The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1852-10-16


Judge, you are yainly wasting the
few moments that are left you on earth.
You are IN the hands OF those who must
have your life. No human power can
save you. Attempt to utter cry, and
you are seized, and your doom COM
Pleted before you can utter another
Every one present has sworn solemn
oath never TO reveal the proceedings of
this night; they are known to none bur
ourselves; and when the object for
which we have met is accomplished.
We shall diSperse unknown to any one.
Prepare. then. for death; other five
minutes will be allowed, but no more.n
The untQTtunate man in an agony of
deadly terror rayed and shrieked for
mercy; but the avengers paid no heed
to his crles. His fevered trembling lips
then moved as if in silent prayer; for
he telt that the brief space between
him and eternity was but as few more
tIckngs OF that ominous watch
Now !" exclaimed the Judge.
-Four persons stepped forward and
seized DoWnle, on whose features d cold
ciammy sweat had burst forth. They
barred his neck, and made him kneel
before the block.
Strlke1 1@ exclaimed the Judge.
The executl0neH struck the axe on
the floor; an assistant on the opposite
SIDE lifted at the same moment wet
towel, and struck it across the neck ofI
the recumbent criminal. A loud laugh |
announced that the joke had at last
come 10 an eud.
But Downle responded not to the up
roarlons merrment - they laughed |
agaln-bnt still he moved aot-they |
lifted him, and Downie was dead!
Fright had killed him as efectuaIlv
as II the axe OF real headsman had
severed his head from his body.
II was tragedy to all The medical
students tried TO open avein. but all
was over; and the conspilators had now
to hethink themselves of safety. They
now In reality swore an oath amono
themselves and the atfriehted voun6
men, carrying their DISCUSSES with
them, LETT the body Of Downie lying in
the hotel One of their number told
the landlord that their entertainment
was not yet quite over, and that they did
not Wish the individual that was left in
the room 10 be disturbed for some hours
lhlS Was 10 give them all time to make
theft escape
Next morning the body was found
Judicial inquiry was instituted. bu, no
result could be arrived at, (;
The corpse OF poor Dowuie exhibited
no mark OF violence internal or exter-
nal. The lll-will between him and the .
students was known it was also known ,
nat The Stude6tsAhad hired apartments /
n the hotel for a theatrical representa- $
lon-that Downie had been sent for by {
hem; but beyond this, nothing was
Known. No noise had been heard, and
10 proof OF murder could be adduced.
)f two hundred students al the college.
Who could point out the guilty or sus-
'ected fifty Narrower, the students .
we're scattered over the city, and the Il
magistrates themselves had many of Il
heir own families amongst the num-
yer: and II was not desirable to 90 into H.
ne affair too infinitely. Dowuie's wild
W and family were provided for-and
rs slaughter remained mystery, un-
Il, about fifteen years after lis occur
ence, a gentleman on his death-bed ,s
isclosed the whole particulars, and
vowed himself to have belonged 10 :,
ne obnoxious class of students who Of
Inrdered Downie fl