Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1869-06-05
Execution at Frederick, Md.

P. VI.
The .Arrest and Trial-Though the
murder took place on Saturday, the 3OIh
January, it was no, ceriainly known till
Sunday, the 7th of February, though
suspicion had been excited in the mind
of Trumsn's le(naned HOPewell) with
whom lie lived, by words which he drop
ped about the man he had been seen with.
On the 9Th of February, Truman left
Hopewells house, and there being snow
on The ground, HoPewell and two others
tracked him up the mountain, came TO
rock where they found black carpet-bsg
hidden, and by the barking Of two dogs
which they had with them, soon discov
cred about thirty yards of, the dead body
Of the unknown white man hidden in a
ihcket, with the head crushed, and most
of the clothing taken off. Truman was
then found and arrested, and the mans
clothes which he had recognized. The
trial began on the llth March and ended
on the night OF the 10Th, the prisoner all
the while showing sIoical Indifference.
On the 18th OF March Truman was SOL
emnly sentenced by the Judge, still show
ing indifference. Truman had formerly
been in the army, and had been married
only short time before The murder. The
stranger vas about five feet four inches
in height, thckIy set and muscular, black
hair and no beard. He wore black
slouch hat and reddish brown coat, pants
and vest and also had soldiers blue
! blouse.
TrumanS C0nfeS8ion.-Tho condemn.
ed man made detailed confession, which
was prepared by one Of his counsel and
printed. In this narration Truman claim
ed to have an accomplice, but refused TO
make his name known. On being inter
rogated on this latter point about half an
! hour before he was led TO the scalIOld he
said no one was with him but the devil.
Truman relates the manner OF the murder
in his confession as follows.
IL walked a lille behind hin, and
when we reached Balls Hill, and mel my
accomplice, unperceived by the stranger
| picked up stone, and without word
of warning struck him violent blow on
The back Of his head. lie staggered and
fell, dropping his carpet-bag. He imme-
dia,ely recovered and raised up, with the
stick be had cut al Motley Thomas's
grasped in his hand. He sprang to his
feet. then determined 10 silence and
dispatch him. seized the same stone
with which first struck him, and hit hin
in the temple. He fell senseless, he
blood flowing freely from both wounds.
The stone-and the only stone with
which struck him-was produced IN
court during my trial; il was the long,
rrick.shsped stone, with a piece broken
from the corner. The man fell upon his
back and while he was lying there uncon-
scous, took of his boots and his pants,
picked up hia hat and carpet-bag, and left
him, no, yet dead. found no money in
his pants or carpet-bag, ard no papers
identifying him. | did not then, and do
not now, know who he was, or where he
came from, except that he ead he had
been in the army. short time after
wards | went back 10 the mountain and
mauled rails for Mr. Kroner until nearly
dark. II then occurred 10 me that the
man was not dead when left him in the
morning, and that | had better 60 and see
what had become of him. quit work
and went to the spot where had left
I him; he was not there. | found him
short distance from where left; he was
still alive and had returned to conscious
ness, but was unable to move. lie had
I lost much blood. lie bad either crswled
or been moved by my accomplice since
morning. lie begged me to relieve him
of his sulferirgs lie had laid there help.
less from about Q O'Clock in the morning;
! knew it would not DO for him to recov-
er; | would be in danger. left him and
Immediately went home, got HopeweIl's
! gun, loaded it, and returned 10 where the
man was lying. lie was still lying upon
I his back; went close to him, took dellb-
crate aim at his head. and as he lay there
conscious but helpless before me, | fired I!
/ lie never bresihed again. the charge
! passed through his head and scattered his
brains. The gun was loaded with shot
! il was the shot, not the stones, that scat
tered his skull. His blood spirited on lie
pine trees and laurel when thot him. 1t
was just growing dark and no one saw
me 90 or return with the gum
The Execution, Efc.-At half past
twelve o'clock the condemned man de-
scended the steps OF tho Jail with Sheriff
n q. Neighbors. Rev. Samuel keP.
pier, his spiritual adviser, was IN front,
and meubers Of the Young Mems Chris
tsn Association in his rear. As they
proceeded to the galows an appropriate
hymn was sung, after which sn affecting
prayer was made by the Rev. Mr.. ke7-
pier. After the prayer the rope was sd-
jusied, and Mr.. Keppler stated that the
culprii seemed deeply pentent for the
great crime which he had committed; that
his confession, as now made, was true;
that he believed his sins had been forgiv-
en-, and that Truman wished TO add few
parting words.
The condemned man. without evincing
much emotion, then bsde his earthly
friends adieu, and expressed the hope that
they would finally meet him, With those
Of his other friends who had gone before,
in Heaven. His friends then took bim
by the hand and bste him farewell, and
retired from The scsfoId. The white cap
was drawn over his face by turnkev