The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-08-27
"For the murder of Millie Woods" was

Millie Woods, a little girl only ten or twelve
years Of age. was the only child Of re-
spectacle parents, living within mile o.
s., and her sprightly loveliness had
won the affection Of the villagers. The
circumstances attending her death were as
follows: The parents, as was frequently
their custom, left their house in charge OIL
Millie, and had been the greater part Of the
day making purchases and visiting in the
village. Hurrying home before the COM
ing storm. the agonized parents found their
house robbed and their child brutally mur.
dered. The news spread rapidly, and
soon the curious and cooler neighbors
were examining all marks of violence tina,
had been left about the premises. The
house, a large frame one, stood some dis.
tance from the road. The front door was
found open, all the inner doors unlocked
or broken open, and every chest, drawer,
press or cupboard forced, and their con.
tents scattered over the floor. In the gar.
ret to which the poor little creature had
probably fled, Milie was found covered
with blood that flowed from stab in her
side, her little hand grasped an old bed
post, while around her neck white hand
kerchief was slightly knotted.
Upon the floor Of the hall one ofthe neigh.
bors picked up squirrel with one fore
paw gone, and his head lped by rifle
ball. A young man who had been chop
ping wood in a neighboring grove imme-
diately recognized it as one w had
shot that afternoon; he was by aud picking
it up remarked to W the excellent
shot. W left him in the direction OF
Woods house, with the squirrel in his
hand. The handkerchief unwound from
Miles neck had the letters Nj. w in one
corner. True these were the initials of
Miles own name. but the mother posi-
lively avowed she owned no such article
Satisfied with these circumstances the Off
Ger at once arrested w. From the
time the murder was first discovered to
that Of VS. arrest was just two hours.
The prisoner was hurried to the nearest
and the circumstances given
before him. In addition to this, spots of
fresh blood was found on his coat sleeve,
and Woods had been robbed Of some gold
and silver coin Of peculiar character, two
or three of the pieces were found upon the
unfortunate mans person. This rivited
the final link, and the crowd grew furious.
Little Mille, so loved and loving, all re.
as a 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 hundreds,
swayed TO and fro, shouting angrily for
blood.
A convict but lately from prison, hasten.
ed forward with rope, threw it over the
post, while some of the citizens in answer
to his mute suggestion, hurried the unfor.
lunate prisoner towards the impromtu gal.
lows.
"Oh, gentlemen!' screamed the young
man frightened at what appeared his ine-
vitable iate-"have mercy upon mel am
innocent-indeed am-have mercy"
His voice was drowned in roar from
The crowd. "Who had mercy on little
Mile? kill him! kill him!" and again they
pushed towards the fatal post.
"Oh, God!" cried the unhappy man in
bitter anguish and trembling like child.
will no one pity me? have widowed
mercy-wait little while
only little while"
One alone answered this last appeal.
young lawyer of eminent ability, and per-
sonally popular, sprang forward, severed
the rope, and then in clear silvery voice
that rung out high above the tumult, said:
:"My friends, be careful OF your acts.
You are about TO do what, in this man you
awful murder. Chain him
down, do what you will to secure the GRIM
inal, but respect the law"
Sand give Squire B chance to
clear him." interrupted the convict have
"To that man fresh from the cells, have
nothing to say. But to you, my compan-
s,neighbors and friends | appeal-earn-
estly appeal. Why will you do this cruel
thing! What right have you to commit a
murder? How will you answer to the
great giver Of all good for thisl Where is
your hulnOrlty! L5ti.aH lf ~ o
"Whosoever sheddeth mans blood by
man shall his blood be shed," responded
harsh solemn voice, and the crowd turning
saw where torch was waving over stern,
face, the coun,enance of their
preacher! 1t was time when gathering
feeling, checked by some great obstacle,
pauses in its rash career, and for mo-
ment there seems doubt which way the
tide will flow. The awful passage so sol.
emnly quoted, fell on the crowd at that mo-
ment, when the slightest word would have
turned them from their purpose, and, stim.
ulated as it seemed to them by command
from heaven, they once more seized their
trembling captive, when the old captain,
whom w had importuned for pass
age, claimed to be heard:
Comrades" said he, esquire B
thinks we hadn't ought to hang this fellow,
Well, ] tell you what we'll do. He want
ed TO sail with me tonight. He shall do
30. Wen take him outside the bay, lie
him in an open boat and Get him adrift.