Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-09-25
EXECUTION or p. S. TURLE1
AT CHARLESTON, VA, FOR TIE MURDER OF MS
wHRl
HIS. REdtARKS ON TIE GALLOWiSl
AffeciIng Incidenfs, Sc.

HIS. REAf4RKS ON TIE GALLOWSI
Anecting Incidenfs, Sc.
On Friday last, the 18th day of September,
ced on the 18th day of June, Preston S. Turley
expiated his crime upon the gallows.
1t will be useless for US to state all the parti
culars in relation to the events which preceded
the execution, as they have been kept promi-
nently before the community. We will merely
say that on the 18th Of January, 1858, Susan
Tnrley was murdered bygher husband, and
sunk in deep poolin Coal River, with a large
stone attached by rope to. her body.
Her disappearance caused much excitement
not only in her own family, but it soon spread
among the neighbors-after a search of four
days, about midnight the body was found
Turly was arrested-had an examination, and
was committed for trial. He was arraigned for
| final hearing before the Circuit Court of this
county atits last Spring Term, Judge G. w
Summers, presiding-and after an ably conduc.
ted trial, the Jury, after being out eight DAYS
brought in verdict of Guilty of Murder IN
the First Degree -and on the 18th of June was
sentenced to be executed.
TURIEY ADDRESSES THE CROWD.
After the close ofthe prayer, Turlcy arose, and
advancing to the front of the scaffold, addressed
the assembled multitude for about an hour, with
q tirmness and eloquences we have never seen
surpassed, if equalled. The.scene was solemn
one, and quiet and order reigned throughout
the vast assemblage, only brokenby the sobs OF
strong hearted men and the weeping of kind
hearted women. His only confession on the
gallowS was, that he was guilty of the crime for
which he was 10 a few moments to be executed,
and that he deserved his punishment. He said
he did not fear death-his hardened heart had
become softened-hisp prayers had availed through
the atonement-he was prepared for the death
that awaited him, and hoped that if he had any
enemies they would forgive him, as he had for
| given them-he was once administer of religion,
but dissipation led him from the path Of duty.
''The love of that damnable stuff. strychn1ne
whiskey, and the love of gain that it produced
has brought me'to this. He then made an elo-
quent appeal to those who used liquor to aban-
don the habit at once, and PoREvER!! He related
incidents where he sold whiskey to men for
money that hesknew ought to be appropriated
for bread for their starving children" elf had
not ruined myself, would have ruined Others u
''lf l had the power, would destroy every dis
tilery in the United States, and close every
place where liquor is sold "were his expressions,
with many others on the same subject, equally
emphatic. He said that he had fully repcnted
and that whiskey had made his children cry and
brought him to the rope. He then addressed
some of his friends, whom he recognized in the
crowd, and urged upon them, i'll an eloquent
appeal, to hold fast to their religion. He saidit
was no time for hypocrisy or deception now
death was certain for there is the reality (point
ing to the .rope.) He did know what hardened
heart he had until he pitched poor Susan, the
companion Of his bosom, over the skiff into the
river, and God only knows the agony of my
soul at that moment" He had no fear of death
spoke calmly ofit-said that death cures all
diseases. Again urged all to repentance. Be-
fore he was converted, he would have given the
whole worldsif it was solid mass of gold, fol-
treedom-for What shall it profile man, il he
gain the whole world and lose his own soul. ~
"How different, said he, "wonld have been my
feelings, had 1 been brought here an unrepent
ant sinner; and how lily could bear up against
the trials which l am in n few moments, com.
PEELED to undergo" He then earnestly appeal
ed to the ministers to work faithfully for The
salvation of man-and asked all s'n6tito forget
Pres. Turley, and what he says He then
asked all to join him in singing two verses of q
hymn BEGINNING:
"a IT'S Religion that give
i Sweetest req MI we live