Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-11-04
8aftfman's gonrnaI..
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE JOURNAL
Letter from Fort Reno, Va.
Fort RENO, Va, Oct. 23rd, 1859.

FoRr RENO, Va, Oct. 28rd, 1859.
DEAR Row Yesterday everythin was
| thrown into considerable excitement, conse-
| quent upon the occasion of the execution OF
DIR. David NJ. Wright for the murder OF Lieut..
| Sanborn, OF the ID ID. G. colored volunteers,
and who was respted one week from the 18th
| the original time appointed for the execution.
lhe excitement Was somewhat intensified by
bold attempt on the evening OF the 2lst, Of
the eldest daughter of the prisoner to cheat
| The gailows of its victim. and defeat the ends
OF Justice, which were never to be exercised
upon cnlprit more deserving OF the alter.
Ever since the Incarceration OF the Doctor,
MS family have bee n perm itted to visit him
and by their presence alleviate the rigors of
his confinement. Upon the evening of the
list in question, Miss Wright, the eldest
daughter came as usual to visit her Father
who was so soon TO answer for his crime against
the laws OF humanity. A short time after her
arrival, the lights OF the cell were eztinguish-
ed, circumstances altogether unusual for the
Doctor while his family, any Der OF it
was with him alter dark. This, together with
the fact that his daughter had entered and had
not departed, created suspicion at once, and
the Lieutenant in charge took the precaution
to place Al additional sentinel in front of the
cell door 10 watch the movements. Bnt not
"itnstandlng this pFecaution the artful scheme
OF the female was bound to triumph, and sho
succeeded ii attring the father in one of her
O"h tiCSSCS,dItSE "UlCu sue UfeW on DtS DOOta
and retired to his bed and covered up all e4.
cept the feet, which were LETT protrrdinz a.
was his custom. a II things being completed,
the bold attempt of carrying the plan into e1.
ecution remained. This was only too near
being successful. The Doctor passed the SEN
tlnei al the cell door without suspicion. and Is
was only after he had passed the double SEN
tries at the outer door, that one OF them cssu-
ally remarked that the figure that had just pas
sed was very .sll for Miss Wright, and II it
was her she must have grown very fast since
she entered. Phis awakened suspicion In the
mind OF the Lieutenant In charge, and to make
assurance doubly sure, he determined to fol
low the retresting figure and satisfy his sus-
picions. Tie came up with the figure about
fifty PAGES from the jail, and upon lifting tho
heavy veil which concealed the features, be
discovered that il was no less a person than
Dr. Wright.
The Doctor finding his scheme had failed,
expressed no surprise, simply reusarkin that
''desperate circumstances required desperate
attempts" Upon returning 10 his cell, the
daughter was found in, who, on learning that
the artitce had failed, was very much over
come and gave vent TO her feelings in despair.
The Doctor commended her TO the care of the
Lieutenant, who immediately escorted her to
Ter residence. Yesterday at half past ten A
W., the unfortunate man was launched into g.
ernity. BY good fortune succeeded in get
ing pass for Norfolk with the determine
ion OF Witnessing the performances. ! arrt-
'ed on the ground ,one and a hall miles south
'f the city just as the last clerical rites were
being performed on the scsaold. This done.
he hands of the culprit were pinioDed behind
him. after which he kneeled down and offered
ip short prayer in his own behalf. Upon
Using TO his feet, the moose was adjusted, the
zap was drawn over his face, and in two min
ties thereafter the drop fell. -.-.-sF.
Owing TO the length of the fall, which was
bout six feet, there was not struggle or the
movement of a limb. After hanging forty
I've minutes be was cut down, and taken In
hsrge OF his friends. To insure good order
considerable force OF the military were pres
nj, consisting of five regiments of infantry.
me battery and one squadron OF cavalry. -,Ev-
rything passed off quietly, there being no at
smpt at disturbance. Previous to- being
wung of the Doctor addressed the crowd
riehy, bnt could not hear distinct enough
. get the drift of his remarks. Being a map
wealth, many stories are circuls,ed as TO
ne stnpendous influences brought to bear to
rocure his release. One to the effect, that
is soD-iD- law (who was married in the jsil o
sw days ago) offered $40 900 In gold for his
insom. But this availed nothing. The law.
justice and humanity had been outraged,
I'D the blood of a martyred hero called aloud
,r vengeance. Had the escape been success
it,so tar as the military authorities Of the
ty were concerned, it is stated that Il was
le intention TO run the guentlet through the
mes, which failing, gold was to be agate
rought into re1uisiiiop to bribe the pickets.
ut he has now gone 10 his account, and In
Is death the Government has got rid Of an
nplacable enemy, which, though il does not
one for the loss OF loyal brave, may stand
an imperishable warning TO sll those who
link that Liberty will be subverted by covert
striking down its defenders.
Military news is very scarce here at present.
n expedition has been sent out towards g.
,abeth to support a small force we have al
ady there, as it Is rumored that the rebels
o concentrating some force thereabouts
1e weather has been pleasant for a long tim-
ok, but to-day the rain is falling freely.
le health Of the men here is comparatiyely
od. Sergt. Reece OF Ciearield County has
en- discharged from this battery for physical
stability. No braver sold Ter has been in the
rvice. Yours truly, w.n.p
A gentleman at ST. Paul, Minnesots, has