The Portland daily press., 1864-03-22
MISCELLANY.
Capital Punishment.

Blake for murder, who was convicted on cir
cumstantial evidence and hung. About three
months after his death, the Judge who pre-
sided at the trial received note from pris
oner under sentence of death, requestin z to
see him without delay, as his sentence was to
be carried into effect the day following. On
his way thither he overlook an old man walk
ing slowly, who aceosted him, and the judge
recognised him to be Caleb Grayson, who
had been witness at Blakes trial, and had a
similar note to his own, equally at loss to
know the meaning of the summons. They
entered the cell together. The prisoner did
not move, but raised his head, when Grayson
recognized having seen him at a tavern the
night before Blake's execution, and at the
gallows.
swell, Judge, sent for you to see if you
can't get me out of this scrape. Must hang
tomorrow ?"
The Judge shook his head: ats idle to
hope, nothing can prevent your execution. ="
IAN application might be made to the
highest authorities" answered the prisoner
"Pardons have come sometimes on the scat
fold"
"None will come in your case" said the
Judge. "It is needless for me to dwell on
your offense now, for it was one that had no
palliation, and you may rest assured that
whatever may have occurred in other cases,
no pardon will come in yours. In fact, l I'M
derstand that an application has been made
for one by your Council, and has been refus-
ed.
The features OF the prisoner underwent no
change, nor did the expression of his face al
ter In the least. After moments pause, he
said: as this true, Judge-upon your hon
or?'
at is," replied the Judge.
"Then know the worst, replied the Grim
inal, coldly, +" and will now tell what have
to communicate, which wonld not have done
while there was a hope of escape. You" he
said, turning to the Judge, presided at the
trial of young Harry Blake, who was accused
Of murder, and sentenced him to DEATH
81 did"
sand you" turning to Grayson, "were one
of the witnesses against him. You swore
you saw him stab Wickliffe. On your testi-
mony principally he was hung"
81 was" said Grayson; l saw him with my
own eyes"
The prisoner uttered a low, sneering laugh,
as he said, turning to the judge
"You, sir, sentenced an innocent man.
.And you," turning to the other, "swore to
a falsehood. Harry Blake did not kill Wick
life. He was as innocent of the sin of muir
der as you were-more innocent than you
are now
The old man staggered as if he had been
struck, and leaned against. the table TO sup
port himself, while the condemned felon stood
opposite, looking at him with an Indifferent
air.
"Yes, old man." said he, sternly, "You have
blood and perjury on your soul, for /, !" said
he, stepping forward SO that the light OF the
lamp fell strongly upon his savage features,
81 murdered William Wicklifie did it!
Thank God did it, for had a long score TO
settle with him! But Blake had no hand in
it. met WicklifIe on that afternoon alone
with no one to interfere between us. | told
him of the injuries he had done me, and
told him that the time was come for redress
He endeavored to escape, but followed him
up; grappled with him, and stabbed him
As did so l heard the clatter OF horses
hoofs, and / leaped into clump of bushes
that grew by the roadside. At that moment
Blake came up, and found Wicklifie dead 10
the road. You know the rest. The tale he
told was as true as the gospel. He was only
attempting TO draw the knife from the man
breast, when you came up and charged hin
with the murder.
"Good God Can this be possiblew ejacu-
lated the old man. at cannot. William, you
are A sl llsrp avn. =.
there could gain BY a ih fe man; VIVA. !
die"
II don't believe it don't believe it," ex
claimed Grayson, pacing the cell and wiring
Ing his hands. Sod in mercy grant that il
may be false that this dreadful sin may no
be upon me-"
The prisoner sat down and looked at the
Judge and the witness with ealmness tina
had something in it almost fiendsh, wheI
.contrasted with the extreme agitation of the
one and the mental agony ofthe other.
AT last the old man stopped in front of him
and with calmness so suddenly assumed ia
the midst OF his paroXysm of remorse. that
teven oyerawed the criminal, said: "You
are one whose life has been d tissue of false.
hood and crime. You must prove what you
have said, or Ill not believe it,"
Be it So" answered the prisoner. 81 saw
the whole transaction, and heard all your tes-
timony at the trial; for was there too. I'll
now tell you what occurred at the spot of the
murder, which you did not mention, but which
saw. When you rode up, the man with
you jumped off his horse and seized Blake
by the collar and your hat fell off on the POM
mel Of your saddle, but you caught it before
1t reached the ground. You then sprang of
your horse, and while Walton held Blake you
examined the body. You attempted to pull
the knife from his breast, but it was covered
with blood, and slipped from your fingers.
You rubbed your hands on the ground an
going to bush on the roadside, broke of
some leaves and wiped your hands upon them
and afterwards the handle of the knife You
then drew it out, and washed it In little
puddle at the foot OF the sumach bush. As
you did so you looked at Blake, who was
standing with his hands folded, and who said
Don't be uneasy about me, Caleb. | didn't
kill Wicklife, and don't intend to escape" At
that time you were within six feet OF where
was. Its lucky you didn't find me, for |
was ready at that moment to send you TO
keep company with Wickliffe; but saw all
even wnen you stumbled and dropped your
glove as you mounted your horse"
God have mercy on me.' circulated
Grayson. "This is all true. But one word
more. heard Wickliffe as we rode up shriek
out, Mercy mercy, Harry
HE was begging Tor his life then; my first
name is Harry"
The old man clasped his hands across his
face, and fell sensless TO the floor.
IL is needless to 90 into the details of the
prisoners confession, which was so full and
clear that it left no doubt on the mind Of the
Judge that he was guilty of Wckliife's MUIR
DER, and that Harry Blake was another OF
those who have gone to swell the list of VIC