Daily national Democrat., 1859-02-03
A Hardened Villain.

The most hardened villain we believe, that
we ever read of, was one Albert Myers who
was recently executed at Columbus, Ohio, for
the murder of man named Neville. They
were both convicts in the State Prison One
day, while in the yard Myers, seized an axe
and, without any apparent cause. beat out
the brains of his companion, Neville His
hardened appearance and demeanor upon the
ecaffold were a subject of wonder and amaze.
.ment to all present The Cincinnati Gazette
gives the subjoined account of his words and
actions:
Immediately upon entering the enclosure,
Myers ascended the steps, twelve in number
to the platform, without assistance or show
ing the least feeling. He was accompanied
by Sheriff Park, Deputy Sheriff Jones, Rev.
Mr. Warner, and two or three assistants of
the Sheriff. After he was upon the platform,
the usual number of witnesses were admitted
within the enclosure together with the mem
bers of the press. A pause of minute or
two followed, when the sheriff led the con
demned forward upon the fatal drop, and as
the former ascended to fasten the rope to the
beam, Myers took hold ofthe rope and ad-
dressing the twenty or thirty persons in the
yard below him, remarked, in light, iocose
way, "If can hold on to this think i can
save myself yet"
Not muscle of his features moved, and his
eye glared as brightly and steadily upon the
up turned faces rs though he was an indiffer
ent spectator, instead of the principal actor
in the painful scene. While the Sheriff was
still engaged in adjusting the rope. Myers
again addressed the crowd as follows:
You can hang me when everything is
clear. wish you all a safe Journey some
time through the wilderness, by J-s sC-st. !"
The tone and manner and language of the
hardened criminal caused shudder of horror
amongst the spectators, who had hardly re.
covered from their surprise, when he threw
an apple and an orange to the ground below,
and exclaimed in loud voice, "Pick them
up, you Cd id rascals." And with the
most stoical Indifference he continued to gaze
with unhinching eye upon those below him
brief, solemn, impressive prayer was then
offered by Rev. Mr.. Warner during which
Myers took hold of the rope which hung
loose at his side, examined it attentively,
looked at the beam over his head, and then,
as if satisfied with his Investigations, stood
perfectly motionless throughout the remand
er of the address to the Throne, in which
reference was made two or three times, in
very solemn manner, to the fact that but a
moment of time separated the condemed from
eternity
At the conclusion of the prayer, the pri
soner exhibited the only emotion which had
been discovered throughout the solemn pre-.
parations thus far, and that was but slight,
and only for minute lie commenced to
speak in much less firm tone of voice, and
with less air of bravado than previously He
said:
II had no correct idea of when I was to
be hung Ihave had no chance to reflect |
would like the privilege of two weeks longer
to reflect. l had no lawyer, or anybody
else. to do anything for me- If l can have
that time l can do something for myself If
not, ! suppose | II ust 60"
At the conclusion of his remarks, the Sher-
III removed the hat from the head of Myers,
and placed the white cap over his face, shut
ting it out from the view of the 81 ectators.
The persons upon the scaffold then retired to
the back part, when Rev. Mr. Warner asked,
"Myers, do you die in the faith of Jesus
Christ p
To which he replied, "I have nothing to
say to you" He was then launched into
eternity.