Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-05-29

John YOuHg's Case.
| REFUSAL TO suBMfT TO THE ExEcuTioNER.
Most ofthe unfortunate beings whomthe
law dooms to die. however they may con-
fess the justice Of their sentence, would
gladly escape the execution Of it. But,
Notwithstanding this, very few. being con-
vinced Of the hopelessness of their case,
think Of attempting struggle with the con-
stituted authorities when the fatal day ar
rives. Such an effort they feel must be vain;
and the pain of an additional defeat would
only add to the bitterness Of death.
There have, however, been some instan-
ces in which the sufferer has resisted till
the last. A sad an extreornary scene was
presented in Edinburgh, December 10.
1850. A serjeant in Lord Ancram's regi-
ment OF foot had been doomed to die for
vending false notes of the Royal Bank of
Scotland. He bitterly repined a, his fate,
considering the crime not deserving ofdca,h,
and that others implicated init were more
guilty than he. whose lives nevertheless
were spared. He firmly resolved not to
surrender himselfto the hangman. Though
he had no longer hope of pardon, as he
had been sentenced to die between two
and four o'clock in the afternoon, il will be
seen he conceived an idea that il he could
battle the officers of justice I'LL the latter
hour had struck, his object would be gain
ed, and they would not dare then to con-
duct him to the scafold How to get
through those two important hours became
the unhappy mans care The accounts Of
the time detail what occurred on the day
fixed for his punishment. The magistrates
appointed to witness the ceremony assem-
bled about two o'clock at the prison door.
accompanied by the proper officers, the
guard, and multitude spectators. The
magistrates, attended by two clergymcn,
went to the prisoner, and having read over
to him the sentence, asked his objections to
the same. Young answered that he had
none; but desired leave to retire short
time with the two reverend ministers, for
ghostly consultation, which being granted,
he went with them to the iron room, where
he had been confined since sentence. AZ
ter talking with them he begged they would
allow him to spend few minutes in pri-
vate devotion-which seeming reasonable,
they withdrew, and he ushered the clergy
man to the outer door of his apartment,
which shutting behind them. he retired to
the inner room, and Immediately bolted the
door,
The officers of justice, after waiting some
time, surprised at his delay, endeavorcd to
open his door, which, to their great sur
prise, they found bolted. They knocked
and desired him to come out. NO" said
he, 'in this place am resolved to defend
my life to the utmost of my power" The
door was attempted to be forced, but it be-
ing Of iron, in vain were the most violent
endeavors used for that purpose. The
lord provost was sent for. The city clock
was stopped, and surprise and expectation
appeared in every face. A considerable
time being spent to no purpose in forcing
the door, that attempt was given over, and
the only possible method OF getting in was
found to be by breaking up the floor OF the
room over the prisoner, which was affected
in about two hours. A passage being o.
pened, gun was presented in order toter
rify him, and compel him to open the door
This had not the desired effect; for he said
as he lived, SO he desired 10 die, ike a sol
der The man who had the gun being a
little remiss. Young made a leap up, laid
hold of the muzzle, and pulled it down,
threatening to shoot the first man that dar-
ed to enter; but the gun was unloaded,
which prevented such catastrophe. Re
wards were offered 10 such Of the city
guards as would seize him; and after sew
eral refusing, one had the courage to go
down, whom Young welcomed with vi
| olent blow on the breast from the butt-cnd
of his gun, that laid him on the ground
Had Young been armed with a sword or
bayonet, it is likely the fate of the first ad-
venturer would have stopped the attempts
OF second but he having only an empty
musket, and the passage being wide, three
or four more jumped in at once, and, after
violent struggle, overpowercd and bound
the unhappy victim. Still refusing to walk,
the door was opened and Young was drag
ged headlong down stairs, in a most de-
plorable condition. When brought out,
he asked if it was yet four o'clock, (as in
deed it then was;) J but being answered
that he should be hanged wercit past eight,
he Immediately composed himself to suffer
that so much dreaded death. Still he re-
fused being accessory to his own murder
by walking, as usual, to the place of exc
cution. He was therefore forced into a
cart, the hangman sitting beside him and
holding the end ofthe rope, which was i'm
mediatcly put about his reck. In this
manner the unfortunate man was dragged
to the place Of execution, amidst thousands
Of amazed spectators-where again rcfus
ing TO ascend the scafold, he was carried
up by the guard and after about fifteen
minutes, being nearly half past four and
almost dark, he was hanged by the neck
till he was dead. The poor man had serv-
cd IN the army many years with reputa-
ton. He was beloved by his comrades,
having never before been convicted of the
least offence.
Not the least singular part Of this re-
markable narrative is the incident Of the
city clock being stopped, as if that would
save the point Of law and arrest the march
Of time.
Arrest Of Cuba Israders.--Samuel J.
kookogey and Mr. Rawlson,wcre brought
to Savannah from Florida, on Monday, in
charge ofthe U. S. Marshall, charged with
having been officers of a company from
Columbus, INTENDED fortheinvasionofCu G uba.
They gave bail to appear at an examination
on the arrival Of the U. S. Cutter Taney,
now cruising on the Florida coast. The
Savannah News mentions rumor,t that 300
men are under arrest on the Satilla river.
The encampment at Burnt Fort is entirely
broken up.-Bah. Clipper.
w. w. Corcoran Of Washington adver-
tises for proposals for the erection Of eight
dwelling houses Of the first class. After
completion he proposes Offering thorn IN