The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1866-06-02
How IL Man Felt who was
HansGd.
A SHERIFF STORY.

Wait till you hear it
Ten years ago ! was elected Sheriff of this
county. This was my first election, and
have been returned regularly ever sirce.-
My first attempt to open Court was made
during an important trial. The criminal was
depraved, desperate wretch, who had been
indicted for an atrocious and brutal murder.
The fellow was greatly hardened, and seemed
to care but little how the trial went-the ev-
idcnce was strong against him, and when the
case was submitted to the jury, they returned
IL verdict of guilty without leaving their seats.
The execution was fixed for day, two
weeks after the trial. OF course it was my
duty to put the rope around his neck, and
launch him into eternity. 1t was dstastG
full duty, assure you; for, though knew
full well the man deserved his DEATH did
not relish the idea of hanging him. got
through with it, however, and set him to
dancing in the air. He did not struggle
much and | thought. had an easy DEATH -
After hanging the usual time he was pro-
nounced dead, and was cut down, and his
body given to his friends for nterment.
thought had seen the last of the man, as
the wagon containing the body drove out of
the Jail yard; but was mistaken.
About four months after the execution.
happened to be passing my barn. when saw
n man sitting in the doorway. with his head
resting on his hands. did not like his
looks, so approached him and asked him
what he wanted there. He raised his head
md looked at me in silence. am not given
20 superstition, and don't think I'm very
timid, but felt my blood grow icy cold, as
| recognized in the man before me the per
son whose execution had conducted. His
| ace showed no traces of his violent end ;
he only indication of it, now visible was a
light Disagreement Of ,ae neck. | scarcely
lncw what to say or think, for had seen
i'm hung and heard him pronounced dead
md had delivered his body to his friends for
| burial, and yet, after a iapse of four months,
here he sat, looking at me with a face as
white as a sheet. The terror that was eX-
hibited in his countenance convinced me
| that he was no ghost, so asked him with as
much GOODNESS as | could command
"Jack Larklns, do you know me?''
you're the man that hung me- he re-
plied, doggedly, at the sanc time making
| away.
"Before you co." said /, ~ would like to
hn r., cd tln |,
"You won't peach on any of them folks
as helped me; will your he asked.
"No," replied II will not get them into
any trouble. Isimply wish tc know how you
, felt while you were hanging, and how you
were resuscitatcd.
| He hesitatcd for some time, but upon
| renewal of my as 'urance that none Of his
| friends should be molested he told me the
| following story;
| When put the rope around his neck and
left him on the gallows, he felt a fainting
about the heart, caused by his realizing his
| fearful situation for the first time; but be-
lore he had time to think, the trap was
sprung and he fell through the opening
! The shock of the fall was rather more start
ling than painful, and did not produce either
nsensiblity or confusion. His thoughts
were remarkably clear, and he seemed to
have the power of seeing far above, below,
and all around him. Everything assumed a
bright, vermilion hue, and a soft, dreamy
anguor gradually stole over him until he
became insensible.
There wes nothing painful or unpleasant
in anything he had undergone. He seemed
to be sinking gently into gentle sleep, and
all his thoughts were pleasant The next he
remembered was being rung by the most ex,
crnciating torture. The pains were not con-
fined to any particular place, but extended
through the whole body. His first thought
was that he was in perdtion, and was suffer
ing the penalty of his crimes. The pains
increased each moment, and at last became
so intense that he started to his feet with a
scream Of anguish, at the same time opening
his eyes Great was his surprise to find him,
self in his fathers house, in the midst of hi.
friends and relatives. He tainted at once,
and when he recovered found himself in his
own bed. AS soon as it was thought safe tc
do so, his friends informed him that, upor
bringing his body home, they had determined
to try to resuscitate it, although they feared
it would be useless. They worked faithfully
and at last succeeded.
"But, SIR" said the man in conclusion
'coming to life again was much worse thar
DYING
The man promised to leave the State ant
try to do better. | had but little confdenc,
in him, yet let him CO. He kept his word
however, and short time ago heard h,
was a well-to. do farmer in one of the terri
tories.
This, gentlemen, is the manner in which
got my ideas about hanging, and think yo,
will admit their force.