The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-06-09

| tempted Su1c10e-kA1S reiterated
Declaration OF InnOcence-"I
Die an Innocent man'-The Clos
ing Scene.
The following account Of the closing
hours in the life of this unhappy man, we take
from the Plain Dealer Of the LIST inst. We
are not in favor of screening the guilty from
just punishment; but now that he has suffer-
ed the full penalty Of the law, by an ignO-
minious death, let his errors and follies be
buried in, the grave with their author
From what we have heard of him, he was
man of far more than ordinary natural ca
pscities, and with proper dicipline in early
life, might have been made an ornament to
society and d blessing to mankind. For
the sake then, of poor human nature, as we'll
as for the sake of the wife and child he leaves
behind him, let the mantle of charity be
thrown over his errors, and instead of re-
rejecting upon his unworthiness, let us
rather consider how easily one wrong step
in our own lives, might have made us like
him.
PARKS rested toerably well during the
night, sleeping several hours. He was at
tended by persons connected with the Jail,
who did every thing to make him comforta-
BILE, by administering draughts of wine and
water. On waking, the idea that the morn
ing had dawned upon the day of his execu-
ton, seemed to flash upon his mind, and he
made slight attempt to get at the bandages
on his wound, but it was but monetary emo
| tion, and he resumed his calm and cool de-
meanor. He breakfasted upon some raw
oysters, and was much stronger than his loss
of blood would seem to have allowed. AS he
lay Upon his pallet in the Hall, he conversed
with several persons who came in, Sheriff
SEWARD, Marshal FITCH and others, on the
subject ofthe days business. Towards elev-
en- o'clock he took refreshments of wine and
water, clean white linen shirt was put up
on him, and at his request pipe was pro-
cured and he took comfortable smoke
The Cleveland Greys had been out on duty
since dusk the evening before, and through
| the discomforts Of the rain storm kept every
thing outside quiet and orderly. Thousands
crowded around the Jail yard gates from
morning till noon, but no disorder was al
| lowed.
The persons present in the Jail hall, consist.
ed of the county officers, few selected by the
| prisoner as his counsel, several assistants. the
physicians, ond the usuaInumber allowed
to be invited by the sheriff; numbering in all
about forty persons. About half past eleven
he called to him relative, Dir. JOHN DICK
TNsoN and gave him directions as to the dis
position Of his body He wished that
thepublic might not be allowed to gaze
upon him suspended from the gallows, but
wished that he might be taken down, de-
Gently shaved, dressed, and deposited in his
coffin, and that those who had a curiosity
might be allowed to lock upon him. He al
so requested him to refrain from writing
any thing to his friends and parents in Eng
land which would inform them of his true
fate on the scafold.
The structure upon which he was to be
executed had been put up this morning in
the north east corner of the Jail hall, and
consisted OF platform six feet by eight, a.
bout eight from the ground, having two trap
doors with jointed support which could be
easily removed by touching lever in the
rear with the point of cane.
He inquired towards noon whether Mr..
WRIGHT the clergyman had arrived. No
clergyman was present.
At ten minutes before noon he was con-
Quoted upon the scaf1old by Mr.. SEWARD,
the Sheriff and Marshal FITCH. He walked
feebly but without any emotion in his coun-
tenance. He took chair provided for him,
drank portion of glass of wine, and held
the glass in his hand while he prepared
to speak. He was quite pale, but his whole
air was remarkably firm and clear minded.
A deaf and dumb person, an acquaintance
of his, kissed his hand to him and he return
ed the signal with apparent satisfaction at
the friendly token. He commenced some
remarks in strong and clear voice, the sub
stance of which we will attempt to give:
He said, "wcll, gentleman, There are but compare
lively few present, and my words will be but few
| shall dctain but short time.
If wished to say more, have hardly strength to do
| so. sec among you some Of my jurors. l have no
reflections to make upon the verdict; did your du
ty. have no levity to show solemn occasion
should have been glad to have spared the people the
horror Of an execution My attempt to do so yester-
day by ending my life by my own hand was not for my
own benefit, but for the sake those leave Behind.
You know how the old family feelings of pride have
prevailed. had hoped to prevent lay child and rela.
ons from the reproach which this will bring to them
knew was not murderer and had right to dispose
of my existence much the laws and society had
do 50. had not done aught to break the laws Of
fend society. have not imposed upon others or my
| self in this affair. That VIM. BEATsoN fell and killed
| himself is true. am no murderer in any way. |
might say SO much, commend myself to Cod and stop
here. 1t is said that have had two impartial trials,
that this ought to be conclusive. But gentlemen, the
trial by jury is not yet perfected human approaches to
truth arc but difficult AMI uncertain. l regret that
am not understoOd that the bent of my mind and the
| scope of my understanding are misunderstood.
never dreamed ofmurder; my conscience would never
have dared to conceive it, That murdered BEAT.
l sOS IL He was hut q man
with less money than |. He was not rich, and his
friends have made themselves known, though it
is but short journey from England to Ohio. had
no maignty towards him, and feel none towrads any
human being. ..
leave deer wife who has in my long confinement
been angel In her solicitude and of me. had
never known her virtues had it not been for my
misfortunes. l leave dear infant who has been
taught to clasp its arms around my neck and whom
love dearly. leave aged parents now near eighty
years DID, from whose kind hearts had hoped to keep
the sad of the gnominious fate of their son.
(Here his voice fatered and he burst into tears) Il
was for the sake ofa these that attempted yesterday
to shorten my life day. feel that did right, and
hope that those who report for the public prints will
il they have regard for those love, spare them if pos
sble from the pain OF seeing my name coupled witt
that of murderer have suffered much mentally
bodily by my confinement; circumstances have hat
much to do in making me improperly understood. Nc
innocent man put upon trial can be certain of aequt
tai. He labors under great disadvantages, hous
and circumstances arise and spread through thu
world in the public prints. In his cell shut out from
chance to meet the unfayorable suspicious with th
antidoe,she Is borne down by these preudices which
have taken possession of the public mind. He can
not eace this rsimpression, he is victim Of It,
to-day declare myself to have been destroyed by th
paragraphs which in the beginning pronounced me
monster, hyena, bloodhound murderer, black, black
est of the guilty. What right had they to say what
intended to gain by killing BEATsoNg mans mind ani
intent are secrets, no man can know them.
| After speaking twenty minutes he took
sip of wine and rested. little, and asked tht