The Nevada journal., 1852-11-12

NcH'icHieH ol tne jury, Sald Tue
Judge, without paying the slightest at
tention to this appeal, " consider your
t verdict; and if you wish to retire do
So"
The jury retired. During their alb
! sence the most profound silence was
: observed; and except renewing the
solitary candle that burned beside the
Judge, there was not the slightest move
ment.
The jury returned and recorded a
verdict of Guilty.
The judge solemnly assumed the
huge black cap, and addressed the
: prisoner
: Richard Downie ! The jury have
: unanimously found you guilty OF con-
: spring against the just liberties and
immunities of the students of Maris-
chal College. You have wantonly
provoked and insulied those inoiIen-
sivc lieges for some months, and your
punishment will assurcdly be condign.
You must prepare for death In tif-
teen minutes the sentence of the court
will be carried into effect"
The Judge placed his watch on the
bench. A block, an axe, and a bag Of
sawdust, were brought into the center
Of the room. A figure more terrible
than any that had yet appeared came
forward and prepared to act the part
of the doomster.
1t was now past midnigt; there was
no sound audible save the ominons
ticking Of the judges watch. Downie
became more and more alarmed.
" For my sake, gentlemen" said the
terrified man, "let me go home 1
promise that you never again shall
have cause for complaint
Richard Downie," remarked the
Judge, "you are vainly 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 ut
ter one cry, and you are seized and
your doom completed before you can
utter another. Every one here pres
ent has sworn solemn oath never to
reveal the proceedings of this night
they arc known to none bu, ourselves
and when the object for which we
have met is accomplished, we shall
disperse unknown to any one. Per-
pare, then, for death another five
minutes will be allowed, but no more"
The unfortonate man in an agony
of terror rayed and shrieked for mer-
cy but the avengers paid no heed to
his cries. His fevcred. trembling lips
then moved as if in silent prayer; for
he felt that the brief space between
him and eternity was but as few
more tickings Of that omnous watch.
"Now = exclaimed the Judge.
-Four persons stepped forward and
seized Downie, on whose feature rs
cold clammy sweat had burst forth.
They barred his neck, and made him
kneel before the block.
"Suike !" exclaimed the Judge.
The executioner struck the axe on
the floor; an assistant on the Oppo>
site side lifted at the same moment q
wet towel, and struck it across the
neck Of the recumbent criminal. A
loud laugh announced that the joke
had now come to IN end.
But Downie responded not to the
uproarous merriment; they laughed
again but still he moved not they
lifted him--and Downie was dead
Fright had killed him as eifectually
as il the axe Of a real headsman had
severed his head from his body.
1t was tragedy to all. The med
ical students tried TO open vein, but
all was now over; and the conspira-
tors had to bcthink themselves of safe
| ty. They now in eality swore an
oath among themselves; and the af-
irightcd young u en- carrying their dis
guises with them, left the body of
Downie lying in the hotel. Onc of
their number told the landlord that
their entertainment was not yet over,
and they did not wish the individual
that was left in the room to be disturb
ed for some hours. This was 70 give
them all time to make their escape.
Next morning the body was found.
Judicial inquiry was instituted, but no
sat slactory result could be arrived ut.
The corpse of poor Downie exhibited
no mark of violence internal or eXter-
nal. The i'll will between him and the
students was known; and it was also
known that the students had hired
apartments at the hotel for theatr-
cal representation. Downie had been
sent for by them, but beyond them no.
thing was known No noise had been
heard and no prooi of murder could