Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-01-01
II | s ELL I Il i q . d s /.
A Strange Story.

len years ago l was elected Sheriff of
- county, Illinois. This Was. NV first
election, and J. have been returned several
times since. A. first attempt to open court
Was made during an Important trial. Jhe
CRIMINAL was u depravcd, DESPERATE wretch.
who had been indicted ior an atrocious and
brutal mrrGer. The icllOv was greatly hard
ened and seemed to care but little how the
trial went; the evidence wis strong arainst
han, and when the case was8ubmtted to the
jury, ;hey rciuIued verdict OF guilty with.
out leaving their seats
The execution was fixed fora day two weeks
after the rIal, U. course II WAS Il q staste-
1ui Gu'y, assUie you Tor tltUugh knew
iui' well the man deserved his fate, did not
She .dea of hanging him | got throug n
with it, and set hiul to dancing in the arr
He struggled but httle. [ thought he had
an easy death. After hanging the usual time
De was cut down, and his body given to his
friends for interment. l thought had seen
;hc last OF the man, as the wagon containing
the body drove out of the jail-yard-but /
was greatly mistaken.
About four months after tho execution. I
happened 10 be passing my barn, whcu saw
man sitting in the doorway with his head
resting on his hands. I did not like his
looks, so approached him, and asked him
what he wTnted there. lie raised his head
and looked at me in silence. am not given
70 superstition, and / don't think I'm vorv
timid; but felt my blood grow ice cold as I
reco3uEed the man before me as the same
mao whose execution [ had conducted. HIS
face showed no trace of his violent end and
the only indication Of it, now visible. was
slight Disagreement Of the neck. | scarcely
knew what to say or think. for l had seen
him hung and pronounced deaG aud had de-
llvered his bod Y to his friends Tor burial and
yctatter lapse Of four months, there lie sat
looking at me with face as white as sheet
The terror which was exhibited in his coun-
tcnance convinced me that he was no ghost.
SO | asked him, with as much cooluese as |
could command:
Jack LarA.ngs, do you know NE 2"
"You're the man that hung me-" he re-.
piled d"ggedly, at the same time moving away.
Before you go, Larkings," said l, al would
like to know how you cheated the gallows"
ou won't peach on any of them folks
that helped me, will you ?' he asked.
"No,"-I replied, II will not get any of
them into any trouble; I simply wish to know
how you were resuscitated."
he hesitated for some time, but upon re,
newal of my assurances that none. of his
friends should be molested, be told me-the
following story: ,-s.s a.g
4 When l put the rope around his neck,
and lett him on the gallows, he felt a faint
ness about the heart, caused by realizing his
fearful situation for the first TIME !; but before
he had time to think, the trap was sprung,
andhe fell through theopening 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 yermillion hue, apd soft, dreamy Ian
guor stoleover him, until he became insensi-
BILE. There was nothing painful or unpleas-
apt in pything he bad undergone. He seemed
to he sinking into a delicious sleep, apd all
histhopghts were pleasant. The next he re-
mcmbered was being wrung by the most ago-
nizing torture. The pains were not confined
to any particular place, but extended through
the whole body. His first thought was that
he was in perdition, and was suffering the
penalty of his crimes. The pains increased
each moment, and at last became SO intense
that he started to his feet with scream oi
anguish, at the same time opening his eyes
Great was his surprise to find himself in his
fathers house; in the midst of his friends and
relatives: He tainted at once, and when he
recovered found himself in his own bed. AS
soon as it was thought safe to do, so, his
friends informed him that upon bringing his
body home, they had determined to rcsusci.
tate him, although they feared it would be
useless: They worked faithfully and at las
succeeded"
"But, sir" said the man in conclusion
looming to life again vas much worse thar
dying"
The man promised to leave the State and
! try to do better. had but little confdenc,
i in him, yet let him go. He kept his word
however, and short time ago 1 heard h,
was q well-to-do farmer in one of the terrific
ries. 80 -. -
This is the manner in which. / got m,
ideas abop! hanging, and think you will ad