Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1858-05-13
Execution of an Ex.minister in
New WOrleanS..HiSL Last Speech.

The execution of George w. Stovell
formerly of Virginia, and once a Baptis
minister for the murder of Mary Ray Du
rand, with whom he was living at tn,
time, took place at New Orleans on Fri
day, the 18th ult. The Picayune give.
the following account of the execution:
At quite an early hour all those who
had the open sesame 10 the Parish Prison
began TO assemble, there being genera
anxiety manifested to see how man o.
education and good intellectual powers
would approach such doom as that which
had been assigned to Stovall by tie laws
of his country.
When we entered the prison yard, oul
ears were first created by the sounds of sa-
cred music, which came from the doomed
mans cell, and Stovall's own st:ong and
peculiar voice could easily be distinguished
by its earnest energy. In the cell with
him were the Rev. Dr. Palmer, and other
pastors of the Protestant churches, and af-
ter the hymn was over prayers were in sue
cession offered to the Throne of the Most
High.
Shortly after eleven the prisoner dressed
in white, and attended by his religious ad-
visers, was led to the spot where the fatal
trap had been prepared. His step was
firm, and his appearance venerable and i'm
posing. Directed by a motion he took his
seat, and the executioner adjusted the IA
tai moose. The prisoner then, after MAX
ing some remarks thanked the officers of
the prison for their kindness to him, said /:
"Now, gentlemen, l must tell you that
l have not been brought to this end be-
cause l didn't know better. l was raised
in - county, Va, by respectable pa
rents, and received pious education. In
deed, may say, occupied respectable po-
sition in society. But l fell, and for the
last fifteen years have been led captive by
the devil at his will, and now by an igno-
BILE death am about to receive the wages
of sin. l have even held the position of
minister of the Gospel, and was beloved
and respected as such, but this only shows
the height from which have fallen, and
from which all are liable to fall if they yield
to their baser feelings.
Though late 1 have returned from my
wanderings to my Saviour, to the merciful
Jesus, who to the dying thief said, This
day shalt thou be with me in Paridise.'
feel that my spirit was like Gagged bird,
anxious to escape from its prison and seek
for refuge in the Paradise of God. Oh,
that l may have the happiness of meeting
you all there! Lord, sanctify this death to
the salvation of these spectators. Let my
prayer and my words 60 forth to the utter
most parts of the earth! o, gracious God,
make us penitent in thy presence"
These remarks were made with firm
and unwavering voice, and after the prison.
er closed, the Rev. DR.. Palmer offered up
an impressive PRAYER for the culpit.
When the payer was ended the prisoner
bade last farewell to DR.. Delery, DR.. Pal
mer and the officers of the prison. He
then, after the cap was pulled down over
his eyes, exclaimed in loud voice, "Lord
Jesus, receive my spirit" As be uttered
the words the trap fell, and bis spirit took
its fight 10 the realms Of the hereafter.