Washington telegraph., 1854-07-19
ASHINGTON, ARKANSAS, WEDNESDAY, JULY 49, 1854

cried some of the crowd. The magistrates
then descended into the cave, and there, on
lifting some loose stones they found a por-
tion of Elezia's dress sprinkled all over with
blood. They also discovered small quan-
tity of hair, clotted with gore, and that hair
was recognized by many as having been ta-
ken from the head of Elezia
Baxwell protested his ignorance. But
the proof seemed strong against him, and
he was regularly brought to trial. The re-
suit was his conviction of the murder of his
daughter, and his condemnation to death.
On receiving the sentence the unhappy
merchant trembled to excess, and afterward
seemed utterly overpowered by The dreadful
nature of his situation He continued in a
state almost of total insensibility during the
interval between his trial and the dav ap-
pointed for his execution On the morning
of the latter day, the jailor came to announce
to him, for the final time that the moment
Of fate was at hand. The merchant was
seized again with a fearful trembling, and he
cried what he had riterated to all who saw
him In his confinement Before nv Ma
ker, swear that am guiltless of my child S
death ~
| They led him out to the scafold. There
| he found among others. William Katt, who,
it should have been said, was the most impor-
tant witness against him at histrial, having re-
peated at the court the threat of assassina-
ton, which had been uttered by James Bax.
we'll in his presence against Elezia. No
sooner did the doomed man behold Katt,
than be exclaimed, at the very foot of the
scafold My friend, in one minute shall
be in eternity. wish to die in peace with
all men. Give me your hand-I pardon
you freely for the injury your evidence has
done me- Baxwell said this with some
composure, but the effect of his words upon
katt were very striking. He became pale
as death, and could not conceal the depth of
his agitation.
Baxwell mounted the steps of the gallows
very slowly, and gave himself up into the
hands of the executioner, to undergo death
! by the rope. According to the ancient Gus
tom of Gibraltar, the executioner commenc-
ed his duties by crying in loud voice =
Justice is doing Justice is done 10 He
then placed the black bonnet on the head
of the condemned merchant. and pulled it
down in front, so as TO cover the eyes. He
had just done this when he was stopped in
his proceeding by loud cry from the side
Of the scaffoid 1t is I who am guilly-I
alone ~
This cry came from William Katt. The
magistrates in attendance instantly called
him forward and demanded an explanation.
The young man avowed he had carried off
Elezia, with her consent to be his wife, and
that she was now residing not far off in con-
cealment. But to her he did not cofHmnni-
cate other measures which lie had taken
chiefly to revenge himself for the scorn Of
her father. He had contrived to cut eff a
portion of her hair while she slept. he
had clotted it with the blood of a lamb, and
had also sprinkled in the same way part
Of Elezia's dress which he had purloined -
| These articles be had placed in cave, and
there, also had he emitted personally those
/ cries which had borne so heavily against
( the merchant The generous pardon which
the merchant had bestowed on him at the
scafold had awakened (the young man said)
instantaneous remorse in his breast, and
compelled him to avow the truth.
This confession was partly made at the
scaffold and partly afterwards. As soon as
Katt bad spoken out decisively, the execu-
toner had turned to James Baxwell to take
from him the insignia of death The mer-
chant, almost unobserved had sunk down in
sitting posture. The black bonnet was
drawn by the executioner from off his eyes
and head 1t was found that he was corpse,
No exertions had the slightest effect in
awakening in him the spark of life. The
physicians saying all they could on such a
subject, declared that he had died from the
effect of strong imagination.
William Katt was conducted to prison
amid the clamors of the populace, there to
await judgment for his misdeeds.
Eezia, the unhappy daughter of an IN
happy father, retired to convent for life
Immediately on learning all that had passed.
THE OLD MAN.-Bow low thy head boy:
| do reverence to the old man. Once young,
/ like Won the vicissitu9es of life have silver