The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-01-30
Abiuaooll Omaluiall.
Friday, Jan. 80, 1863.
The Execution.

The Execution.
On Friday last, pursuant to sentence, the
two negtoes, Jerry and Jim, who brutally
murdered MIR. VIM. Mcdaniel Jr.. OF this
county, in October last, were hung in this VI
entity.
When the circumstances of the murder tor
which these incarnate devils were executed
are called upi-its unprovoked atroclty-the
inoaensive and amiable character OF the victim
the large and helpless family so cruelty be-
reaved-the. vicious and dangerous character
ct the outlaws who perpetrated the deed-ho
stronger evidence could be given of the high
moral tone and law abiding disposition of
this community, in not intiicting prompt and
merited punishment without the form of law,
Immediately after the apprehension of the
culprits.
Not only were they tried by regular Court
with able counsel assigned them, but respite
Of more than thirty days was given them to
prepare for their fate. During all this time
they were allowed the exhortations and advice
of the ministers of religion, and every immu-
nifty that far less guilty wretches could have
expected. Indeed, forbearance under the cir
cumstances was wonderful virtue.
Jerry, the master spirit in the crime, ma
infested far more penitence than his accom-
plice, and much greater dread of the galows.
AT about quarter past II the dr"p fell, and
they swung of into eternity. They struggled
but little, but life fingered in jim, some Is
minutes longer than in Jerry, tho the strug-
giles of the latter were the most violent.
As usual, on sucl4 occasions, there was, TAX
ing everything into consideration-the many
persons absent from the country, the familiar
ity of the people with death-scenes, and the
unfavorable condition of the roads, very
large concorrse present to witness the sight.
At an early hour'they began to pour into town
from the farthest limits Of this and adjoining
counti,s. and from the gorges and coves Of
the mountains They came by railroad, in
wagons, ON horses and mules, and hundreds
came waling up 10 their knees in mud. Some
rode bare backed. Others on sheep-skms, and
OInSTS again Will tIiitcIS DtiHu-Di
Little boys and negroes galloped into town
almost breathless, despatched with mud and
wild with excitement to see two negroes chok-
ed to death. But stranger still was it TO see
probably not less than thousand hearty, 70
bust young men, !ostiing and elb"wing their
way through the dense mass of humanity to-
wards the field where the scene was to be en-.
acted and when we saw them working and
twisting their tortueus way like SO many cells
ia the mud, we wondered if they would have
been as eagcrard as hurried if there had been
a squad Of Yankees in that direction. If
stonewaIl Jackson had them. he would cross
the Potomac in a week. But he hasn't got
them. Wonder if they will be here when Maj
Terry holds his court?
But this is DEPRESSION. We will close the
account with the confessions of. the culprits
rs voluntarily given:
JERRY'S CONFESSION.
The following is the substance of Jerry's
confession on the evening before the execu-
ton We take it from letter dictated by
him to his mother:
send you few lines concerning the mur-
der of Mr. Mcdaniel, which will be the last
YOU will ever receive froul your dear SON.
Jack, Jim and myself were walking along,
when we saw a man coming across the bill
trwA DIS us with gun. We went to the fence
and were sitting,n it. when he came and got
on the fence, and asked US where we got such
LARGE ROLLS af aather I tnld him we Unt thou
in Tennessee, and were going to the Salt
Works. He asked us if we didn't know tina,
everything was bnund down in Tennessee, and
that We. couldn't bring anything out of the
State. We told him ace brought it out of the
State, He said, boys, tlnoks mighty strange
to see you cafr:ing such big rolls of leather
through the wa,ds--pick it up and take il
down to Mr Prestons."
Ji,r said 80 Mr. Mcdaniel, 4'You stav her,
by the leather till we gn to the spring and ge
a drink, and then we'll come hack and carr,
it to Mr.. Preston's." | said, "Jim, come bacl
and carry the leather where the man told yo,
II Amt going to carry mine over" put nj,
hand in my pocket rs if was going to pnl
out pietoi, and Mr.. Mcdaniel said. Dom
come ton close" tstanding with his gun cock
ed.) said to him shoot and be id Py,
got as many slpoting irons as anybody
said to Jack, 4.get over. the fence there an,
take hold Of him" Jack got over and tool
hold of him, while tried to get the gun os
of his hands | couldn't get it out. and sho
it off in his hands, then snatched the, gul
out of his hand and hit him on the arm.
hit him three or four ticks, and cut a lon
cash on his temple, and one on his arm, wit
the gun.
We all left him. took our leather and wen