Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-03-15

From this sitting posture he was lifted TO his feet
three times, and had finally to be held up by Mr.,
Wiley till the support was knocked from under him,
and be was left dangling in the mir,
After hanging about half nm hour he was taken
down in the arms of two negro men and deposited
in common lat-top pine coffin, painted red, which
had been placed beside the gallows 10 receive his
remains From the time the pins Of the platform
had been knocked away until he was taken down,
there did not seem TO be the slightest movement OF
hi- muscles or contorton of his limbs, and every
one thought his death was ms sudden rs that which
usually ensucs from the breaking Of the neck but
upon examination by DR., Upshur, the physician OF
the prison, assisted by the Assistant Surgeon II was
found that strangulation Ind caused his death and
that his neck had not been broken, The expression
of his countonance indicated an easy death, and
there were no traces Of agony depicted thereon,
In appearance Daaton seemed TO be about thirty
five Years of age five feet ten or eleven inches high,
sallow complexion, dark eyes, prominent nose
pretty fiar forehead and wore n slight moustaohe
and imperial lie was attrcd in light brown pants,
black Irocl cont, and hg-crowned black felt hat,
all well worn his tout ensemble exhibited common,
ignorant man, in u social point of view, He was
captured Mt Knoxville Tenn, on the 9th Of August,
In the term, of the Court Martial he was charged
with being Yankee recruiting officer and spy
in our lines on both Of which indictments he was
found guilty, The trial took place in Western Vir-
gnia, and was conducted by the officers of General
Sam, Jones command. Upon the headbourd which
is TO designate his burial place, Deaton requested
that the following memorandum should be made
Captain Spencer Dcaton Go. b, 9Th East Tennes-
see Infantry His fathers address he gave rs VIM
Deaton, Strawberry Plains, Jefferson county, East
Tennessee. He also claimed to have Il brother who
is Colonel of renegade Tennessee regiment.
Circumstances have rendered it eXpedieut that we
should witness number of executions, but in no
instance has the subject eynCed such alarm and des
pair rs was shown by the unfortunate victim who
was hung on yesterday. Incidents which have oC
Cured during the last two weeks of his life plainly
indicate that he entertained strong hope Of being
rescued from hi impending doom by the Yankee
forces. Iii. execution was first set for yesterday
week but from a letter which he had written to
President Davis, stating that he was not then pre-
pared TO die, his execution was put of for week,
and we are informed that during Thursday night
before the decision Of the President had been made
known to him, he would frequently inquire whether
! fighting was not going ON in the streets and if it
! was not thought the Yankees would take Richmond
before day, His attending physician expressed the
belief that had ii not have been for stimulants which
| had been given him for Il few weeks back he would
have died from mental as well as physical prostra-
ton and is satisfied that he had fallen away at least
forty pounds.
The execution was also witnessed byA large mum
Der Of the prisoners confined in Castle Thunder all
of whom seemed to view it with the utmost interest.
Ii is to be hoped that the fate of this man will have
Il tendency TO make all who ever contemplated VIC
lang them, respect the laws Of thecountry which
! they reside