The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-03-25
THOMAS D. CARR.
His Execution Yesterday
Full Particulars of the Scene.
His Demeanor on the ScafOld

| IuOIudS " NdiIy "O ~ VIVA w oe'
Clairsville- at an early hour yesterday
morning. When we entered the Jail
Carr was in conversation with his
younger brother Joseph, &who was
standing in the hall, just outside the
cell door. Regarding this interview as
no matter for the public, We did not in
trude.
At about Line o'clock Mr.. John Par
kins, local Methodist preacher, enter
ed the cell, and half an hour was spent
in devotional exercises, Carr singing
and praying. Afterwards Rev. Hugh
Parks, of the NJ. P. Church. Joined
them, and the three spent half hour
mere in devotional exercises.
In order to- comply with "the dying
request of dying man." as Carr termed
it, Sheriff Hayes admitted two Misses
(aged respectively thirteen and fifteen
years. to the hall of the Jail, for FIVE
minutes. These girls, strange as it may
seem, completely idolized the prisoner,
and for the past month have visited
him almost every day. Had they been
sisters they could not have been more
affectionate and loving.
Carr presented each of them with his
photograph and silver ring, aud divi.
ded between them the greater portion
of his books, papers, &c. AS he gave
them the articles be said, keep these
in remembrance of me; | will be in
Heaven in less than an hour and half,
and want both Of you to give me your
promise that you will pray every hour
of every day of your lives that you
may meet me there" The girls replied,
"We will, Tom" They then joined
Carr in singing several hymns, and
tearfully babe him farewell.
DR.. r. Alexander, of the Presby terian
Church, entered the cell, and for short
time the prisoner and ministers were
engaged in praying and singing. In all
these exercises Carr participated freely,
conversing about the joys of Heaven
soon to be his, praying earnestly, and
his voice leading in singing.
A few minutes after twelve o'clock
the Sheriff and assistants entered the
cell to prepare Carr for the scaffold.
His aims were securely fastened and
the shroud placed upon him. The rope
was put around his neck, when he said,
ooh, that is too tight" 1t was adjusted
more comfortably, and just as the
prisoner was about TO be taken from
the cell messenger said to Sheriff
Hayes, "The. Sheriff of Guernsey
county is at the door, and
wishes to be admitted. Sheriff Hayes
said Carr, have you any objectionsr
Carr s1id "No, let him in; he ussd to be
my Orderly Sergeant in the array; let
him in to see me off, by all means"
Tho gentleman from Guernsey county
was admitted, and came into the csll,
when Carr said, well, Cap, this is not
much like the army; did you ever thiuk
of thisW
At halfpast twelve o'clock Carr was
taken from the cell and brought out to
the scatfold, which had been fitted up
in tho hall in the second story of the
jail. The cross. beam was about seven
feet from the floor, and about five feet
from the head of the stairway, the trap
door opening into the lower ball of the
prison.
As soon as Carr stood upon the trap
door the hymn, "Show pity, Lord" was
was sung, the l03d Psalm read by DR..
Alexander and Carr then sung the hymn,
MY latest sun is sinking fast,
| Ny race is nearly run"
Prayer was then offered by Rev. Mr..
Parkins. At times Carr followed Mr..
P, audibly repeating petitions offered.
At the close of the prayer Carr exclaim.
ed, "God have mercy! God have mercy!'
The hymn, GA charge TO keep have"
was then sung, Carr leading.
Carr then offered the following prayer:
"God, in tender mercy, blot out all my
transgrGssiens; may be brought to the
Throne of Grace through the blood Of
Christ. May those present, who see
what sin has done for me, take heed
and profit before it is too late. After a
long and weary Imprisonment, | am
about to be launched into eternity, and
now, God, l ask Thee to receive me. l
acknowledge my great sinfulness before
God, and humbly ask for pardon. Look
upon me in mercy; help me TO say my
sins are all washed away through the
Lamb. Though guilty murderer, may
meet Thee freely cleansed and par
doned; lot Thy Holy Spirit bear me
witness, ask for the sake of Christ.
Amen-Amen."
At the close of this prayer, Carr,
(standiug on the scaffOld) in clear
voice, said:
FeIloc. Citizens Il have few words
to say before l am launched in the pres
ence of God. I have led Z bad, wicked
life, and when / look over it l am not
surprised to find myself standing here
on the gallows. When about eleven
years of age, despised the counsels of
my parents, and ran away from home.
Well do / remember the day. To-day l
stand on the gallows, to pay the penalty
of my bad deeds. LILY father was rash
man, and treated me rashly; he was
stern, and corrected me in
rough way. This made me worse,
although l was always self-willed and
obstinate-revengeful and wicked. Pa
rents, spare the rod; endear your