Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-10-23

tiers "M. W." in one corner. True these
were the initials of Miles own name,
but her mother positively avowed she
owned no such article. Satisfied with
these circumstances, the officers at once
arrested w. From the.time the murder
was discovered, to that of VS. ar
rest was Just two hours.
The prisoner was hurried to the near.
est magistrate, and the evidence have
detailed before given. lin addition to
this, spots of fresh blood were found on
his coat sleeve, and as Woods had been
robbed Of some gold and silver coin, of a
peculiar character, two or three pieces
were found upon the unfortunate mans
person. This riveted the final link, and
the crowd grew furious. sLittle Millie,
so good, so loved and loving, all remem-
bered as child of their own, and she to
be butchered for gold-the law seemed
too slow and mild for vengeance; and
the great crowd, now swelled to hun.
dreds, swayed to and fro, shouting angri-
ly for blood.
A convict but lately from prison, has
tened forward with rope, threw it over
a post, while some of the citizens, in an
swer to this mere suggestion, hurried the
unfortunate prisoner towards the i'm
promptu gallows.
"Oh gentlemen~ screamed the young
man, frightened at what appeared his in
evitable late. "Have mercy upon me-.
am nnocent-indecd | am-have mer-
cy."
His voice was drowned in a roar from
the crowd. "Who had mercy on little
Mile? kill him, kill himp and again
they pushed him towards she fatal post.
"Oh, Godw cried the unhappy man,
in bitter anguish, and trembling like
child, "will no one pity me? ii have a
widowed mother-mercy, mercy-wait a
little while, only little while"
One, alone, answered this last appeal.
4 young lawyer, of eminent ability, and
personally popular, sprang forward, sew
cred the rope, and then in aclear, silvery
voice, that rung out high above the tu-
multi, said:
"My friends, be careful of your acts.
You are about to do what in this man
You condemn-an awful ,Easdsrs Chain
llfthh, down, do what you viii 70 secure
the criminal, but respect the law"
"And give squire B-a chance to
clear him." interrupted the convict have
mentioned.
"'To that man, fresh from the cells, |
have nothing to say but to you, my
companions, neighbors, friends, appeal,
earnestly appeal. Why will you do this
cruel thing! What right have you to
commit murder? How will you an.
swer to the Great Giver Of good for this f?
Where is your authority?'
Gle who sheddeth mans blood, by
man shall his blood be She'd" responded
a harsh, solemn voice, and the crowd
turning saw, where torch waved over a
stern, unfeeling face, the countenance Of
their preacher! 1t was time when the
gathered feeling, checked by some great
obstacle pauses in its rash career, and for
a moment there seems a doubt which
way the tide will how The awful pas.
sage so solemnly quoted, fell on the
crowd at that moment, when the slightest
word would have turned them from their
purpose, and, stimulated as it seemed to
them by a command from Heaven, they
once more seized their trembling captive,
when the old Captain, whom W had
importuncd for a passage, claimed to be
heard:
Comrades" said he, esquire B.
thinks we hadn't ought to hang this frl-
low. Well, I'll tell YOU what we'll do.
He wanted TO sail with me this day. He
shall do so. Well take him outside the
Bay, tie him in an open boat, and set
him adrirt. Then the Lord have mercy
upon him. What say you!"
A shout Of appreciation was the re.
sponsc, and they hurried W. to The
shore. In the meanwhile the storm
grew loud, and when in the dark night,
their torches beaten out by the wind and
rain, the great crowd heard the angry
waves dashing over the rude pier, their
courage failed, and seven only were
found ready for the enterprise. Clam
bering upon the deck, with their victim
in their midst, the cables were cut, and
the little bark, like frightened bird,
flew out to sea-
Perhaps no scene ever painted itself
on the canvass of real life so startling,
weird and strange as this. While the
stout,heartcd skipper stecred the bark,
the convict, assisted by four of his CON-
panious, tied VT to the open boat
and the preacher, kneeling upon the
deck, was heard betw n the pauses of
the thunder, far above waves and wind,
calling upon Heaven to bless their un-
holy act.
The open Lake was gained, and the
wretched man, regardless of his loud en-.
treatise and screams, was given to the
foaming waters. In a glare of lightning,
that was followed by deafening peal Of
thunder they saw their victim rise upon
huge wave, then plunge into darkness
ord doath bouond