in heaven.
| The sheriff proceeded 10 the performance
Of the duties Of his office. While the pre-.
iminaries were arranging the criminal dis.
played the same forlilude that he had shown
throughou, the trial, and at the pronuncia.
ton Of the sentence. While the baudase
was being tied over his eyes, he mu,,ered
"Ashes to ashes, and dust to dust,
and oil things being ready the cart was
moved, and immediately the soul Of vii.
liam cambridge Epes was 10 the presence
Of i,s Creator aud its Judge.
lie died with scarcely struggle.
After the expiration Of an hour, the body
was cut down. when the neck wac found .c
{ have been broken. The body was laid in
, q coffin. furnished by the relatives Of the
deceased, and deposited in the Jail Of Din
widdio, to be on the next day Saturday
removed 10 the residence Of bis brother II
= Holloway county. Bes*ss.