Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-08-03

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nothing criminatory was found. The
cave, the cave is the place, exclaimed
some of the crowd. The magistrate
then descended into the cave, and there,
on lifting some loose stcses, they found
portion of Eleiza's dress, sprinkled al
over with blood. They also discovered
small quantity of hair, clotted with
gore; and that hair was recognized BY
many as having been taken from the
head of Eleiza.
Baxwell protested his ignorance
But the proof seemed strong against
him, and he was regularly brought tc
trial. The result was the conviction oi
the murder of his daughter, and his
condemnation to death.
On receiving the sentences the un-
happy merchant trembled to excess, and
afterwards seemed utterly overpowered
BY the dreadful nature of his situation,
He continued in a state of almost in
sensibility during the interval between
the trial and the appointed time for exc
cution. On the morning of the latter
day, the jailor came to announce to
him, for the final time, the moment OF
fate was at hand. The merchant was
again seized with a fearful trembling,
and he cried, what he had reiterated to
all who saw him in confinement.
Before my Maker, l swear l am
guiltless of my child's deathl" a.
They led him out to the scaffold.-
There he found, among others, William
Katt, who, it should have been said,
was the most important witness against
him at his trial, having repeated at the
Court the threat of assassination, which
had been uttered by James Baxwell
in his presence against Eleiza. No
sooner did the doomed merchant behold
Katt, than he exclaimed, at the very
foot of the scaffold:
"My friend, in one moment l shall be
in eternity. wish to die in peace with
all men. Give me your hand-I par
don you freely for the injury your evil
dence has done to me-" Baxwell said
this with some composure, but the effect
of his words upon Katt were very strik-
ing. He became pale as death, and
could not conceal the depth of his agita
ton.
Baxwen mounted the steps of the
gallows slowly, and delivered himself
into the hands of the executioner to un-
dergo death by the rope. According
to the ancient custom of Gibraltar, the
executioner commenced his duties by
crying in loud voice: "Justice is doing!
Justice is done!" He then placed the
black bonnet on the head of the con-
demned merchant, and pulled it down
in front so as to cover the eyes. He
had Just done this, when he was stopped
in his proceedings by loud cry from
the side of the scaffold: SIT is l who
am guilty! 1 alonep'
This cry came from VIM. Katt. The
magistrate in attendance Immediately
called him forward, and demanded an
explanation. The young man said he
had carried off Eleiza, with her consent,
to be his wife, and that she was now
residing not far, in concealment. But
to her he did not communicate other
measures which he had taken chiefly tc
revenge himself for the scorn of hel
father. He had contriyed 70 cut off a
portion of her hair while she slept. He
had clotted it with the blood of lamb
and had sprinkled in the same way Z
part of Eleiza's dress which he had
purloined. These articles he had placed
in cave, and there, also, had he emitted
personally those cries, which had borne
so heavily against the merchant. The
generous pardon which the merchant
had bestowed on him at the scafold,
had awakened, (the young man said
instantaneous remorse in his breast, and
compelled him to avow the truth.
This confession was partly made al
the scaffold, and partly afterwards. A;
soon as Katt had spoken out decisively
the executioner had turned to james
Baxwell to take from him the insignia o
death. The merchant, almost unob.
served, had sunk down in a sitting pos
ture. The black bonnet was drawn by
the executioner from off his eyes anc
head. 1t was found that he was {
corpsel No exertions had the slightes
effect in awakening in him the spark Q
life. The physicians, saying all they
could on such a subject, declared he haC
died from the effects of strong imagina
ton.
William Kat was conducted to prison
amid the clamors of the populace, ther,
to await judgment for his misdeeds.
Eleiza, the unhappy daughter of al
unhappy father, retired to convent fo
life, Immediately on learning all that haC
passed.
| H~0e Row oives the foIlowino 40,