Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1859-04-16
they assembled.
they ascended. .-.r .... .... ..
Corrie walked with closed eyes as did
Crop, and seemed frequently engaged in

unmoved, he came forth with open eyes
and unchanged counlenance, and smiled
"a recognition of an acquaintance who
stood near The door ofegress. The men
were clothed in citizens dress. and over
their shoulders they wore black shawl,
Iconcealing their bound arms. The brief
but dreadful interval between the Jail and
scafTold which frowned upon them as
they emerged from the door. was soon ac-
com plished, the condemned youths pre-
serving their calmness 10 The last.
THEY Ascend the ScafoH.-Precisely
at oiy hit minutes past IL o'clock they as.
cended the scaffol1 in the same order as
that in which they left their cells, Henry
Gambrill was the first 10 appear; as he
stood upon the instrument Of his dreadful
death, looked calmly and smilngly around
upon the vast multitude thronging the
hills, the house tops, and the Monument,
then turning his eyes TO heaven he pray
ed with suppressed emotion. his spiritual
adviser whispering the while in his ear
the words of eternal hope and promise.
Meantime the remaining victims of the
law had taken the places assigned them
upon the gallows-Gambril al the east
ern end, Corrie next TO him, Crop next,
and the negro on the western extremity.
After few words TO the men from their
spiritual adviser, Henry Gambrill came
| forward 10 the centre Of the scaffold and
in clear, distinct tone, which, though il,
! fallered with emotion, was firm with pur-
pose and earnest determination, spoke as
follows "FelIow citizens, knowing tha,
am about TO die, that stand on the
brink of eternity, declare 10 you that |
am innocen, of ihe murder of officer Ben
ton, or of having anything to do with il.
When this trap falls from under me, il
will launch an innocent man into eternity.
| have nothing more TO say but good
bye" He then gave one last searching
look upon the crowd beneath, and upon
those surrounding him upon the gallows,
and then resumed his position. The
Sheriff now in,ima,ed TO Crop that he
could now sing the hymn which lie had
selected for that purpose. After mo.
men,'s pause, and look 10 heaven. he
commenced in loud, clear, and unfaler-
ing voice, the hymn which we elsewhe
publish. Both Corrie aud Cyphus joined
in the refrain of the hymn but their vol.
ces trembled with weakness or emotion
which he, this iron nalured man, seemed
stranger to.
The bearing and department of Corrie.
both in his cell and upon the scaifold,
evinced intense emotion and mental ex
element. which increased apparently as
he stood upon the drop; while in proper
tion 10 the increasing agitation OF his tel-
low sufferers: the calmness and stold in
difference of the negro increased; after the
singing Of the hymn, the Sheriff asked the
negro il he desired 10 say anything. In
response, Cyphus stepped briskly and
cofdently forward OF his position. and
said, "Gendemen, here's another inno-
cent man going TO be hung; am inno-
cent of the murder; they took me up, gave
me another name, and now they are 60
ing 10 hang me; but am willing 20 die,
and want you all TO say that | 60 away
perfectly happy" He then resumed his
place smilingly. y ,.,yl.- IL
The Sheriff and his assistants then
drew down each fatal moose, and prepar-
ed 10 adjust them aronnd The necks Of
the doomed men. The dreadful pTepara-
lion affected the men greatly, though va
riousy. Gambrlll, though preserving the
inuepidity Of his expression. trembled
violently at the proceeding. His cheek
end lips became banched, and bending
back his head until his eyes rested fully
upon the Heavens, 10 which he express
sed certainty ofreaching, he prayed au-
dibly and fervenily. His las. words were,
Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. .r .l
Conie was also exceedingly agitated;
the powerful eff, n with which he strove 10
summon together all the resolution OF his
soul was plainly evident. His fingers
were moved convulsively, and his lips
closed, tightly together, quvered with The
emotion. Crop, though manifessing ex.
element. preserved the habiiual stoIldity
of his nature, and coolly bent his head TO
assist in the adjustment Of the knot. l
Nothing remained now 10 be done but
10 draw down the white cap which would
shut out forever from the gaze Of the
doomed men all sigh, OF The world and the
appointed persons approached 10 fulfil
their last act of duty. Al this critical
iunclure, the perfect stiffness which had
been preserved all morning by the i'm
mense crowds outside and within the pris.
ON ward, was broken bv the sounds of
seart.u.tered sobs. suppressed meanings
of grief, and by yet more boislerous ex-
nressions of sorrow, proceeding from that