The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-07-13
Capital Punishment,

In the Democratic Review tor Noyem.
Der, l842. there was an account Of the
trial Of Harry Blake, for murder. who
was convicted upon circumstuntiol evi.
dence and hung. About three months
af'er his death, the Judge who presided
at the trial, received note from prison.
er under sentence Of death, requesting 10
see him without delay, as lis sentence
was 10 be carried into effect the day fol.
lowing. On his way hiiher he overlook
a man walking slowly, who accosted him.
and recognized him to be Caleb Grayson,
who had been witness at Bake's trial,
and had similar mole Of his own, but
equally al a loss to know the meaning Of
the summons. They both entered the
cell together. The prisoner did not
move, but only raised his head, when
Grayson recognized having seen him a.
tavern the night before Blake's execu.
tion and at the gallows.
"WelI, Judge" said he, Il sent for
You 10 see II you cant get me out Of this
scrspe. Must hang tomorrow"
The Judge shook his head. "Il's idle
to hope-nothing can prevent your exc.
cuion."
"An application might be made TO The
highest authorizes" said the paisoner.--
"Paidons have come some times even on
The Scaffold."
None will come in your case" re-.
piled the Judge. "Itis needless for me
to dwell on your offence now, but it was
one that had no palliatiou, and you may
rest assured, that whatever may have
occurred in other csses, no pardon will
come in yours. In iaci, l understand
that an application has been made for
one by your counsel, and has been re,
fused"
The features Of the prisoner underwent
no change; nor did the expression OF his
countenAnce alter in the least. But, after
moments pause. he said: "Is this true,
Jnd2e-upon your honor?"
at is" replied the Judge.
"Then ! know the worst" replied the
criminal coldl-, "and will now tell wha'
] have to communica'e, which | would
not have done. while there was a hope o.
escape. "iou," said he, turning to the
Judge. "presided at the trial OF young
Harry Blake. who was accused of muir
der. and sentenced him to DEATH"
al did"
"And you" said he, turning to Gray
son, Twas one Of the Witnesses agains
him. You swore that you saw him stai
Wlcklitfr. On your testimony rrinci
prly he was hung"
ut was," replied the old man; II saw
him with my own eyes"
The prisoner uttered low sneerins
laugh, as he said, turning to the Judge.
"You, sir, r,senlenceG an innocent man.
"And you," said he, turning 10 tn
other, ,swore to falsehood. Harry Blake
did not kill Wickliffe. He was as limo
cent Of the sin OF murder rs you were
q. more innocent than YOU are now"
The old man staggered as If he hat
been struck. and leaned against the tabl,
10 support himself. whilst The condemned
|; felou stood opposite to him, looking a
him with a cool, indiGeren: air.
"Yes,ol man you have blood and per
jury on your soul, for |, l." SAID he, step
ping forward so that the light OF the lam
fell strongly upon his features, 81 mur
dered William Wickille did It Than
God. did it, for | had long score t
P settle with him But Blake had no han,
t in it. l met WickIiiIe on that afternoon
e aone--with none TO interfere between Il,
|" l told him OF the injuries he had done me
and ] told him the lime was come for re
dress. lie endeavored TO escape hut
followed him up, igrappled with him an
stabbed him. As | did so I heard III
clatter OF a horses feet ,and I'ieaped int
a clamp OF bushes which grew at the roa
side. At that moment Blake came W
c and found Wicklife lying dead in the roaC
You know the rest The tale he told WI
= true as the gospel. He was only attemp
ing to draw the knife from the man
breast, when you came up and charge
him with the murder /"
o GOOD God Can this be possible ?
- calculated the old man. at cannot J.
Villain. you are liar"
"Pshaw !" mu;lered the man, "Wb
$ could l gain by a lie Tomorrow
die"
II don I believe it. don't believe it
r. exclaimed Grayson, pacing The cell, an
wringing Lis hands. "God in mere
grant that it may be false ! that th
dreadful sin may not be upon me ~
c. The prisoner sat down and looked
the judge and the witness with cain
ness which had something almost fendis
in it, when contrssted with the extren
= agitation of the one, and the mental agou
Of The other.
J Al last the old man stopped in front
er him. and, with a calmness so suddenl
e. assumed in the midst Of his paroxysm
e. remorse, that il even overawed the erin
inal. said: "You are one whose lie b.
= been tissue OF falsehood and crime
You must prove what you have said I
I'll not believe it,"
= "Be it so," replied the prisoner, :
~ ~ saw the whole transaction. and heard q
iss your testimony at the trial; for vi
there too. I'll now tell you what o
Cured at the spOa Of the murder, whi'