The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-04-18
WOODSFIELD MONROE COUNTY, OHIO, APRIL 49, 1856 @

strong cords, looking dirty and ragged,
with the blood slowly dripping from his
arm, where ball had lodged from the
revolver Of Dory, could not help plying
the poor wretch. lie must have read com.
passion in my face, for. making an effort
to sit upright, in which he was not sue
cessiul. he asked me Tor drink of water.
| instantly handed him some, and after
drinking heartily, appeared to feel re.
Iieved. | asked him if there was any.
thing else that could do for him, when
lie remained silent for a moment. and
then said, The Judge has appointed you
to see that the sentence is carried into ef.
feet. has he not!'
81 am sorry to say that he has. Nor
gan" answered.
.Well. never mind. would rather il
were you than some others, here. But
have a particular favor 10 ask Of you.
Perhaps you will laugh, and think that it
is a weakness. bat can't help it. Have
you Bible at your ten,?"
told him that | never travelled without
one. and that should be happy to read
il TO him.
Thank you," he said. 81 have not
looked into one Tor years, more shame to
me; if had followed its precepts, |
should not have been here"
/ left him and walked back to my tent.
How hated myself for the part had got
to play in the murder, Tor could call it
no better. 1t was in vain that pondered
plans to escape from my task. | could
see no remedy, and the idea that must
assist in the execution almost drove me
frantic.
/ 1t was now about nine. Morgan had
one hour more to live. went 10 the head
OF my bed, and taking my Bible. LET. for
the store, where the prisoner was still con-
fined. large collection Of people had
assembled from the different bars, and
were passing the time away in taking one
or two drinks, to give them an appetite
Tor the tragedy that was soon to be- enact.
ed.
.sMake way for the Sheriff." shouted
one or two noisy fellows, as endeayored
to foroe my way into the presence Of Nor
gan. ed
j Looks blamed sight more like q
minister. Dont you see his Bibie?" said
another. g ~.
Il passed into the store, where found
Morgan seated on a box. He looked pale
and thoughtful, but smilo illuminated hi.
countenance when he saw that had
! brought the book with me.
81 had almost given you up" he OBJ
served, as / seated myself by HIN.
j lmade no reply, but commenced read
ling a chapter in a low voice. In an in
stant every head was uncovered withir
, hearing, and all was still within the store
Morgan listened with great attention, bu
chapter, the loud voice OF Jones callst
out,
: Times up, bring out the prisoner"
slowly closed my book, and arose
/; Morgan also arose, and cut the cords lha
. bound his feet, and stepped towards tn,
| entrance of the store. He was now very
J pale. whether from the loss OF blood, o.
anxiety, did not know.
: While had been reading to him, they
had drawn lots on the outside, and six o
the best n,arksmen on the river had IN,
chance OF shooting Al the poor fellow
e their rifles were taken and loaded by
K third party 1.-TWO OF them with nothing bu
d powder. SO that it should not be know
b Who shot him. as ~
We walked along with the prisoner. 10
y spot ihai had been chosen. Ii was hig
plain just back Of the store. asked Nor
: gan il he was ready. X s
s -"Cut these confounded cords. and tax
:, my jacket of, so that Lean stand up lik
a man." he answered. a
II bound his hands. and commence
removing his jacket, when something ie
q to, the ground. | stopped TO pick it uE
aud found that il was mini AZURE.
1t represented a young and be aulitul female
IS holding in her arms babe, apparent
e only aatew months old The mother wa
ii looking a, the child with such look a
'e only q mother can give, while the chill
d appeared 10 be making a playful effort ,
reach ringlet of her hair, which fell i
III long curls about her neck. looked D
and asked, Morgan, whose portrait /
ID ,his!" = .I..
III lie then for the first time observed tn,
e. had il.
a That is the portrait OF my wife an
H. child. whom | lei, in New York" he sal,
duu UuIot itO butJ ~ Will
ior it is all that have now"
We | felt as though good crying spe
r. would dome good abou, that time. and
:h drop fell upon, the beautiful face tn
x. was gazing so sweetly at her child, let n
vn hope that it did not tarnish the bright &C
n. ors Of the picture. -. 49,.
". In the meantime. 9 large crowd hs
vi assembled, and were gazing over n
y, shoulder At the picture, with evident d
ly light. passed il round to them, and g
he cry one Of those rough men appeared
ot have q spark. Of human feeling in. the
ey breasts. that only needed 10 be touched
Of produce good results. had never ma,
in a speech in my lite, but new feelil
seemed TO fow through my veins. Sprin
". ing upon large log, | commenced
de rambling address. knew that hum,
be being was in danger, and tina. | mig
@. possibly save him. | alluded 10 kis po
all wife and infant child, their dependen
his on him Tor support. and the anxiety a,
81 sorrow they must feel should they nev
ihear from him again. Befora | had (;