The Woodville Republican. [volume] (Woodville, Miss.) 1847-1853, 1851-05-06

again where poor Hans still remained
pleading his own cause in the best possible
manner. He protested that he did not strike
"de goot man." but the by.standers insist
ed th t be had wiIfully and with malice
aforethought murdered an innocent man.
! They reminded hm that he had entered
town swearing vengeance against somebody,
aud that they were certain that he was after
/ Jess. mo, me goot shenteman. | pc
yer drunk. Me no kill me yer peaceable
man; | yer sor -. But his defence
was cut off unceremoniousy. He was con.
veyed in back room when court for his
trial was opened. The bar-keeper was
made Judge, Jess figured as prosecuting at
torney. and the rest of the audience seated
themselves in circle as Jurors. The charge
of the Judge was clear and to the point aud
the prosecuting attorney made the prisoners
guilt perfectly plain. Poor Hans, when
called upon to speak in his own defence,
merely asked for a drink of brandy which
was politely handed him by the Judge who
charged dime for his trouble, The jury
retired, and, after short absence, returned
with the horrible verdict that Huns must
be batrted dLtUet Poor Hans grew pale and
reeled as he was led OFT of the room to
await preparations for the execution of the
terrible sentence Prayers We're offered up
by one of the audience for the benefit of
poor Hans soul and another had lust be.
gun sermon, as negro entered with
large drygoods box, which was to be used
for Haus' coffin The prisoner was luform-
ed That all things were ready, and asked II
he had anything to say. Mine got goot
shendiemen, vat for you kill me? Ino gdiit
make much drouble. Bease. let me no
die !"
Poor Hans seemed perfectly mellowed
down; from the greatest bully he had sud
denly become the veriest suppIiant for mer-
cy. But he Was told he must die. The
sentence had been pronounced, and The ma-
lesty of the law must be Upheld Two or.
three now advanced towards the victim, for
the purpose of placing him in his coffin; but
Hans seemed determined to make use of
what strength he had. His huge arms and
massive legs flew at random with terrible
force; but the executioner summoned in
assistance, and some seized poor Hans by
the hands, some by the head, and others by
the feet and legs. "a trembling captive, he
was carried TO the fatal box, pleading most
pteously for mercy But the relentless ex-
ecutioner ordered him to be "et down into
the box" As Hans legs and arms became
loose from the posse, he made desperate
effort to rise; but was prevented by the lid
being put on, and firmly held till it was
nailed Poor Hans now became quiet, and
seemed resigned to his fate. He made no
farther effort to burst the box. After all
had been made secure, the executioner
whispered through crack of the box that
had been left for the ventilation of air, that
Hans would be left alone for one hour to
prepare for death that he would then be
taken to the grave and buried alive. He
spoke aloud to all present, and told them to
leave the victim alone TO his solitary
thoughts. The party retired, TO await fur
ther developments. In a few minutes
| Hans powerful legs began to play against
the side Cf the box, like Roman battering
rams and the spinters began to fly in all
ullC|Iioi@' oliS ttCtICHuOuo DloW Ouisteu
off half the lid, and all was silent for mo-
ment. The next development was Hans
ghastly face, as he raised his head to see if
any one was present. Satisfied that his way
was clear, he quietly extricated himself from
his bad box, and with the widest ina
ginable strides, took the most retired lirec.
ton for the road to the adjoining town.
Poor Hans hat, which he forgot in his
fight. is still preserved as a reject of day
of mirth among the citizens Of Pinevlle.