The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-05-30
A TRUE SKETCH.

The following faithful picture, drawn by
James III. Smith. Esq, associate Editor Of tho
WILMINGTON FREE PREss, actually transprod
in our own city of Raleigh. We well remcm-
bcr the soul thrilling cries and narrowing
shrieks of the hctrt broken mother. We stood
near the gallows as the unfortunate victim was
prepared for the fatal drop, and warned tho
| multitude around to beware of strong drink,
| foul demon that had brought him TO his awful
end. Anxiously he looked for, and seemed TO
| expect The approach of a courier bearing the
GoyernQrs Reprievo, and writhing under ter
ror and suspense, he would cry-"lt is hard
it is hard for one so young 10 die the felon's
dcath-Oh! whiskoy. whiskcy--cursed whis-
key! it has ruined me-" Tho last five minutes
of his time had come; tho Sheriff adjusted the
ropo and death cap-thc fatal cord was cut
and poor Madison Johnson hung between
Heaven and earth--tho diegrncod aud lifcless
victim of strong drink I'D. Spirit of the Ago.
In the days of my boyhood knew a young
man who was in tho eighteenth year of his ago
or thcrcabou's. Tho healthy blood flowed in
his veins, and he bid fair to 1.-Two many years.
But, although nurturcd by tender parents and
taught to avoid evil practices, ho mingled in
evil company, and at last bo began to drink
liquor. His father, who kept grog shop. as
certaining that he drank to excess, forbid his
CiClh lIOuh lcltlllp SOii nave any, OH pam Ol
being discharged. A few days after this or
der, the young man entered his fathers shop,
and demanded a drink of brandy.
"Your father has positively forbade mo let
ting you have any," said the good-natured
clerk.
81 don't care what he or yon says either"
shouted tho young man, for his passion was
becoming ungovcrnablo.
''You can't have any liquor from this place,
sir"
IL cannot:'
'Not drop
"Thcn I'll hayc something olsc,' said the
young man, iiercely, drawing pistol from his
pocket and presented it at the frightcncdclcrk
"Givc me liquor"
''Ill die first"
"Thcn die III !lavc liquor"
A report, and tho clerk fell a corpse on tho
floor. Tho murderer was arrestcd. Mad with
the effects of brandy Inc ragged the moro us
thusc around cndcavorcd to pacify him. lie
became tho sole occupant of dismal dur geon
the feons home. Tho unfortunate victim
was loft a'one-a'onc with his own conscience
and with no eye to watch the operations Of re
morse when he became sober, but tho eye of
tho Eternal.
Tho awful day Of trial is at hand He is put
upon his trial and pleads not guilty. Counsel
use overy strategcm 10 clear him, but after q |
patient investigation, twelve honest and capa-
bic men pronuneod him guilty of murder. The
Judge with sad heart. yet an unyiolding sense
of duty pronounccs the dreadful sentence of
death upon the doomed man. lie is remain
ded back TO his dungeon homo where, cut off |
from hope in this world, he might prepare for |
eternity.
Tho revolving wheels of time bring the fatal
Friday; the crowds of men are gathering here |
and lberc-every pulse beating wildly. The |
law will be enforced. But what grief stricken |
group is this who aro vending there way 10 the |
Governors mansion: They are the parents of
the doomed youth. They are making another
soul moving appeal to tho Governor. Sce
they arc kneclng at his feot; and arc plead
ing for the first pledge of their early love-
The wild screams of the heart broken mother
ring out clear upon tho air and reach oven tho
cell of her beloved son. But there is voice
far louder than the terrific wall of that mother
Justice thundcrs TO tho officer. "see thou par
don him not-blood for blood Hope fled
all is lost!
With the crowd VIC hasten to the prison.
The timo has come to proceed to tho place
where the the horrible tragedy shall terminate.
Behold him o God, save me from "a scene so
overwhelmingly appalling. Ho comes out Of
his slmsy cell dressed in tho habimcnts of
the grave. His mother, his once beloved
mother, is there waiting to give him ono part
ing embrace. He kncels down and asks her
to forgive him for breaking her poor heart, be-
coming drunkard, and consequently mur-
dercr. Weep, ye angels over scene like this.
Oh, youth Of Amcrica-bo warned by his con-
fession. 1t was Rum that did it all. Tho
Sheriff proceeds to the fatal spot Tho agita-
ted crowd follows. They reach tho place
After a short prayer, tho criminal asccnds tho
scaffold. The rope and cap is adjustcd; short
pause, dull, heavy sound falls upon tho air.
and the stiffness of death comos over tho as
semblcd multitude.
Justice says. l. am satisfcd-tho victim was
slain. Rum had done its work.