Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-01-11
Execution OF Trayci'.

Last week. after the greater part OF our eoi'lon
was struck off. we stopped the press to announce
shat Governor Johnson had granted respite OF
thirty days to Wilson. who was to have been eS-
ccuted with A. H. Trayer, for the murder OF
William Coleman. The friends Of Wilson pc
litioned for a Communication of the punishment to
imprisonment for life in the Pcniten,iary, and the
Governor postponed the day Of execution that he
might have time TO examine the evidence.
Traycr suffered the penalty of the law near
this place, on Friday the 9th, IN pursuance OF lhe
sentence. 1t is estimated that some five thousand
persons were present, land among the number, we
are sorry to say, were few females. The prls
oner was taken from the Jail to the place OF exc
cution in an open wagon, guarded by the CIVIL Of
icers and the military company from Mt. Scion,
and attended by several ministers OF the Gospel
who had been unremtting in their attention 10
his spiritual interests. They reached the place
Of execution abuut o'clock. Trayer appeared
calm and collected, and assembled the platform
with firm step. After prayer by the Rev.
Messrs Castleman and Mitchell, and the sing
ing ola hymn, in which the prisoner Joined,
permission was granted him TO make any re-
marks that he desired. He advanced step or
two, and spoke in substance as follows: lie stood
on that platform to suffer for crime, of which he
was innocent. He knew nothing OF the murder
of Coleman, until the morning on which the body
was disc vered He never was in Coleman's hOm
previous to the murder-then he went there with
several persons to see the corpse. Wilson, he be-
lieved, knew nothing Of the murder, nor did Per
kins-both of them were at his house the night
the crime is supposed to have been Committed
As to the hammer, he denied that he ever owned
Observation-Disclosures that he got a part of
Moore's tools, but did not get hammer, and said
none of the tools had mark on them. He charg-
ed several of the witnesses with purjury, and said
the evidence of sixteen others was 4 mixture OF
truth and falsehood. He knew the people ofStaun'
ton suspected him of the crime; that he was
closely watched and every word he uttered was
caught up as evidence of his guilt.
He spoke considerable time, protesting his in
nocenco throughout, and concluded with few
words of admOntiun to those around him. After
he ceased speaking the officers proceeded to adjust
the rope, and at the instance of the prisoner bound
his eyes with handkerchief previous to placing
cap over his head. AT given signal the cord
sustaining the trap was severed and the unhappy
man was launched into eternity. The body was
dC l.vered to the prisoners friends who had proy'
ded a coffin and hearse to receive it
We were sorry to see so much heartlesS levity
manifested on the occasion by many who were
present; indeed the larger part of the crowd seem
ed to regard the occasion as mere frolic. We
have long believed that the moral influence Of pub
lie executions was decidedly evil, and hope th
present Legislature will not adjourn without chang
ing the law on the subject.
Thus the scene has ended w it'll one oil the con
demned. We have no disposition to moralize, blu
this fearful tragedy teaches one impressive lessor
to all men-the importance Of acquiring and main
tanning character for answering integrity.
Unless the Governor grants the Communication
to Wilson. prayed for by his friends, his execu-
ton will take place on Friday the 3rd of Februa
ry. We could have wished, if he is to sutle
death, that both executions had been deferred Il
the same time, and the community spared the pail
of witnessing two such occasions.