Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-08-29
/ Dpuutr1 To Genprraarr, Mnralitq Edtaraturt
. RALEIGH. NORTH CAROLINA, WEDNESDAY,,

hands had been left forgotten apon he car
pet. It was picked up by Eyslly, who be-
gan to search for the cause otther fathers
agitation, never remotely apeetlng the
truth.
The old man was leaning with his head
bowed down upon his hands, his silver hair
dropping over them, when a soft hand was
laid upon his arm, and gentle voice MUIR
.mured
know it all, now, dear father. Let
us go to the prison.
We will not sketch the meeting between
William Reed and his family. It IS sufi-
cient to say, that be was very much shaken,
the old man Wept, and that was the
deepest th0ucb the most 1qal piferero of
all. Emily obtained PERMISSION to pass as
many hours in her husbands cell, by day
or nj ght, as she could spare from her chill
'dren.
The day upon which the court was to sit
drew near. The friends of William Reed
grew more anxious as the time of the trial
approached, yet their lawyer spoke assured
ly of getting an honorable verdict. His
partizans talked loudly and indiscreetly Of
their sanguine expectations. This provek-
ed opposition. Attacks were made upon
them, both by the mouths of the people
and by the press. ooh, yes! it was said
he is ruf1ed-shirt rascal, and can do
as he pleases.'
Hang one of the upper ten thousand
indeed IF it had been poor man, now,
they would not have waited for judge or
jury, but strung him up at the first lamp
post.
The trial came on. The public mind be-
) ing SO excited against the prisoner, 1t was
long before an unprejudiced jury could be
| empannelled. At length this was effected,
E and the case commenced The witnesses
on the part Of the Commonwealth were
E chiefly summoned from among the crowd
who saw the termination only Of the recon
e tire. Their testimony did not, however,
: bear fatally upon the prisoner. At length,
towards the close of the sitting, witness
] was called, who swore that, upon certain
day, he had heard the accused declare, with
/ an oath, that if ever he met Vinton, he
n would shoot him as mad dog --he woulc
@ crush him to death as a reptile With
this, the evidence for the State closed, anc
}. this ended the second day Upon the thirc
|, day the defence was entered upon. 1t wa
a very able effort, and occupied two days
On the evening of the fourth day from tn
D commencement of the trial, the case wa
$, finally given to the jury.
- The next day when the court met, tn
is room was crowded to sufocation. Th
verdict was expected to be rendered. Th
!, crowd are breathless With 1xpectation. See
T. the doors are thTown O. ssaug
ID the jury advances, followed by bis colles
Us CUES. He carries a sealed packet in h
he hand he hands it to the judge upon tn
bench. IS the verdict' Observe tt
up prisoner The bright hectic spot has gor
= in from his marble cheek, and slight tr,
en- NOR agitates his frame. Near him sits h
I'M wife and the old father but look not Q
It that group, it will unman you. The jude
rt. is on his feet his countenance is ste1
ge and sad
ere Let the prisoner be placed at the bar
ed All was over then! Reed arose, al
having pressed the hand of his wife, whi'
had been lying in his own, attended by ;
officer, he tock the indicated place. II
her Judge addressed the prisoner
to William Harvey Reed you have be-
ect fully and impartially tried for the dreadf
US crime Of murder, and in accordance wi
lily the evidence, a verdict Of GUILTY has be
in rendered by jury, carefully selected FRI
the among your fellow citizens. Hence it !
of comes may most painful duty to announce
up you the sentence Of the law Here, placi
sed upon his head the black cap (that gr
the piece Of frivolity,) he proceeded to pronour
and the death sentence
, in That sentence, with its revolving minu
ing ness of detail, is too familiar to all,
need repetition here. Children know
cof- by rote. William Reed received it W
ct an unfinching brow, and, at its close, uE
6ut, the command, Remove the prisoner
the turned with perfect self-possession, {
yielded himself to tie custody Of the ofic
lace in waiting.
not Passing near where his wife was lying
has the bosom Of his father, he asked
~ Has she tainted
;, OF The old man looked up with beWilde
to smile The old man was an idiot
this. Better So better so,' groaned Will
my Reed, as he followed the officers from
room.
not Suffice it to say, the young wife clun
fam him to the fatal day Of his execution.
While Oh, how many such like cases that spl
the from the maddening cup, and sends
tally thunderbolt to the hearth.
ID in Did Emily Reed die Reader the h
staged upon God, hoaOever sadly, ste:
i'd for tried, ,seuer breaks. Nor was her life pa
in vain regret, or unavailing gloom.
I cof- knew that she should best honor her
bands memory, by devoting herself cl
own fully to the moral and intellectual cultu
his children. She lived, and her life
IobY rich-rich in the affections of her child
er, as rich in the esteem of her friends; ricl
rs. good deeds ; rich in the hope of biz
Heaven.
d be -'s''-
o.aoJ From the Hillsborourh Racordor