The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-08-25


The Execution of Covert at Leba-
nOn-His Appearance and Con
duct-He Declares his Innocence.
As has been understood for some days,
samucl Mand Covert, convicted Of muir
derlng the Roosa family near Deerheld,
was hung in the Lebanon jail enclosure, at
noon yesterday
IL is needless TO recount any of the cir
cumstances or features Of the bloody deed,
or even revelt 10 the character of the tes-
timony on which he was convicted; all are
yet fresh in the minds Of our readers.
From the report made for the Cincinnati
Enquirer we extract what is of main inter-
est connected with the last chapter of the
tragedy.
lie slept well all of Thursday night, and
In the morning of the fatal day partook of
a hearty and well-relished breakfast. By
the way, the report that he was endcavor-
ing to stArve himself aud thereby cheat the
gallows of victim, had only for its foun-
dation the fact, that his mental torture, for
weeks, had almost destroyed desire for
food.
After breaktasting, the clothing In which
he was to meet his fate was produced, and
seemed to please his taste. It consisted of
plain black cassimere suit, with a white
linen shirt with open collar, and became
| him exceedingly. A pair of black cloth
CATERS, however. appeared more particu-
| larly to attract his fancy. lie looked at
them adniringly and even critically, and
when, upon trying them, he found them
4 A -
Sheriff Butler. When that officer proposed
to exchange them for a pair that would tit
him, Covert exclaimed: "Be sure and get
that style, now; it just suits me'-evincing
as much care and nicely as ii he had been
selecting them for II ball.
HIS SISTERS LAST FAREWELL.
About ten o'clock all other visitors to his
cell were excluded (save the Rev. Mr.. Snow
den), to permit two of his sisters, Mrs Me-
Neil aud Mrs Sutton, to bid him their last
adieu. The interview is described as hav-
| ing been affecting in the extreme. The
choking sobs and alfectionate utterances of
the two relatives who had clung to him and
his cause with that fidelity which it seems
| is vouchsafed alone to the gentler sex,
| however debased, were too much even for
Covert, reared. rs he had been. in thehaunts
of vice and infamy, and for the first time
his feelings overcame him, aud he wept-
wept freely.
He soon mastered his feelings, however,
and, soothing his sisters as best he could.
succeeded in quieting them to such an eX-
tent as to be able to converse with them.
Their interview was Of such nature as to
be sacred even to the journalist, however
much he may desire to crafty the prurient
taste of general public. He spoke of his
child, and of its future; and earnestly en-
joined upon his sisters the Importance of
seeking that consolation in religion which
true religion alone can give. Alludiug to
his sister Martina, who had steadfastly re-
fused to see him or TO assist him in the
terrible ordeals through which he had pas 4
ed, he said simply, "Alartha's troubled me
much in my thoughts.'
his REMAINING MOMENTS.
From the close of this interview ND to
the time of execution his time was occu-
pied i'll deep and earnest PRAYER with
Messrs. Snowden and Jenkins, in which he
expressed his extreme contrition for his
wayward career-never once, however, adj
mitting any completely in the awful crime
tor which he was soon to suffer. During
this time he was visited by Judge Smith,
with whom he conversed freely, again re-
iterating his innocence.
THE EXECUTION.
At precisely twelve o'clock the Sheriff
and his Deputies, followed by Covert. his
counsel and his spiritual advisers, entered
the frame building in which tue scaffold
stood, and which has been hitherto describ-
ed in the Enquirer. AS he stepped upon
the platform, he cast one quick nervous
glance at the group of twenty or twenty
five persons around the room, and then
quietly walked to the center. where he
stood, gazing steadfastly at those present
until the Sheriff handed him n chair.
lie sat down, for a moment, composed,
and upon being asked by Sheriff Butler iii
he had anything to say, quietly replied that
he had, and spoke materially as follows:
II am about to leave this world. | have
passed through great trials. SO far as the
officers have been concerned | have beenl
treated fairly; but not by the witnesses
who swOre against me. The witnesses who
said | told of the murder on Tuesday,
swore falsely. | hope l may never see my
God If | knew of the murder until the
Thursday after it occurred. | can lay my
hand on my heart and call God to witness
that ! am innocent of the murder of the
Roosa family. | hope to meet you all in
the next world"
The first few words of his remarks were
delivered in somewhat nervous manner. |
but the remainder were enunciated in a |
singularly calm and clear tctle of voice.
The Rev. Mr.. Snowdeu then addressed |
liihl IL lluIllDeT VI luleTrOSaUOrleS, TO winch |
he replied atflrmatively. Mr.. S. then offer
ed up a brief and touching appeal to the
Throne of Grace-a few simple, earnest |
words, which sank deep into the hearts of
his audience, and which seemed to affect
Covert. But not tear fell across his wan
aud sallOw cheek. The officers of the Aris- |
on. with voices choked with emotion, then |
bade him last farewell, TO which he re-
sponded with much apparent cordiality. |
The death-warrant was then solemnly read |
to him by Sheriff Butler, to which Covert |
paid but little attention. The fatal moose |
was placed about his neck, and the black |
cap was being adjusted, when Covert. adj
dressing Mr.. David Hicks of this city, |
against whom he had sworn falsely, said
David Hicks, | hope you'll forgive me
for what did against you"
Mr.. Hicks replied instantly: an freely
forgive you'll have no malice in the world
against you"
Again stepping back, and almost while
reiterating his Innocence, at twelve o'clock
and five minutes, the trap was sprung, and
the soul of Samuel Mand Covert was ush-
cred before the Great Ruler, to be Judged as
weak and errlng humanity can never
judge
His death must have been easy; for but
little convulson of the frame took place.
and even that was a very slight tremor of
the eNtTemities. In three minutas all mo Il