Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-12-20


ne had caused bis fate to be made known to
his family, and had represented to them that
he was not really to hang by Legitimate law,
but rather by mob law" And this he per-
sisted was true; but, as he had two fair and
impartial trials, before egitmately constitu-
ted authorities it would be difficult for any
one but himself to so understand it. This
notion of his can only be ascribed to the SEN
timent expressed in the couplet,
"No rogue ere felt the halter draw
With good opinion of the law"
As the wagon proceeded, the crowd follow
ing, he said "ths reminds me of going to
church at home Now am going to God
that is where am going" Again, there
are some men God may forgive, but can't
and wont | am hung by mob" As the
scailold appeared in view, he remarked, "there
is to be my end-that thing there-well, l
must meet it as best can"
On the scalfold were Sheriff Durham, I'm
der Sheriff Perrin, Deputy Sheriff Houghta-
ling, the Rev. Mr.. Hinckley, DR.. Crawford
and others. The man of God offered up a
devout prayer for the soul about to be lauuch
ed into eternity after which Cottle was in
formed that he would then have an opportu-
nifty to address the people present. He
walked about the scallold for few moments
and surveyed the multitude intently, as though
he was endeavoring to recognize some one,
and then commenced his harrangue. His re-
marks were so disjointed and disconnected
so much was repeated over and over again,
and so much of what he said was utterly
meaningless-that rerJatim report of his
speech would be nonsense in print
He commenced Here is a great multi
tude of people before me- What did yon all
come for? Ask yourselves. Why leave your
work. and your business and come here from
ten or may be twenty miles! What do you
expect to see, or hear, or learnI | can tell
you. Thousands came to see them take one
mans life. Some came to see others-some
for gTatihcation-some come to see me, poor
mortal man, just about to be launched into
eternity. 1t is Just like caravan-nothing
but a caravan, or q show Some Of you will
see something you never saw in your lives-a
perfect, upright, honest man hung. Think
moment on that. You may have seen men
hung in the old States; but who are they
honest, upright men? No. | could pick out
men in this crowd more worthy to hang than
| am. You feel it--you know it, Look to
yourselves-take this for looking glass;
You all want to see what? Why, man
hung; or do you all come to see me hung?
A yoce-no You come to see that old,
wilful murderer Cotte7 hung. Yous stop all
business, and come. But you won't gain
much by it. There will be no profit from it.
How many, if in my shoes, would cover,
and tremble. and shrink How many would
not be able to move? They have more guilt
than | have. They have committed more sin
in one day than ever did in all my life. |
could put my finger on some that are three
times as guilty as am; but there was no mob
law when they done it, and they came out
clear. But can You come out clear with
Jesus Christ? All men have such thing as
a conscience YOu know whether you do
right or wrong; but still you would cry aloud
hang the old man Cottle." Can this be
possible? A portion of you had better staid
at home and tried to learn better things
You can put on long faces, and smooth faces,
and stand before an old man and see him
hung. | could put my finger on some, for |
know them; but leave that for future be-
ing to do. The living can do me no hurt,
and the dead no good Look to yourselves.
See where vou are The biggest murderer
in this case cries the loudest-the biggest
murderer cries out chang old Cottle."-
That's fast man. BE careful, and look to
yourselves.
Some expect me to make n manifest. /
have none to make, only as | made my mani
fest to God. / don't have to come here and
make it to men, Others would have me make
manifest am guilty; but | have no such
manifest to make. have large family Of
children. an aged mother, and wife. / mar
ried Young and always worked hard until one
year ago. | wronged no man in body or in
property. / have ever been well wisher to
all men. l have saved mems property with
out requiring the thirty pieces OF silver. This
is nv manifest: | have no other. | have a
large family, and they are very dear to me.
| have evidence that my wife and children
will be provided for. None of your well
wishes does this; l don't owe it to your well
wishes; but my Heavenly Father will provide
for them. They were near and dear-l loved
them as loved my life.
There are only few here / ever saw be-
fore None of my townsmen. But you all
seem to know me well How? Who signed
the remonstrance to Gov johnson How
1:l ...., ,,,a,,o,.o "a ? Rr;nrr M, all of them