The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1853-06-21

MT. Alexander TO JOIN him IN
prayer for his dear Arthur. The
religious services were continued up
to 7 o'clock, with occasional inter.
missions, during which Spring assev.
Grated his innocence, anu his belief
that bis son was also clear Of the guilt
Of blood.
The spectators within The prison
numbered at least four hundred
Without the walls there are about
two hundred scattered around, in.
Guiding large body of police.
Attorney General Reed received
a letter from Governor Biylcr this
morning, III reply to question as TO
whether there was any hope Of re.
spite. The Governor states in the
most emphatic terms, that the con.
dcmned must give up that hope that
he ias determined not to exercise
any clemency towards him.
The letter from the Governor was
read to him BY MIR. Reed, bu. it fail
ed to produce the least effect upon
him, and he usseveratcd his own in.
ncccuce.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXECUTION.
The preparations for proceeding
to the prison yard were completed
within few minutes OF IL O'Clock.
and the various official bodies formed
in line, ard awaited the coming IF
the prisoner i'll. the courtyard, with.
in the northern gate. At IL O'Clock
the prisoner entered the yard, and
the procession commenced its solemn
tnarch.
Ga TIE EXECUTION.
The condemned man was seen to
trcmble when he gazed upon the
large number assembled, and on
catching the first glimpse of tie
galloSs, nervous trembling was ap-
parent, but still he walked firmly,
and asccndcd the steps boldly. ES'S
IIhe reverend gentlemen, ana the
Sheriff, and Marshal, asccnded With
him, and the religious exercises were
commenced BY singing a hymn.-
9'hc prisoner kept his eyes closed
most Of the tim.
Upon the conclusion OF the hymn.
tho Rev. Mr.. Street, thus addressed
him:
Arthur ST,rins, you have been
convicted and sentenced to death for
the murder OF Honora Shaw anil
Ellen Lynch, and the execution of
that sentence is now about to .ake
place. We have moi ceased to warn
you Of your fate and to induce you
to repent and rnake your peace with
God. | now ask you, in the rrcs.
cncc of Almighty God, before whom
you will shortly stand, are you guilty
or not guiity OF tho murder of these
wnmrnI
Prisoncr--No sir! no sir!
Mr.. Street The Grand Jury
have also by their prescntncnt,
charged you with the murder of Mr..
Rink. Are you guilty OF not guilty
of that cri,re?
Prisoner--No sir. | never saw
the man in my life.
Mr.. S:reet--l have still another
and last question to ask you. Before
God, is your son, Arthur Spring,
entirely clear of the murder OF Mrs.
Shaw aud Mrs. Lynch.
Prisoner--I believe he is. lie
hac no more to do with it than l
had.
At this response there was a gen.
era' s;oan from the spectators, which
was, however, but momcntary.
Mr.. Street then said, 'May God
have mercy upon your soul
All upon the scaitold then kncelcd,
and the Rev. Mr.. Kensil prayed in
the most tervcnt manner.
ut the conclusion. the prisoner
spoke a few words to Mr.. Street,
and that gentleman was about to re-
peat 1t, when the sheriff interposed
and told the prisoner to speak him
self.
Hc then said that he went to bed
on tho night Of the murder at 7
o'clock, and he never knew anything
of it until told by the officers.
The question was again asked
him, is your son innocent?' and
he replied:
My son is entirely innocent of
blood!'
Mr.. Alexander here exclaimed:
Let this go throughout the land!'
The reverend gentlemen then left
the gallows, after shaking hands with
the prisoner.
The execntioner arranged the
knot and drew the cap over his face,