The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-08-03

The train averaged twenty miles an hour du
ring the whole distance between this city and
the point of destination, thus testing the
work and assuring the public that the open
ing Of the road this morning is not a hazard
Gus proceeding. This morning the trains for
St. Louis and Louisville will leave at their
usual time, as indicated on the schedule
Thus was this remarkable scheme consumma-
ted, as faithfully executed as it was clearly
designed. It is the neatest job Of its kind
On record With the advantages which will
certainly accrue, it is reasonable to predict a
new era in the patronage, wealth and pros
perty Of the narrow gauge Ohio and Mis-
sissippi railroad.
The ScaffOld
Thomas McGiffin, charged with killing
Constable Drummond, in Greenville county,
sometime since, tried and found guilty of MUIR
der in the first degree, was hung on Friday
last, at Hickford, Greenville, Co, Va. He
is represented as the boldest, most careless
man, apparently, that ever went to the gal
lows. A correspondent of the Richmond Dis
patch furnishes the following particulars:
McGifin was led upon 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. Nc
Giffi,, who seemed to be perfectly self-pos-
sassed and omposcd-indeed more so than
any one around him-commenced by saying
he was an innocent man; he was 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
not fiji my belly, but give me bread, and it
would. | die with malice towards 10 man
| freely forgive all who have injured me, and
hope 70 be forgiven by all have injured
Let my fate be warming to all, from the era
Ole up; let ME urge all to abstain from intox-
ication liquor. for it has brought me to this
ignominious death-not that drank, or that
l had drank one drop the day of the murder,
but that the most Of Drummonds posse were
in liquor and ignorant OF what they we're do
irg He then knelt and repeated prayer
after the priest, and received his blessing
after which he arose and shook hands with
tiiC tis dtjd ottCl lCiit'S CelSl VI
them to meet hin in Paradise. He still con-
tinucd to talk to the crowd, and requested
their prayers for himself aid his little boy.
TAnd, SAID he, when I speak of my little boy
shat moves me more than anything else. =
| Observing DR. Powell who resides in the
community in which Drummond lived, in the
crowd he requested him to present his regards
to all the people up there: Looking around
he said: II want to see somebody know
and seeing Mr.. r. B. Turnbull. OF Brunswick,
he said GLOW have you been getting along,
Mr.. Turnboll 2" The sheriff then proceeded
to adjust the rope, when McGiffin turned to a
guard standing by him and said: "My friend
don't tremble SO; you make me trembe' D
The black cap was placed over his face and
ut ten minutes after II o'clock the trap fell
when one Of the nest heart-rendering scenes
was presented your reporter ever witnessed
for the rope broke and the unfortunate man
fell half dead to the ground. While lying
there he said "&heriff don let it choke
me-" It was looscned and adjusted again
and as soon as possible he was carried upon
the platform, and stood alone without utter
ing groan or a murmur until the knot was
tied, when the trap again fell and Thomas
! G.. McGitfin was suspended between HEAVIER
and earth. After hanging fer twenty min
utes, Drs Starke and Jones pronounced him
dead, when he was cut down and buried
THE New BLUE LAW.-Ihe Connecticu
Senate has passed a bill which renders nul
and void all business dealing for liquors-cn
ables the purchaser even Of glass Of whisk,
to recover back the ten cents he pays for 1t
declares null and void all sales, transfers
contracts, quit claims, mortgages, attach
ments and liens made in consideration (par
or whole) Of the sale Of any spirltuous liquor
makes null and void all leases of premises
Liquor is sold on them; Furnishes by fine 0
500 or month in Jail Cor both) the sale @
liquor to any minor under eighteen years 9
age; makes the person who sells responsible
for all damages done by drunken men. an
permits any taxpayer to sue such seller when
crer the driukcr abuses his family. Othe
stringent provisions follow.
MANAGING SETTING HENs.-A writer i
the Pruir.e Eui'mcr never sets hen tn,es
another is soon to set, also, by which arrange
ment he can give the chickens first hatche
to hen No 2. AS they hatch he remove
them in box fixed for the purpose, and give
each hen frcm twenty to forty chicks an
finds they grow as we'll as broods of less nun
ber To break hen of her wish to set
confines her in coop three days. liens wi
not cat eggs if they have access to lime :
t lie is Of the opnlon that poultry does ut
pay when one builds expensive houses f
them or fancy chicken coops, and spends h
time and talent in the business. 1t will
! for women to raise poultry.
MONTPELIER FOR SALE-The Petersbu1
: (Va.J Index announces that the Montpel
estate the home whose elegance and ca
President Madison's abundant hospital
: made known to hosts of fricnds-is ADVERT
5 cd for sale. The property is about Loo
! acres in extent. the house and grounds a
: described as of great beauty, while the vic
} they command of the Blue Ridge and va
expansc of rolling country is unsurpassed,
equaled, by any other in the State for its c
$ tent. variety and beauty