The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-05

AAss hOur-Con00ct Oi INC rFisoncr fEIor -
His Respite.
From the st. Louis Republican Oct a.
Yesterday was the day set for the execution or
William Banks the colOred man convicted OF the
ernor having expired. In the morning there was
little expectation Of any further repreve. and the
preparations for the execution were AL completed.
latai work Some little improvements were also
made In the trap door OF the drop and the scafold
the prisoner little after ten O'Clock yesterday fore
noon, we found no evidence OF hope. Banks was
s e Y hs low a% ss
Methodist church, AS we entered, the two gentle
men named were singing hymn, in which the voice
old strain, "Rock Of Ages cleft for Me- &C Banks
seemed restless. His demeanor was that Of man
BY force Of win. He seemed prepared for his fate
and to have abandoned hope. He was neatly dressed
and appeared in good health, although he said ne
killing OF Charlotte Duncan, he repeated the story he
had told all along. He was asked some questions In
reference to the matter, and he replied slowly and in
distinct voice and looking his questoner straight
In the face One question was a. foll0ws:-
Banks, for the satisfaction q your friends and
other parties Interested, and at this solemn time
ask you II the facts as to the killing OF Charlotte
duncan are true, and you have no change 70 make
In what you have before saidY
Eyes, sr;r he answered, "They are true" He sub
sequently added
~ would do me now no good to speak falsely, but.
as God Is my judge, did not intend to Kill her.
In reference 70 the evidence OF the colored man
named Foster, who testified on the trial that Banks,
IN saloon, had expressed threats against this GIRL
he, In the most soleuln manner as dying man.
affirmed that he had never held the conversation
mentioned on the trial, and that Foster testified
twas Foster an enemy Of yourssr", was question
asked. .He was, sir" "6n account Of the girl
it is unnecessary further to detail the conversation
which took place IL was In substance but what the
man has said In reference to the killing before. He
said he had no enmity to the judge or jurors or any
OF the officers connected with his conviction and
pressed himself prepared to die. ~,
not kill o man In New Orleansr, He SAID "No;I had
difnculty with q man in New Orleans about some
billiard balls and struck him with my fst-that
The gentlemen who were with him said he had
clear, Intelligent views on religious subjects, and
tion During the last few weeks ne has mad any
number Of religious advisers, and In one we under
stand slight erusn TOOK place between tne REPRE-
yesterday that about two weeks ago he requested
the Rev: Wm Porteus, city missionary, to be with
active in endeavoring to obtain q Communication Of
the sentence having been for some tune impressed
with conviction OF the truth OF Banks explanation
Of the killing OF Charlotte Duncan.
Between ten and eleven O'Clock the cell Of Banks
was visited by numerous persons, and quite small
THE RETRIEVE.
1t was eleven O'Clock by the watch when the Rev.
men, who had been to intercede with Governor
Fletcher on behalf OF the condemned criminal, ap-
piled at the outer yard door OF the jail for admission.
1t was not the first time that they had been admitted
that morning, and the door was al once opened to
them. There was some hurriedness in their manner,
they feared that they might arrive too late and
they seemed Otherwise to be free from all anxiety
and sadness. Their GRAND was quickly told, and
the news that a reprieve had been granted
passed from person 10 person about the jail
with rapdity which was surprising. MIR. Por-
the jail and he FASTENED to the iron stairway leading
to the third row of cells where Banks was. I've en-
tered with four or i've persons, and found Banks
engaged in religious conversation with gentleman.
The condemned man must have known by their
mode OF entrance that he was TO receive some I'M
portant information for he from his pallet,
When Mr.. Porteus exclaimed "A reprleve for thirty
days." every eye was fixed upon the prisoner to see
how he would receive the news. He seemed over
come with emotion, and calculated amid perfect still
ness, Thanks be to God !" Then came the shaking
self during the remainder Of his life TO the service
OF Christ. The assurance, II promise 70 devote
returned in an earnest and unhesitating manner.
Then he thanked his friends for the warm interest
manifestea IN him. and went on TO say ~ eau the
MURDER and would not, In the condition stand
call on Almighty Cod whom may soon appear be-
fore, TO witness lie; did not shoot Charlotte ON
purpose. forgive the witnesses cheerfully, and
pray that they VIII go to God with penitent
God win forgive them il they go to him. He asked,
with his frame quiverng, els it Communication 20
os thirty the reply ns
engaged In subsequent religious exercises wi th ear
nestness.
sumed the Governor intends to commute the SEN
tence, otherwise 1t Ia worse than cruel to keep the
Wretcneu prisoner osclatlng between lear anu nope
AS to his guilt or innocence OF the crime for which
he has been convicted, further evidence, one way
or the other, can be expected.
Those who think the shooting may have been &C
cidental are as firm In their opinion ever; but
they need expect no additional evidence As to the
desire manifested by certain parties TO hunt up evi-
dence aQainat Ranks of other offences
somewhat out OF place. The direct question Is
whether or not he is fair object Of Executive Glenn
ency In reference to the crime OF which he now
stands convicted
The Governor has every opportunity Of finding
we understand Mr.. Johnson, Circuit Attorney, is
said to be among the number Of those in favor Of
committing the sentence.
In reference to the reprieve granted yesterday the
following are the entries on the minutes OF the Grim
ina C0urtThe Judge appoints the sth inst. for the
execution, but that Is merely to give time for the
formal reprieve to be received, which, as above
stated, Is for thirty days.
ST. LOUIS, Oct. ], 1868.
Hon. WILSON PRIxx, Judge Of the Criminal Court of ST.
Dsss IST the SDS:s o. giving further thine q:
Of William ann Banks have to-day issued further
mailed BY the Secretary Of state Jefferson City today but
canuot reach The Marshal until .onorrow The former
cuon.
unit, he respi. can arrive There to 6s deep com
yic.ion mind. q that there rood
portunity 10 present their Very respectfully
TH0S. Q. FLETCHER, Governor OF Missouri.
Then comes the following
In view Of the foregoing letter from the Governor Of the
state to the Judge Of this court and the court deemn that
the statements therein contained sufficient shown
proong the time for the execution OF William Banks here
ofoe sentenced to be hung on the lh OF September s5s
and rcsptcd by the Governor this LIST day Of October 1866
ordered BY the court that the time for the execution OF
the said William Banks heretofore fired by the judgment
proossd the sob day on Which s
OF this court ordering the execution OF said Banks
shall be carried into effect BY tho Marshal between the hours
and at the place indicated In said sentence.
SMASHING UP TINE CINCINNATI AND ST. LOUIS TOBACCO
RINGS
Government Detectives ON the TracIx-Sei.
zure of Factorics-Discovery Of Enormous
Frauds.
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