The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-07-07
M'GIFFIN's STATEMENT.

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was riding along, not knowing | would see
anv one, but on looking up saw a number
of men ahead Of me in the road. This was
when the road turned through the woods,
which were very thick. Here the men
were in waiting for me, all Of whom had
guns. When first saw them, knew they
were nv enemies, and had often threatened
nv life. | thought my time had come to
die. knowing the desperate character of one
of the men. who | heard had been shot
several times, and who had shot number
of persons. Ifell back, but they rushed
on me from all directions.
81 had nogun, but only pistol to protect
myself with. never fired a gun or struck
a blow. did not know they had war
rant for DR.. Lewis; il l had, would not
have continued with him. II seems my life
mnst @ he sacrificed because Ihave no friends
to assist me. still hope the Governor will
examine my case well and do the best he
can for me. If he thinks deserve hanging
for this crime, must be satisfied with my
fate. All of us are here but for short
time, and nothing grieves me more than to
leave my little one. lfgood men, whom !
know, would come out with true hearts,
they could not hang me.
81 have been punished more since have
been in prison than would atone for all the
offences | ever committed in this world. l
am afraid my time is short to make my
peace with God but if can't live am
but paying the debt we all owe. May God
bless all | leave behind. | believe If Lewis
had been tried | would not have been con-
victed, for he had witnesses to prove that
Drummond said he would give ten dollars
for the warrant, and also that he lay IN
wait in the woods for the purpose OF killing
him. The sheriff told me he was one of a
party of hundred men whose purpose was
to kill Lewis, and that if | had been with
him they would have served me the same
way.o f
a e DIR. LEWIS.
| We were next conducted to the cell OF
DR.. Lewis. who is charged with the same
offence as McGiffin. The Doctor is, with
out doubt, insane, and we are quite certain
will never live to meet his trial in October
next. The tailor informed us that he would
cat nothing for days, and when he did, il
frequently made him so i'll as to cause
nausea. The kind treatment of the Jallol
to this poor unfortunate man is worthy ol
particular mention. From this cell we
passed into the lower yard, and thence to
the cell occupied by the man
WILKINSON,
a United States prisoner, who tried and
almost succeeded in making his escape somt
DAYS since. He is now in double irons
and would have nothing to say. Aftel
leaving this man, we were conducted to th'
office Of the jailor, where the following in
formation was derived:
NUMBER or PRISONERS.
There are in confinement at this time, y
prisoners in all--21 women, of whom i
are colored, and white ; Ga men-49 col
ored, and Is white; of this number, p ar
in the chain-gang.
. CONDITION OF THE JAIL.
The general health of the prisoners ]
GOOD, and the cleanliness and order OF tn
Jail speaks well for the jailor, who is spoke
of by the prisoners as kind-hearted gen
} tleman. Among the other prisoners W
must mention
I JAMES II. SHAW,
g who is looking better than we ever sa'
4 him. Shaw's conduct while in coninemeI
Y has been excellent, and he informed us tn;
: he never would have been guilty OF actn
$ as he did toward Captain Callahan had /
# not been under the influence of whiskey.
THE OFFICERS.
: The present management of the jail
: excellent, all in authority acting kindly y
firmly towards the prisoners. We we
q surprised to see many Of them singing al
a laughing, as if they We're in the enjoyme
of freedom.
IL THANKS.
y The officers Of this prison will accept o
thanks for courtesies extended our report
3 this morning.