Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-01-11
les MCDONALD, Editor.



On last Friday. the day appointed for the exc
cution of Andrew H. Trayer and Henry T. Will
son in Stanton. for the murder of VIM. Coleman
ON the 18th of August last the penalty of death
by hanging was inflicted ON Trayer. The SEN
-tence was not carried into effect in the case OF
Wilson. he having obtained respite of 80 days
from the Governor. The execution. as we learn
from the Staunton indicator, Witnessed by
between eight and ten thousand persons, of all
colors. sizes and sexes, including at least one
thousand females. Arrived at the ground, the
prisoner. accompanied by the Reys. Castleman
Mitchell and Martin, and Mr.. Campbell, ascend
ed the scaffold. Several appropriate hymns
were sung. which succeeded by earnest and
affecting prayers from Rers- Mitchell and Cas-
tleman, respectively, in which Trayer participa-
ted Trayer then stepped forward and address,
ed the immense concoarse about Is minutes,
severating his own and Wilson's innocence sta
ting that sixteen witnesses had sworn falsely
He mentioned several names of witnesses, as
those who had perjured themselves. He also
said that he believed Perkins inpocent, and
knew nothing of the murder. Tie met his fate
calmly and composediy.
On Thursday night about IL O'Clock, Trayer
signed n written protestaton of innocence, in
substance as follows;
:. | seien,nly declare before these witnesses
tRevs. I. Mitchell T. Castleman and ). Martin
and Mr.. G. Campbell, being presently and the
presence of God, before whom ! shortly expect
10 appear TO be Judged for the deeds done in the
body. that am innocent of the murder of VIM
Coleman. know nothing at all about it, The
evidence OF Perkins was positively false from the
4 ..l4
him and said ..come, let's 90 aud kill n man and
steal roasting ears" to the point where he repre-
SCENTS me coming To him and Wilson ON Sunday
morning at the willows. | had never mentioned
coleman's name to Perkins before that time. |
never owned the claw hammer with which j. is
alleged Coleman was killed. | never owned
CLAW. hammer OF any kind He said he was the
victim of prejudioed community and perlured
witnesses. That though such was the case, he
freely forgayo all, and would die in peace with
them aud be hoped in favor with God. That he
was willing to stake his eternal salvation on his
innocence"
In regard to the respite of Wilson, by Gov.
johnson, the indicator says
alt is to be regretted that both executions
could mot have taken place ON the same day. 1t
will be sad for this community to be afflicted
with repetition of the horrible scene of last Fri
day; aud IL can hardly be expected that Wilson,
an equal participant IN the crime, will receive
less punishment than Trayer, through the inter
ference of Executive clemenoy. 1t would be an
outrage upon law, justice and humanity. None
would be willing to extend the mantle of
Mercy over the unfortunate relict of this heaven
daring murder than ourselves, but Mercy must
be tempered by Justice, and Justice must be
done though the Heavens fall. 1t is indispensa-
BILE to the welfare and security of society, that
heinous crimes and outrageous violation of law,
and invasion of rights involving life, should be
severely punished in order that the baser pas
sions of our nature be tempered with fear of suf-
fering, and the unlawful of the vicious
held in check. None doubt the oxpedienoy and
business of that divine law enunciated at Sinai
which declares that whatsoever sheddeth the
blood of man. by man shall his blood be shed.