Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-09-01
peared came forward, and prepared to act


the part of doomster.
It was now past midnight, there was NJ
sound audible save the ominous ticking O
the Judges watch. Downie became mor'
and more alarmed.
"For any sake, gentlemen" said the ter
rifed man, 'let me go home. promise
that you never again shall have cause TO
complaint
"Richard Downie," remarked the judge
"you are vainly wasting the few moments
that are left you on earth. You are in tht
hands of those who must have your life
No human power can save you. Attemp
to utter one cry, and you are seized, ane
your doom completed before you can utter
another. Every one here present has sworr
solemn oath never to reveal the proceed
ings of this night they are known to none
but ourselves; and when the object fol
which we have met is accomplished, we
shall disperse unknown to any one. Pre-
pare, then, for death other five minutes
will be allowed, but no more"
The unfortunate manin an agony of dead
ly terror raved and shrieked for mercy
but the avengers paid no heed to his cries
His fevered, trembled lips then moved as
if in silent prayer; for he felt that the briet
space between him and eternity was but a
few more tickings of that ominous watch.
CHOW % exclaimed the Judge.
Four persons stepped forward and seized
Dowuie, on whose features cold clammy
sweat had burst forth. They barred his neck,
and made him kneel before the block.
"Strike !'' exclaimed the judge.
The executioner struck the axe on the
floor; an assistant on the opposite side lift
ed at the same moment wet towel, and
struck it across the neck of the recumbent
criminal. A LOUD laugh announced that the
joke had at last come to an end.
But Downie responded not to the uproari-
GUS merriment laughed again-but
still he moved no:-they lifted hun, and
Downie wps dead
Fright had killed him as efectually as if
the axe of real headsman had severed his
head from his body.
1t was a tragedy to all. The medical
students tiled to open vein, but all was
over; and the conspirators had now to be-
think themselves of safety. They now in
reality swore an oath among themselves /;
and the afrighted young men, carrying
their disguises with them, left the body Of
Downie lying in the hotel. One of their
number told the landlord that their enter
tainment was not yet quite over, and that
they did not wish the individual that was
left in the room to be disturbed for some
hours. This was to give them all time TO
make their escape.
Next morning the body was found. Ju-
dical inquiry was instituted, but no salts
factory result could be arrived at. The
corpse of poor Downie exhibited no mark
of violence internal or external. The ILL
will between him and the students was
known: it was also know that the students
had hired apartments in the hotel for the
atrical representation-that Downie had been
sent for by them but beyond this, nothing
was known. No noise had been heard and
no proof of murder could be adduced. Of
two hundred students at the college, who
could point out the guilty or suspected fiftyi
Moreover the students were scattered over
the city, and the magistrates themselves
had many of their own families amongst
the number, and it was not desirable to 60
into the affair too minutely. Downie's wild
ow and family were provided for-and his
slaughter remained a mystery until, about
fifteen years after its occurrence, gentle
man on his death-bed disclosed the whole
particulars, and avowed himself to have be-
longed to the obnoxious class of students
who murdered DoWnie, Tords.
The BATTLE OF TlppEcANoE.-Who kill
led Tecumseh 2-We question SeH1ed.-In
the U. S. Senate, on Thursday week, du-
ring the discussion of the Indian Appropri-
alton Bill the amendment pending being 20
strike out an appropriation of $66, 246, to
be paid to the Shawanees for lands of theirs
sold in Ohio, Gen. Cass made speech, in
the course of which he said he desired to
vindicate the truth of history. He said ii
was often questioned who was the author
of the movement which broke the British
lines at Tippecanoe. He said he was there
as spectator, having no command. Gen.
Harrison issued his orders for the order of
battle, Col. Johnson's regiment being be-
hind to support the infantry. After the line
was formed General Harrison said to HIM
(Cass) that he believed he would change
The order Of battle, and place Johnson S
horses in front. -. ,,
He suggested to Gen. Harrison the diff
Guilty: that Johnsons men and horses were
but raw troops. Gen. Harrison replied that
he had considered that, and that Johnson
was willing to do 1t. The charge was
made, the horses were put in front and
charged the enemy, literally riding down the
British, and breaking their lines. The next
poihtt, was, who killed Tecumseh3 He then
detailed the circumstances, which satisfied
him beyond doubt that Col. Johnson killed
Tecumseh.
HARD TREATMENT.-In "Neal's Resi-