The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-08-02
reported for the Richmond Dispateh.l
EXECUTION OF THoS. McGIFFIN.
H1cKFoRD, GREENsv1LLE CO., Va,
July 2lst, 1871.
THE LAST NIGHT.

H1cKFoRD, GREENsvILLE CO., Va,
July 2lst, 1871.
THE LAST NIGHT.
Mr o. II Bidwell, the sheriff of thi
county, left for Richmond yesterda,
morning, and returned with Thoma
McGifin on that evening. He va
heavily ironed and safely lodged in th'
county Jail. During the night he occu
pied his time in reading and talking t,
those around him. He seemed to b.
totally Indifferent as to his terrible fate
and spoke of his death in the mos
light aud trivial monner; said there va
a time for all men to die-they coult
not escape it; some would die one way
some another; that man could punish
the body, bus the soul was cared for b,
Higher Power; he had hoped for
respite, but the Governor had refused
and that he was now to die, but tha
death was by far the lightess punish
ment that could be inflicted apo,
him.
He is, without doubt, the boldest
most careless man apparently, that ever
went to the gallows. There seems to bs
kind of dare devil spirit about him
none of that subdued, contrite peni-
tence that should characterize the
truly brave. He said
81 die with no malice in my heart e
any one, but I think it hard that
should suffer death when I did moi
commit the act myself, and especially
before Lewis, the principal, is tried.
think if he were tried l could prove
my innocence"
About 9 o'clock this morning McGif
fn sent for John H. Wilson, Esq, At
torney for the Commonwealth. He
wished Mr. Wilson to make application
to the Governor for a respite; said be
did not think it vas too late, though he
did not have much hope. he was told
by Mr.. Wilson that his counsel had
done all that could be done for him,
and that it would be perfectly useless to
make any such attempt. He then re-
marked to Mr.. Wilson that this was the
second time ne had been tried, and from
all appearances it would be the last
before any earthly tribunal, but that he
believed a merciful God would pardon
his sins and save his soul unto )Ho
everlasting.
He has confessed the Catholic faith
since his conviction, and was accompa-
uied by Father Jeanses, of that Church.
He drew from his pocket cruci6x and
thirty cents in money, which he re-
quested Mr.. Wilson to forward, togeth-
er with some religious books, to his
baby boy, who is with his mother in
Nash County, North Carolina. Said it
seemed hard be could not see his child
before his execution, and that he could
not live to train him in the way he
should 60.
For several hours before his execution
Father Jeanses remained alone With
him in his cell. At twenty minutes to
twelve o'clock the sheriff and his depu.
ties, accompanied by the other officers
of the court. Doctors Geo. C. Starke
aud John r. Jones, the physicians
summoned, aud about twenty citizens
&C og as guard, left she Jail for the
place of execution, followed BY large
crowd, principally negroes.
McG!fin was led up on the gallows,
and the sheriff read the sentence of
death after which he asked him if he
had anything to say before he proceeded
to execute it. McGifin, who seemed to
be perfectly self-possessed aud COM
posed-inJeed more so than any one
around him-commenccd by saying be
was an innocent man ; he vas CONDEMNED
for the crime Of another, but that he
bore his punishment with resignation.
He did not aid DR.. Lewis in the murder
Of Constable Drummond BY speaking to
him, for you might say q thousand words
to me but that would not gil nv belly,
but give me bread, and it would. die
with malice towards no man; freely
forgive all who have injured me, and
hope to be forgiven by all have in
jured. Let my fate be a warning to
all, from the cradle up; let NE urge all
to abstain from intoxicating liquor, for
it has brought me to this iguominiOrs
death-not that drink, or that l had
drank one drop the day of the murder,
but that the most Of Drummond's posse
wele in liquor aud ignorant Of what
they were doing He then knelt and
repeated prayer after the priest, and
received Lis blessing; after which ho
arose aud shook hands with the sheriff
aud other officers, telling each Of them
to meet him in Paradise. lie still con.
tiuued to talk to the crowd, and re-
quested their prayers for himself and
his little boy. land, said he, when l
speak of my little boy that moves me
more than anything else.] Observing
DR.. Powell who resides In the COM
munity in which Drummond lived, in
the crowd. he requested him to present
his regards to all the people up there.
Looking around. he said 81 want to
see somebody know" and seeing Mr..
r. B. Turnbali, Of Brunswick, he said !:
"How have you been getting along,
! Mr.. Turnbull ?" The sheriff then pro-
ceeded to adjust the rape, when MsGifin
turned to a guard standip by him and
said: "My friend, don't%tremble so
you make me trcmble" The black cap
was placed over his face. and at ten
r y Z. IL Ill