Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1859-04-16

onized fe, lings OF the son, until nearly all
power of ell-conirol left him. He threw
himself upon his bed, and burying his
head in his pillow, cried until one would
think his heart must break. Before re-
firing for The night he read the scriptures
aud PRAYED. He passed the night with
lranqnIlized feelings, and upon arising in
The morning read his Bible and prayed.
On Thursday afternoon The father, mo-
ther, the sisters and the brothers of Crop
entered his cell, and conversed with him
for the las, time. The scene enacted vas
one which cannot be described. The
imagnations can only picture the parents.
brothers and sist RS seated around The on
happy conv;c! and sobbing as if their ag-
onized hearts would burst. AT haf-past
nine o clock at night the most 'errble
struggle Of all came. 1t was then that
the last parental farewell was spoken I;
twas then the startling thought rushed
upon the mind, how awful is death ?
There stood the condemned man, in the
prime of life surrounded by his weeping
parents whose hot scalding tears coursed
down their cheeks like rain. Ii was d
fearful picture, and one that would harrow
up the most finty soul.
The condemned son, through his blind
ing tears, exhorted his father, mother,
brothers and sisters 10 prepare and meet
him in heaven, The parting moment
came, and the unfortunate man was left
alone to his sad meditations. After read
ing his Billie, he offered up a beautiful
prayer, and then retired. He passed a
comfortable night, and arose early in the
morning. He then engaged in religious
exercises, after which he ate a moderate
breakfast.
Cyphus retired early, after singing and
praying, and slrp, soundly during the
night. He arose early in the morning,
and after dressing himself read portion. Of
the Scriptures, and offered up most sol.
emn prayer. Before retiring for the nigh,
he conversed freely with his keeper, and
stoutly denied having committed the muI'
der for which he was executed. He,
however, gloried in the anticipation oI
meeting his Savior in heaven.
Cyphus' CeN.-Shorlly after ten O.,
clock. the Sheriff, followed by the mem
bers of the press, visited The cell of Cy.
phus and pinioned him. While he was
being secured, he was told to hold him.
self up straight, TO which he replied "yes
sir" while al The same time alsmile was
playing about his mouth. He stated thai
he never knew person by the name uI
Stephens. One of the visitors of the cell,
in taking leave of Cyphus, took him by
the hand and wished that he might be re.
ceived in heaven. Cyphus replied that per.
sons thought thai they were going to hang
murderer, but they would not, as he
was not guilty of such crime. He free.
ly forgave all those who had been inslru.
mental in convicling him. The Sheriff
then le(i him for the purpose of securing
the other prisoners. Cyphus then. in
concert with his spiritual advisers, Joined
in singing to the Most High. ne.
As soon as the hymn had been finished,
the Rev. ]. II. Hof read from the Bible
The first len verses from the 5lh chapter
Of Romans. The reading was listened to
with great attention by Cyphus, who're
marked at its conclusion, "oh, how sweet;
my mind is now resting upon God, feel
better now in my mind than | ever did
bdfore; | know that | am not guilty;
shall die an innocent man; they think thai
they are killing murderer, but, thank
God, they are not. have been sinner,
but thank God, nv sins have been for
given, and now can meet my death
without fear a.a.
Upon the conclusion of the hymn, Rev.
S. w. Chase offered up most besuti-
ful prayer. during which the condemned
frequently burst forth i'll EXPLANATIONS ol
praise 10 heaven alone. When The pray
er had concluded, Cyphus took up a
HYMN book and in an astonishingly firm
voice, sang the hymn, "Oh. that my load
of sin was gone.' Had stranger enter
ed the cell at this moment il would have
been impossible to have recognized the
prisoner, so calm and sell-possessed was
he. O.. - .'@rI
The Sheriff now made his appearance
in the cell and announced 10 the .eulprli
tha, he had come for the purpose OF con-
duc,ipp him to the scatiold.' Cyphus
made no reply out permitted the white
can 10 be drawn over his head. He was
then led from his cell and joined his lei
in the corridor.
Procession to The Galoscs.-At TWO
minutes past II o'clock the melancholy
PROCESSION emerged from the wicket door
opening upon ihe rear yard of The prison
in the following order : FIRST. Sheriff
Creamer, followed by GambrIll and his