Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-11-10
Jeter Phillips to be Hung.

1t will be remembered that some months
since the Circuit Court of Henrico county, con-
demned Jeter Phillips to be hung on Friday,
the 9th Of November, for the murder of his
wife at Drinkers Farm several years ago. An
appeal from that judgment was taken to the
Court of Appeals, which, on Wednesday last,
confirmed the judgment Of the Circuit Court.
The Court granted him respite of six weeks.
The Dispatch of Thursday last, has the follow
ing in reference to the manner in which the
criminal received the news Of his fate
HOW PHILLIPS RECEIVED THE NEWS
When the news of the action of the Court
of Appeals reached the county court house,
where the court was in session, the question
that arose was, who should break it to the i'll
fated prisoner, who had been all the morning
walking to and fro in his cell, anxiously await
ing the tidings, though still strangely confident
of favorable result. The sad duty appro-
priately fell upon Mr.. George w. Thomas, one
Sheriff Eggleston went to the Jail at 2 O'Clock,
and, opening the cells, the prisoners came down
as usual to their dinner. Phillips had taken
his rations up stairs and was coming down for
another purpose, when he was told that Mr..
Thomas wished to see him at the gate. They
shook hands through the iron bars, and it was
hardly necessary for the lawyer to speak, as his
countenance told the story. Phillips gazed at
him stoidly, and without q word turned to
wards the prson-door, then stopped and asked
Mr.. Eggleston if Mr.. Thomas might speak with
him in his cell. The permission was accorded
but before the sheriff and the lawyer had en-
tered the apartment the prisoner had thrown
himself upon chair and burying his face in
his hands. burst into tears. His whole frame
quiyered with emotion, sob followed sob In
quick succession, and for several minutes not a
word was spoken. Presently Mr. Thomas This
own voice husky approached, and placing his
hand upon the poor fellows shoulder, begged
him to be calm, cheer up, and in few words
assured him that his counsel had now done all
that they could except to obtain a brief delay
before the day Of execution. 1t only remained
for him to make his peace with Heaven, and
he must remember that there were many pray
ing for the salvation Of bis soul. 10 all this
and much more Phillips listened, but Sid moth
ing in reply. There was nothing now to say
Death-certain death-stared the prisoner in
the face
This interview lasted but short time His
friends withdrew, and for more than an hour
he was left alone. At about o'clock the Rev.
DR.. j. b. Taylor, Baptist minister, who had
in days past known the youthful culprit and
his father before him, applied to be admitted
to the cell. Sheriff Eggeston,. opening the
floor, and crying still as if bis heart would
break. In reply to the question whether he
was in state Of mind to receive spiritual ad-
vice, be said Certainly" At first he did not
recognize the venerable divine who entered his
cell, but afterwards said be remembered him
well, and thanked him for coming to aim ia his
hour of trial. The Doctor then sat down by
his side. and, as to dying man, told him in
SIMPLE unaffected words the story of man sin,
and the plan Of salvation by faith in Jesus
Christ Frequently the trembling auditor
ly affected when the minister said he desired to
speak to him as to his own son, but must adj
dress him as a man guilty of many sins-of one
great crime When asked if he knew how
alone he could be saved, he responded, after a
moment hesitation, by repentance towards
God, and faith in Jesus Christ Then the
minister asked if be might pray with him, and
receiving nod of assent, the prisoner, his
jailor and he minister OF the gospel. and all
knelt, and an earnest prayer assembled to tiod,
the words hardly audible for the groans Of the
culprit. After few more words they separ-
eted, and Phillips resumed his walk, not hav-
ing tasted Of food or drink since early morning.
Thus has this psoyd spirit been broken. For
the third or fourth time 10 HIS long and weari-
some confinement has Jeter Phillips Loss his
self CONTROL and showed others that he could
weep. Once, yhen told that it was currently
rumored that certan yoppg lady with whom
he was supposed to have had matriGsoalal en-
gagement before his arrest had said that she
would marry him though all the world for
sock him; yes, even though the ceremony
should have to be performed under the gal
lows did she say that!' he exclaimed, and
threw himself on his bed, with gush of tears.
Again when his father last visited him-about
month ago--he was AFFECTED to tears as the
old man spoke to him kindly through the pyis
on bars. But not until now has he seemed to
realize that death was nearer to him than to
otLer mortals. But now it has flashed across
his mind, and simultaneously it would seem
that an arrow of conviction had PIERCED his
stubborn heart. May God forgive him