Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-01-09
The Execution of Andrew H. rrayer,

lIeHTy i. w liSoH loI tue uIuiuSI VI w Ill.
Coleman on the 18th of August last, the
penalty of death by hanging was inflicted
on Trayer. The sentence was not carried
into effect in the case of Wilson, he having
respite Of so days from the Gov
ernor. 1t will be remembered that we sta
ted several weeks ago that a petition was
being signed to be laid before the Cover
nor, praying for commutation Of Wilson's
punishment to Imprisonment for lite. The
petition was sent on to the Governor, but
that functionary required the evidence in
the case to guide him in his decision. On
Tuesday morning last messenger was dis
patched with the proper papers, and a letter
from Judge Thompson, stating that he (the
Judge believed the prisoners guilty, bit
had he been juror in the case, he could
not have avoided entertaining a "rational
doubt Of their guilt, from the evidence
The bearer of the dispatch obtained an au-
dience from the Governor on Tuesday
night. The Governor told him he had gen,
on respite for 30 days, and he would
time. Without stating that the package
contained papers bearing on Trayer's case
also, young Wilson, the messenger, and
nephew Of the convict, left the documents
unopened and hurried back to Staunton.-
The probability is, that Governor Johnson
has not at this writing opened the package
and consequently Trayer did not obtain a
respite. 1t is to be regretted that both ex..
ecutions could not have taken place on t,.,e
same day. 1t will be sad for this commu-
nifty to be afflicted with repetition of the
horrible scene Of last Friday; and it can
hardly be expected that Wilson, an equal
participant III the crime, will receive less
purishm- Mt than Trayer, through the inter-
terence of Executive clemency. 1t would
be an outrage upon law, justice and hui
mainly. None would be more willing to
extend the mantle of Mercy over the un-
fortunate relict Of this heaven-daring muir.
der, than ourselves; but Mercy must be
tempered by Justice, and Justice must be
done though the Heavens fall. It's indis-
pcnsable to the welfare and security of So
ciety, that heinous crimes and outrageous
violation Of law and invasion of rights in
volving life, should be severely punished,
in order that the baser passions ofour nature
be tempered with fear Of suffering, and the
unlawful procliv!ies of the Vicious held in
check. None doubt the expediency and
business Of that divine law enunciated at
Sinai, which declares that whosoeyer she'd
deth the blood of man, by man shall his
blood be shed. But 10 return TO Trayer.
On Thursday night about u o'clock, he
signed IL written protestation Of innocence.
which in substance is as follows:
Isolemuly declare before these witness
es, {Revs. T. Mitchell, T. Castleman e. s.
Martin.and Mr. G Campbell. beingpresent,)
and the presence Of God, before whom l
shortly expect to appear to be judged for
the deeds done in the body, that am inno-
cent of the murder OF YIN. Coleman. /
know nothing at all about it. The evil
dence of Perkins was positively false from
the point where he said Wilson and my
self came to him and said 'scome, let's go
and kill man and steal roasting ears" to
the point where he represents me coming
to him and Wilson Oh Sunday morning at
the willows. had never mentioned Cole
mans name to Perkins before that Tine
| never owned the claw-hammer with
which it is alleged Coleman was killed.
never owned aclaw.hammer Of any kind.
He said he was the victim Of a prejudicsd
community and perjured witnesses. That
though such was the case, he freely for
gave all. and would die in peace with them
and he hoped in favor with God.-That
be was willing to stake his eternal saliva.
ton on his innocence. I'VE do not pre-
tend to give the exact words OF precise con-
nection of the statement, but simply the |
substance. We have used the first and
third personal pronouns for convenience.
The morning Of Friday was consumed
principally in prayer and praise, in which
Trayer seemed TO engage earnestly. A
bout II o'clock they prepared to proceed
to the place Of execution. Before leaving
the Jail, Trayer stopped at Wilson's cell
to bid him final adieu. The scene was
affecting. They clasped each others hands,
the big tear drops rushing profusely down
their cheeks. Wilson said nothing, but
wept as though the great deep Of his heart
was broken up, from which gushed forth
the waters Of sorrow and repentance. But
Trayer, amid his gushing tears, exclaimed
Farewell, my boy. We shall never meet
again in this world, but God will forgive
all your sins, and our happy spirits will
meet in eternity. die an innocent man.
The SherifIs, Jailor, three ministers, and
Trayer then entered the wagon, and pre-