Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-07-29
Execution OF Jeter Phillips.
His Confession &c.

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farm Of Mr.. Drinkard, with bullet hole in
the right side Of her head, finger marks on
her throat, her shoulder broken and disloca-
ted and other injuries on her person. The
officers were vigilant in their efforts, but
with slight hope of discovering the perpetra-
tor of this horrible murder The body was
taken to Richmond fog Identification and
singular TO say was positively identified as
the body of a Miss Edwards and then Miss
Slaughter, who were missing, but both of
whom afterwards suuaed up alive. The Off
GERS abated mob . particle in their efforts,
and, several Of them suspicioning Phillips,
| from his csssdset, faonl the first, took steps
to aseertssa if them suspicious were correct,
and fonaa that he had a wife, (Which fact
he had Kept concealed. and had last been
seen with hen near Richmond, and that she
was missing. and he was accordingly arrest.
ed The sister identified the body from the
clothing, marks upon her person, her teeth
&c. &C. A preliminary examination was
held and Phillips was sent on to answer an
indictment for the murder of his wife,
On his first trial before the Circuit Court
of Henrico county, the jury disagreed-ten
being for conviction aud two for acquittal.
On his second trial he was found guilty by
jury from Albenaarle and Alexandria, and
on the 10th Of July, 1868, (but three days
from the third anniversary of his ill starred
marriagel te was sentenced to be hanged
by Judge Christian. Then followed an un-
paralieled series of appeals, postponements
and respites. This case, which had begun
before justice Of Henrico county was car
ricd up, step by step, through all the State
and Federal courts, until it was finally de-
termincd against Phillips by the Chief JUS
tice (Chase) of the Supreme court Of the
United States. From the date of his origi-
nal sentence he had no less than twelve re-
spites, the last one terminating on Friday,
July %, 1S70--Gov Walker refusing to
commute mis- sentence or to grant him an
other respite. -s..
On that day, Friday last, he expiated the
dreadful crime Of wife-murder, on the gal
lows Before his execution ne made the
following confession:
RICHMOND, July %, 1870
I. James Jeter Phillips, condemned to be
hanged on the charge Of numbering my wife
and expecting soon to appear in the presence
Of my Creator and Judge, do make tie fol-
lowing confession and statement:
I acknowledge that I am guilty of the
crime for which am condemned, and de-
serve the punishment which the law de-
nounces against me. need not detail the
circumstances of my crime. They arc main
ly as they were presented in the testimony
on my trial. lived unhappily with my
wife. I scarcely know when ! formed the
purpose Of getting rid of her; while on nay
last visit to her mother, revolved the sub
ject in my mind.
After l brought her to Richmond my
purpose was settled. I borrowed pistol,
and on Sunday evening took her from the
boarding house, and we walked to the place
where her bod, was found and murdered
her I confess thc greatness of my guilt.
and I do not understand how I should have
been led to commit such dreadful decd
I have confessed it, with sorrow before God
and hope that he has forgiven me, through
thu merits of Jesus Christ. Acknowledg-
ing my sin before the world. hope that all
will forgive me now. l die in peace with
all men, but with deep sense of my guilt
and unworthiness.
| I wish to say distinctly before God and
all persons present that am alone in my
guilt; no one suggested my crime to me,
knew my purpose, or gave me tho slightest
couhtenance in my deed. either before or af-
ter the act. All the rumors that was en-
gagged to be married, or was in love, are en-
tirely false had no motive far the COM
/ mission OF my crime. but to escape from a
| connection which seemeq to de'troy my
prospects for happiness IN life.
l bid you all farewell, hoping that We
may meet again where sin and sorrow are
unknown Let others be warned by my
example and fate
And now I yield my boly to the dust, in
hope ola joyful resurrection, and | commend
my soul to God yito gave it, and to the
| Lord Jesus Christ. who tliipk redeemed i
by his precious blood. and fitted it through
grace for his eternal kingdom.
[sigpcd
JA1;Es .IErkH PulLLrps
AS to the judge and Commonwealth at
1 torney have no unkind feelings, nor have
towards any other hunau being as to the
| officers, Of the law they have been very
kind to me, especially the jailor and guards;
as for the Governor he acted right just
ly deserve all [ have suffered
Signed
JAMES JErER Pa1LI1ps.
Up to the his last moments lie bore him
self and met his fate as bravcly as one
would think only an innocent man could
Not the slightest trepidation was exhibited
in his manner. only giving vent to a natural
emotion in bidding farewell to his spiritual
advisers, his counsel and friends, when he
afectionately embraced them and burst into
tears
liz iHet oesef"er i''c, WHICH etlouIu
warn the il-disposed, that though their
crimes may slumber for a time, yet are
most certain to come to light, and gives
| additional truth to the scriptural assertion
that "tbe way of the transgressor is hard ,
The work on ths west end Of the Chesapeake
and Ohio Railroad is being pushed forward
as rapidly as possible, with the confident
expectation of its being completed and in