Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-04-21
CITY AND SUBURBAN.

horses from Or. Sterling, a citizen, and employed
Andrew Taylor, a white man, his employee, as
driver. They set out on the 18th avowedy for this
city. but on reaching Bushs Mill in James City
county, in accordance with plan previously deter
mined upon, they murdered Taylor with an axe and
threw his body into the mill pond. At the time Of
its occurrence we gave in the columns Of the WIG
minute account Of this celd-blooded and fendish
murder. Although it was perpetrated from hope
Of GAIN they got nothing Of value except the horses
and vehicle, which were brought by them to a point
below Richmond then taken across james River
and carried to Petersburg by Shields for the purpose
Of making sale OF them. Before he could do 80,
however, he was arrested upon the information Of
Clarke, his accomplice, who remained at the house
of man named Jordan short distance below
Richmond. Clark, as soon arrested, made a
clean breast Of 10 Detective Goodrich, and charged
Shields with being the principal murderer. The lat
Ter, however, contended that Clarke was equally
guilty with himself
On the 10Th day Of February they were tried by a
court martial in this city, Of which Major Besse
was President, aud found guilty Of murder in the
first degree. Clarke was sentenced to the peniten-
tary for life and Shields to suffer death by hanging.
Clarke was shortly afterwards assigned quarters in
the State pententiary. Shields was confined in the
Libby to await the execution Of his sentence.
SHIELDS DEMEANoR FROM TIE TINE OF HIS SEN
rENCE TO BIS EXECUTION.
On being informed Of the finding OF the court in
his case by Lieutenant Hunter, then commandant
Of the Libby Shields neither expressed surprise nor
evinced the slightest feeling or emotion but on the
contrary received it with the same deyil-may-care
indifference as to consequences that characterized
him up to the last moment Of his life. To the at
tachees Of the prison he frequently remarked that
as Il had TO be- the sooner it was over the better.
The priests Of the Catholic Church Of this city were
unremittng, up 70 the last moment in their endea-
vors to prepare him for the sad reality which shortly
awaited him, but all 70 no purpose, as their most
solemn appeals and teryent prayers fell as seed upon
stony ground. While polite to them, as he was to
all who visited him, in their absence he invariably
laughed TO scOn their earnest socitude for his spirit
ual welfare. He was very bitter against Sergeant
Caeker and others on duty at the Libby, and became
very much excited when alluding to them, but on
Thursday night he made friends with the sergeant
He was not ironed during his confinement and was
permitted to shave himself up three days previous
to his execution when a soldier was sent TO do this
for him. He laughed at the precauton they took
TO prevent him from committing suicide, and jocu-
iary informed the soldier who shaved him, Thurs
day, that he would enjoy the proud satisfaction Of
knowing that he was the last man that ever took
Tom Shields beard Oh. He repeatedly complained
that Clarke, who acknowledged his guilt was only
sent to the Penitentary. while he, who no more
guilty was to suffer the extreme penalty Of the law
He added, however, that he would rather go to the
galOws than to the Penitentary for even ten years
much less for life. He wrote out thrty-seven pages,
which he intended to read under the gallows, but
subsequently burned them.
On Thursday he was visited by several Of the re-
pOrers Of the city papers and Captain Belts, Of the
police, all Of whom he received cordially He
smoked during the interview, and related, in the
most cheerful manner various incidents Of his per-
voual history, which We will narrate under the pro-
per head. On Thursday night he expressed a desire
to see Richard Turner, who was confined in the cell
adjoining his. His request was granted. Again,
yesterday morning, he made similar request
which was also granted.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXECUTION
By ten o'clock crowd, consisting principally Of
negroes of both sexes and boys had gathered at
snch available points as would give them a view of
that time until one o'clock, the hour Of execution it
continued to increase the colored element STILL how
ever predominating,
At eleven o'clock, company H. Eleventh United
states infantry, detailed a guard, drawn up
10 front Of the Libby, when the following letter was
read to them. During its reading the most perfect
silence prevailed in the ranks.
LIBBY PRIsON,l
Richmond, Va, April Goth.
To First Sergeant james SGddier, Company H.
EicreHh United States igfoatyy;
DEAR SGR-I take this the last opportunity !
shall ever have to address you few lines 10 return
my heartfelt thanks for the kindness have received
from You and all the men Of yOur company You
will please, sir, return my thanks 70 all the men,
hope my request according TO your promise, will be
complied with.
&c am sir, with much respect,
Your old friend,
"THOMAS SHIELDS"
At an early hour Shields despatched the following
letter to the military authorities who readily
coded to his request. This seemed very gratifying
to him. as the idea Of his body being disected had
prayed upon his mind more than he was willing to
admit Every once IN while, however, in his in
teryews with visitors he would recur to this subject
LIBBY PRISON, !
" RICHMOND, April IS, 1866
Major General Granger, Commanding Department
Of Virginia;
"SIR have the honor TO request that my body be
delivered TO Sergeant J. Saddler, Company II, Third
D station Eleventh United States Infantry TO be
- ii over to the Rev. Dr. Becker for nterment
,vbi,I, -equest hope will be complied with.
d. am, sr, very respectfully yours, &C. -.
THOMAS Shields
From, % o,.l >ck until l. persons holding tickets
-..-, .su,i,,.s u assigned places on the second
floor where Shields. and number Of soldiers
we've confined in cells. Among the spectators
were the reporters Of the Richmond dailies and the
New York Herald and IT bHHe. The guard had
been previously stationed so as to keep the crowd
from approaching too near eth, to Shields cell OF
the tran door through which he was 20 ial- Inc
Rev. DR.. Becker and Father r. II. Anu'e"S Wer'
Wi.h the condemned all the moynug bui ineil
PRAYERS and efforts seemed a. unaFahins Us
before in bringing him TO repentance "
ten minutes to one he asked 10 see turner
and. in bidding him a last farewell, Wept-a weak
ness we had not deemed him capable o. lie heN'
sent for a soldier named Hartly, confined ior ueSer'
ton. to quote his language, for cracking
crib" which we were informed means burglary
Hartly and shields were friends Of long standing
but on parting neither displayed any great amount
knet and apparently joined his spiritual attendants
in PRAYER. At one o'clock Sergeant Claeker and
four of the guard went into his cell and
informed him that the hour for
THE EXECUTION
had arrived. Taking him firmly by the arms, they
conducted him at rapid pace through the crowd
and then up the steps to the third story. As he
passed along his face was flushed and his eyes wen
very blight from the effects Of the stimulants which
had been administered to him during the morning
Recognizing an acquaintance, he cried out al I'M
pitch Of his voice, Good bye, jim" following
quickly in the same tone, I'm drOpthe son ofab-l
that drops me-
On reaching the third story he was placed on tb'
drop, door which had been made for the purpose
Here be prayed briefly for Sergeant Clacker an'
s.id 10 would shake hands with him but his hand
,v,,, ia The Sergeant took him by the wrist anl