The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-07-27
was surprised to hear from his sons own lips:
what he never before believed, that -.

HE WAS GUILTY OF NUMBERING HIS WIFE.
The scene was truly distressing; both were;
In tears, and the venerable man told his son-
that he had hoped that he would at least kaVe
the consolation Of going to his grave with tne
belief that shis son was innocent OF @ Crime 70
foul and unnaturaL He then 6ade pm lateI
well, forever; and. last night. Mr. W0odYardr
the minister, was with the prisoner durfngt the
fore part Of the evening, and the prisoner en-
gagged freely in conversation with him.. About
10 o'clock the minister shook hands, with th6
prisoner and left him. He then 4o1ngef About
the room till about or o'clock, when he
undressed himself and went to bed. After
lying few moments he became quite restless,
and cross, and sat upon the side of the bed
Here he sat awhile, and finally got up and
walked up and down the floor for q few mo-
ments, and, then vent to bed and slept soundiy
until o'clock this morning: = H-''i'-
PREPARING EoR BEATH.
At o'clock he awoke, rubbed his eyes and
stared vacantly about thereon, he arose In q
the waist, washed himself and c0mbed his
hair. He took considerable care In the ar
rangement of his curls. After this he took his
Bible, opened 1t, and read chapter. He
showed no signs Of nervousness during this
time, but read with great composure. At q
few minutes before o'clock the P.is6ner was
brought in the. yard by Deputy Sheriff Walsh,
ed him. They were followed by Drs. Jeter
and Dickinson His arms were pinioned IN
front of him. He wore linen coat and black
pants and black SLOUGH hat. He walked slow
" and cautiously up the steps, his eyes all the
while resting on the ground In front OF him
He wore a asad look, but not q muscle OF the
face moved. -, q. .
on THE scAFFoLD. :: s,i"
Mounting the scaffold he took seat. IN 3:
chair Immediately under the beam. Sheriff
Smith then from the scaf0ld, and with great
feeling, stated that he had been called upon TO-
perform solemn duty. one which was the
most painful he had ever had to perform, and,
turning to the prisoner, said: s'H you nave
The Rev. Mr.. Dickson then stepped forward
and read the prisoners Stfs1. .L'T'fR'
DYING CONFESSION. s:oe5Yiag4
IT acknowledge that am guilty OF the crime-
for which am condemned, and deserve. the
punishment which the law pronounces against
me- Circumstances Of my crime are mainly as
they were presented In the testimony on my
trial. l lived unhappily with my. wife. |
scarcely know when formed the purpose Oh
getting rid of her. While on my last visit to
her mother, revoyed the subject inmy mind.
After brought her to Richmond, my purpose
was settled. borrowed pistol, and on Sum
day evening took her from the boarding house
and we walked to the place where her body was
found, and murdered her. Iconfess the great
ness of my guilt, and do not understand how
should have been led to commit such dread 40
full deed. have confessed IL with sorrow be-
fore God, and hope that he has forgiven me
through the merits of Jesus Christ. ,rAcknowl.
edgng my sin before the world, I hope that all
will forgive me now. die In peace with. all
men, but with deep sense Of my guilt and un-
wOrthiness. wish 10 say distinctly, before
God and all persons present, that am alone
in my guilt. Not one suggested my crime to-
me, knew my purpose, or gave me the slight
est countenance In my deed, either before or
after the act. All the rumors that was en-
gagged to be married or was in love are entire
" false. had no motive for the commission
Of my crime, but to escape from q connection
which seemed to destroy my prospects for
happiness in life. I bid you all farewell,
hoping that we may meet again where sin and
sorrow are unknown. Let others be warned
body to the dust, in hope of joyful resarrec-
ton, and I commend my soul to God, who
gave it, and to the Lord Jesus Christ, who, !
think, redeemed 1t by His precious blood and
fitted 1t, through grace, for his eternafking-
dom. -. t:cieli -f,.t.s....
(signed) JAMES JETEh PHILLIPS"
PRAYER FOR THE CONDEMNED,
was then offered up to the Throne of Grace by
the Rev. DR.. Jeter, after which DR.. Jeter turn.
was taken By Phillips, who rested bis head
upon the doctors shoulder and ,wept. DR..
Dickinson next took him by the hand, when
he again wept upon the shoulder OF that. gem
tleman. The prisoner then cordially shook
Sheriff Smith and others on the scaf0ld by
the hand, thanked the officers for their kind
ness, and stated his readiness to die. AT l.20
o'clock the spiritual advisers of Phillips having
retired, Deputy Sheriff Walsh placed the black
cap over the prisoners head, .plnioned bis:
hands, and he stepped firmly forwt to the
centre of the drop. While in this position he
stated to Sheriff Smith that he had none but
the kindliest feelings towards him and bis Off
GERS, and requested him to say so to those
present, which the sheriff proceeded to do.
His legs were then pinioned, and, at given
signal from the sheriff, at precisely l.25 o'clock
James Jeter Philips was
LAUNCHED INTO ETERNITY.
The body fell with dull, heavy thud, and
for moment there was no notion save the
vibration caused by the, fall; then followed a.
series of violent struggles and convnlsions,
which grew less frequent and more feeble du,
ring the succeeding few minutes at the end
of which time no.efpnS of life were yislble