The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-05-23

;nr he q, liusted the blankets and
Withdrew wit ana left him.
was a miserable stru, 'ute; .Is S al a;s !,
Moses Hollow, about b nan ,,nmrta; ,n,,r a., !,
tant west of the town in : m m019ts.' Mus.
gorge, and, consequently, pub. , nlsc
Hollow is familiarly known as til, ~ ar
Of public executions. 1t is forty VI.
since there was an execution in Monroe
county, and the present one drew q
large crowd together. On declivlty OF
the mountain merging m the gorge
stood the scaffold, the earth making the
hypothenuse OF right angled triangle
with the platform and main uprigh,s.
In the front Of the scaifold. at the drop,
there was fall of over seven feet, but
the criminal could easily walk on the
rear of the platform, which was scarce
" foot high from the earth, and thence
forward to the drop.
BUCK LAST NIGHT.
Last evening the jsilor sent Buck a
sumptuous supper, as he said hls apPe-
tite was good and he expressed desire
TO cat some delicacics for the last time
on earth. Soon afterward an attendant
carrying a tray laden with eatables en-
tered the cell. Buck eat with all the
relish and appetite OF a man who had
an indefinite lease of life.
HIS SUPER
consisted Of seven hot rolls, two small
fish, some ham, one piece of peach pie,
one piece of custard pie, some pound
cake and nearly a quart Of coffee.
When Buck had finished his meal, the
only vestige that remained OF all this
was fragment Of a roll.
AMONG THE PEOPLE
here the execution had no interest
whatever, as both the murdered man
and the murderer came from consid-
erable distance in a neighhoring State,
and both were utter strangers. Not
withstanding this, however, there was an
immense crowd present. By nine A. NJ.
people came crowding into town, from
every direction, mostly on horseback,
but q great many on foot. All the
fences and available trees in town were
lined and many horses and vehicles OF
every description filled the streets. An
impression prevailed to limited extent,
that the negroes at Big Bend tunnel
would make an attempt TO rescue Buck,
but the more sensible people never gave
it the slightest credence. In order to
be ready for any emergency that might
arise, Sheriff Mclean had summoned a
large guard, composed mostly Of ex.
Confederate soldiers, who were armed
with rifles, shot guns and old army
muskcts. When these were mustered
in the main thorougfares Of the town at
eleven A. NJ,
THE PRELIMINARIES FOR THE TRAGIC
EVENT
were well nigh completed, and the
Sheriff, accompanied by two deputies,
proceeded to the cell of the condemned
man to pinion him. His shackles were
stricken off and his arms were tied be-
hind him. Then there was q parade in
front of the Jail, in which Lieutenant
Patrick Caranaugh, late OF the Stone.
wall brigade, put his novel command
through sundry military evolutlOns in a
most creditable manner. In few mo
ments the condemned man made his
exit from the jail, supported by the
Sheriff and a deputy. The throng
around the Jail yard was immense.
Buck was conducted to a wagon, into
which he was hel ped. and took
SEAT on HIS COFFIN.
The piazzas of all the surrounding
houses were filled with female specta-
tors, and from one, occupied exclusively
hy colored women, there came a sound
of weeping and wailing which affected
the most hardened hearts present AT
the command OF the Sheriff, the wagon
with its death freight moved forward,
surrounded and followed by the guard
and surging crowd OF about one thou
sand persons, male and female. This
procession moved solemnly forward on
It's way to the gallows, over a rugged
road, and persons, irrespective OF sex,
were elbowed about in manner that
indicated il was every man Tor himself
Conspicuous above all was the con-
iemned man in the wagon. He smiled
and appeared cheerful until.
THE MACHINE OF DEATH
came in sight. Then he appeared
solemn and thoughtful, and he viewed
il with intense interest Arrived there,
he ascended the scafold firmly and took
a seat on a chair, the only one TO be
seen. The condemned man was then
asked by the Sheriff if he had anything
10 say, az then was fitting opportunity,
over 1000 persons being present. He
became visibly affected, and in few
minutes cried pitifully This so affected
the women on the adjacent knobs that
q general crying scene followed.
BUCKS ADDRESS.
Buck then stood up and made brief
address to the multitude. he said he
deserved his fate, that his sentence was
Just. In a moment OF badness he killed
Mr.. Booker Hunter and he took from
his person the sum of $jl.40. He was
there upon the scafold in the very
presence OF death, but they might hang
him from morning until night, twelve
hours, and yet he would not die. he
might be strung up by rope and they
might pull his very head of, but his
body would still be alive.
At the conclusion OF this remarkable
speech colored preacher assisted by a
number of men, sang a hymn, after
which Sheriff McMann told the Grim.
nal 10 stand up. and he adjusted the fatal
moose. The condemned man trembled
and shook violently. In the crowd the
excitement at this juncture was intense.
The black cap was then pulled over the
af pucL Jnbpanp foyayar ahut-