The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1864-07-06

|
had shot that afternoon; he was by, aud,
picking itup, remarked that Il was an ex-
oellent shot. Williams left him, and went
in tho direction of Woods house with the
squirrel in his hand. The handkerchief
unwound from Millie's neck had the letters
NJ. w. in one corner. 1ruo, these were the
initials of Miles own name, but her moth.
or positively avowed sho owned no such
article. Satisfied with these ciroumstan-
ces, the officer at once arrested Williams,
as before mentioned.
Tho prisoner was hurried 10 the nearest
magistrate. and the evidence | have do.
tailed given before him. In addition 70
this, spots OF fresh blood were found on his
coat-sleeve and as Woods had been rob-
bed of some gold and silvea coin of pc.
culiar character two or three of the pieces
wero found upon the unfortunate mans per.
son. This riveted the final link. aud the
crowd grew furious. Little Milo, SO good
so loved and loving, all remember
ed as child of their own; and she to, DO
butchere lfor gold---the law seemed too slow
and mild for vengeance ; and the crowd,
now swelled to hundreds, swayod to and
fro, shouting angrily for blood,
4 convict but lately released from pris-
on, FASTENED forward with a rope, threw it
over post, while some of the citizens, in
answer to this mute suggestion, hurried the
unlor tunate Miles Williams towards the
impromp tn gallows.
"0h, gentlemenV screamed the young
man, frightened at what appeared his inev-
table fate. Have mercy upon mel am
innocent-indeod am-havo mercy"
His voice was drowned in roar from
the crowd. "Who had mercy on little Mil
lieH Hang him, hang hint and again
they pushe him towards the fatal post.
ooh, God !" cried the unhappy man, in
bitter anguish, and trembling like q child
"will no one pitymep have q widowed
mother-mercy, mercy-wait little while
only little while SurelyI can prove
my innocencel"
One, alone answered this last appeal
young lawyer of eminent ability, and
personally popular, eprong forward severed
the rope, and then in clear, silvery voice
that rung ont high above the tumult, said
"My friends, be careful of your acts
You are about to do what in this man you
condemu--an awful murder. Chain him
down, do what you will to secure the crim-
inal, but respect the law -
And give Squire B. a chance tc
clear him" interrupted the convict have
mentioned.
"ro that man fresh from the cells, have
nothing to say" replied the lawyer 4" bu
to you, my companions, neghbors friends
| appeal-earnestly appeal. Why will
you do this cruel thing? What right have
you to commit murder? How will yol
answer to the great Giver of all good for
thsP Where is your authority ?"
Whose sheddeth mans blood, by MAJ
shall his blood be she'd" responded harsl
voice, and the crowd turning saw whero
torch waved over stern, unfeelng face
the countenanoe of their preacher 1t wa
a time gathered feeling, checked by som
great obstacle, pauses in its rash career
aud for moment there seems doub
which way tho tide will flow. The awfu
passage so solemny quoted fell on tn
crowd ut that moment, whom the slightes
word would have turned them from thei
purpose, and stimulated as it seemed t
them by command from Heaven, theN
s once more seized their trembling captive
when the old captain, whom Williams hat
importuned for passage, claimed to b
heard:
v Comrades" said he, Esquire B.
thinks we hadn't ought to hang this fellow
Well, I'll tell you what We'll do. IIe want
cd to sail with me this day, notwilhstand
ing the threatening storm. lie shall do sc
Wen take him outside the Bay--tie hin
in an open boat and set him adrift. The
the Lord have mercy on him. What say
you?"
a shout of appreciation was tho respons
and they hurried Williams to the shore. i
, the meanwhile the storm grow loud, AM
: bitter in the dark night, their torche
: beaten out by the wind and rain, the grea
Q crowd heard the angry waves dashing owe
Q the rude pier, their courage failed, an,
I seven only were found ready for the enter
4 80 kayif
= their victim in their midst, tho cables wer
o cut, and tho little schooner, like frighter
ed bird, flew towards the entrance Of tn
J. harbor.
Q Perhaps no scene ever painted itself o
/ the canvas of real life so startling, wier
/ and strange as this. While the stout-hear
b ed skipper Steered his vessel, his eompar
0 ions were engaged in binding their yictr
, down to the bottom of frail light skiff, i
which he was to be cast upon the angr
S waters. Soon the outside Of tho harbor wa
+, gained, and the skG, with its victim, sen
l adrift.
Short time had the executioners TO dwel
upon their ruthless deed. Their lives wer
in jeopardy. A storm so violent has seldor
a been equalled, and the little craft was work
J, ed, save the skipper, by unskilful hands,
9 Desperate efforts were made to regain tn
| X0afI, out III vail. luO bCnOOnoI ran, upO
1 q ledge of rocks and quickly went to pieces
' Two only Of its strange crew were saved
II the clergyman and the convict togethe
q reached the shore.
Q Some three years after these strang
e events, the Rev. Mr.. H was awakene
D one night by request to come immediatel
and administer religious consolation to
Il prisoner, who in attempting an escape fror
Jail had been mortally wounded by the ser
tinel on duty. The reverend gentlema
! folded his cloak about him, and accompan
d led by the Jailor, threaded his way through
Q snow and sleet to the prison. They foun
s tho prisoner writhiDg in pain upon his be
in gloomy cell. lit by dim candle, an
l. alone, for the surgeon had pronounced hi
case hopeless.
You've come at last growled the pris
oner, as the clergyman, approaching tn
bed, took from beneath his cloak boOl
a and began the duties pertaining to his sa
cred mission. You have come at last
Q thought I'd step out before you got here.
The clergyman tried in vain to calm III
y hardened wretch he would hear none o
e the consultations of religion. only ser
r for you said the wretched man, " to rS
+ ieve my mind OF secret and as you wer
, concerned in the business, | thought you
: be happy to hear it. Yon remember til
II night we launched that young clap ovel
s board who killed Mile Woods
A tremor like an ague ran through tn