Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1868-11-13
SENTENCE OF JIHES JE-
TER PHILLTPS.
THE LAST DIE Is CAST!
Unanimous Decision OF the Court
Of Appedis
The Prisoner Appeals tc Executive
Ulemenoy,


Yet 81 lays aud Jane. Ieter Philips
shall cease e. lfFo1, society by ais living
presence. Prot Webster, bv his murder OF
DT P,gkmau, stirred up To vengeance th-
popular conscience, and behold 4 greater
offender than Webster is here. The black
annals Of crime contain no more revolving
page than the Drinkers Farm Murder
Every obstacle which tai mt and money
could throw in the way Of justice nas failed
b. keep the moose from the neck of this
cold-blood 4 viola, or OF the hnIiest duti ;
n life. The Court Of Appeals has decided
that he is not entitled 70 another chance for
bis life. In view Of bis pertinacions and
impudent belief that be could defy the
awful sentence passed upon him by the
people and Judge, be has been allowed
Al days respite from the Sth inst, the day
which had been fixed for his execution. 1t
is to be fervendy hoped by every one who
values the sanctity Of the dearest relations
in the social system that Oh or about the
| 5th day Of January next this man shall be
executed. We copy from the Richmond
Dispatch graphic account Of the scenes
which ensued upon the closing to him Of the
delusive door of Hope:
! When the news Of the action of the Court
| of Appeals reached the county courthouse,
where the court was in session, the question
that arose was, who should break it to the
| Inflated prisoner, who had been all the
morning walking to and fro in his cell
! anxiously awaiting the tidings, though still
strangely confident Of a favorable result
| The sad duty appropriately fell upon M
| George W. Thomas, one Of the prisoner
| faithful counsel. Deputy Sheriff Eggestor
went to the Jail at 2 o'clock, and opening
the cells, the prisoners came down as usua
to their dinner. Phillips had taken his ra
tions up stairs and was coming down for an
other purpose, when he was told that Mr.
Thomas wished to see him at the gate. They
shook hands through the iron bars, and
| il was hardly necessary for the lawyer L
speak, as his couutenance told the story
pA;M.2s =.zed :: 533sis ssS.is;ii,y, s6d 7TivE5ai
a word turned towards the prison door, iheI
stopped and asked Mr.. Eggleston ii Mr.
Thomas might speak with him 10 his cell
The permission was accorded but before
the sheriff and the lawyer had entered toe
apartment the prisoner had thrown himself
upon a chair burying his face in his hands
burst into tears His whole frame quivereC
with emotion, sob followed sob in quick sue
cession, and for several minutes, not a word
was spoken Presently Mr.. Thomas (hi'
own voice husky approached, aud placing
his hand upon the poor fellows shoulder
hegged him 70 be calm, cheer mp, and in {
few words assured him that his counsel haC
| III bavr could In nh
tain brief delay before the day Of eXecu
ton. 1t only remained for him to maxi
his peace with Heaven, aud he must re
member that there we're many praying 10
the salvation Of his soul. To all this and
much more Phillips listened, but said pnth
iugin reply. There was nothing now 10 say
Death-certain death-stared him in tn
face.
This interview lasted but a short time. -
His friends withdrew, and for more than al
hour he was left alone. Al about O'clncl
the Rev. J. B. Taylor, Baptist minister
Who had IN days past known the youthtu
culprit, aud his father before him, apptr'
to be admitted 10 the cell. Sheriff ELgles
ton, opening the door. foond the prispne
still pacing the stony Q or, and crying ~til
as Il his heart would break. Ia reply &
the question whether be was in = state q
mind to receive spiritual advice, he SAT-
.'Certainy." At first be did not recognz
the venerable divine who entered his cell
but Afterwards said he remembered hin
we'll, and thanked him tor coming to hin
in his hour of trial. The Docrpr tneu "a
, l.vn by his side, aud, A. o. dying mau
,oI1 hIm in simple, uQaf cted words, I'M
story IT mans sin, and the plan of ,aiVat'"l
hv nita no Jesus Christ. Frrqu ntly n
trembling aud tor broke Ou va fresh 'h-
and seemed particularly AZ cited when th
minister said be desired to spoak On him a
"a ais own son, but must address him as
aian guilty Of many sins -otone great crime
When asked II he knew how alone he eou'
b. saved, he responded, after moment
hesitation, by repentance towards God
and faith 10 Jesus Christ" Then the mlu
istrr asked IL ne might pray With hlm, an
receiving a nod ot assent, the prisoner u
ailor, aud the minister OF the gospel, a.
knelt, and in an earnest prayer ssceudod
! God, the words hardly audible for n
= grnaps of the culprit. After few NOR
e words thew separated, aud Pnilips resum
r ed his walk, not having tasted of food ,
drink since early morning.
Thus has this proud spirit been brokei
For the third OF fourth time in his long an
wearisome couGne ment has Jrter PhhlI
lost his s-lf-coutrol, and showed others ID.
he co,,ld weep. Once, when told that itw.
currently rumored that certain young 4
dy with whom he WAS supposed 10 have ma
A matrimonial engagements before BIS arres
had said that she woult marry hi.n "thoug
All the world tors00k him yes s>even thong
10 the ceremony should have g Oe periorms
under the gallows," "Dd sa' say that = 2
rxclaimed. aud threw h.mselt ou his hel
With a gush Of tears. Aga'n, when MS fat
arl.st vi.{ted him -4b0ut a month ago.
: -, Affected To teGrs as the old man spoh
Il, rim kindly though the prison bars. ~
d, mt mill nov aAs be seemed 90 realize th
death vas nearer 20 him than other m1rJal