Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1854-01-14
Execution of Charles, for Rape.

riously estimated at from three to five
THOUSAND persons, were i'll attendance on
F-iday last, to witness the execution oil
CHARLES, the slave of GEORGE B. BEALL,
ESQ, who was sentenced to be hung at
the last November Term of our County
Court. for an attempt to commit rape on
respectable female, Of this County.
Up to the day of his execution, the ne
gro had made little or no confession of the
crime for which his life was 10 be the
penalty.
On the morning Oft 9th, the day fixed
for his execution, he requested the Sheriff
10 give him one hour on the scatfold, in
order to afford him an opportunity of ma
king some disclosures not only relative to
this, bat many other crimes he had com
mitted. He was taken from the jail un-
der an escort of forty citizens, with mus
kets, under the command of Capt John
w. Rowan, the Tailor, al half past eleven
o'clock. The prisoner rode out to the
scafold in buggy with the High Sheriff,
and Oh his way his time was mostly occu-
pied with prayer. lie was fearful that he
could not make the confession he wished,
and remarked ii to the Sheriff on his way
but said she would if he could"
lie was accompanied to the ScafIold, by
the Rev. Mr.. THORN, and Mr.. WM. p.
HENSON. On the scal,old, the Rev. Mr..
Thorn gave notice that The prisoner had
selected hymn for the occasion, which
he wished the crowd would unite with
him in singing. 1t was clark from the
Tomb" The prisoner sung with zeal
Gus feryour and devotion, until he came to
the last verse, when lie ceased singing
and commenced praying. After the hymn
was concluded, the Rev. Mr.. Thorn offer
ed up to the Throne of Grace, in behalf 81
the prisoner, beautiful solem, affecting
and appropriate prayer. The Rev. MIR.
Thorn and Mr.. Henson then bid him a
final adieu and left the ScafIoId. Mr..
John w. Moore, our efficient High Shcr-
if, then asked the prisoner if he had any
thing to say. The prisoner, greatly aftec-
ted, commenced by saying, "Gentiemen
and Ladies am here for crime" He
then faltered a moment or two under vio-
lent emotion, and then proceeded: Il have
done great many bad things, and have
left undone many things which | ought to
have done. Thank God, it is good that |
is mere, il is just. This day expect to
be in Paradise-farewell In the name of
the Father, Son d Holy Ghost. The
Lord have mercy on my soul ~ He then
notified the Sheriff he was done. The
cap and rope having been properly adj
justed, lie stepped forward on the trap
which was TO launch him forever into etcr-
nity. The Sheriff then bid him farewell
and left the scdlIod. Just before he
threw the handkerchief, which was the
signal for the Sheriff 10 sever the rope, he
said 'fareUeH ,0OrId " He then let fall
the handkerchief, and at the same instant
locked his hands together and fell on his
knees, which leSsened his tall considcra-
bly,. He died without struggle, and at
Ter hanging some twenty minutes the at
terding physician pronounced him dedd.
The Sheriff not being entire V satisfied,
suffered him To- remain ten minutes Ion
ger, so as to have no doubt on the mind OF
any, that he had laltered in the slightest
degree in the performance of his duty.
The laws of the land having imposed the
duty on the High Sheriff Of executing It's
sad and solemn sentence, great credit Is
due to him, for both the feeling ana firm
ness he displayed on the occasion. Eve
rything connected with this sad tranSac-
lion. was conducted with great prOprIetY,
decorum and order.
This is the second execution that has
occurred in our County within the last
six months. Such an occurrence has
never before happened within its history.
We sincerely hope many year may pass
by, before it will occur again. Scenes OF
this character give rise to many reflections
upon which we might appropriately COM
ment, that we bury in oblivion for the pre-
sent.--SPirit Of jefferson.