The New York herald., 1872-10-31
A DEFERRED EXECUTION.
Martin Baynnrd's Escape ON the Morn
ing When Hc Was To Have Been
Hung-A Devoted Wifc and Surprised
Jailcr.

EbbCuPC Oh sShC NAOEhs
ing When He Was To Have Been
Hung-A Devoted Wife and Surprised
Jailcr.
HENDERsONvILLE, N. o., Oct. 25, 1872
Over five thousand people were assembled here
to-day for the purpose OF witnessing the execution
OF Martin Baynard, one OF the murderers OF Silas
Weston and his three children, but they were
doomed to be wofully disappointed. II will be
remembered that two criminals have already been
executed for this crime, the details OF which were
fully reported in the HERALD, both at the time ol
its occurrence and at the time Of the execution OF
George Baynard and GOven Adair. Martin Baynard
was also to have suffered the
EXTREME PENALTY OF THE LAW
when the other two were hanged but he was re-
spited from time to time, to be used as witness
against the elder Baynard and another, who were
also implicated in this horrible MURDER under a
statute OF this state which provides that con-
demned lelOn can testify as witness against
other parties to the same crime. All the prepare
tions were made, the scaifold was In readiness and
the crowd mad been arriving from all quarters ior
TO WITNESS THE TRAGEDY.
During his imprisonment the wife OF the con-
dcmned man was faithful constant and devoted in
her attendance upon him. day did not pass that
she was not in his cell Tor several hours, and at
the last moment, with a her0ism worthy vi a more
noble cause, she saved him from On
IGNOMlNIOuS DEATH
upon the scafiOld. The night that was to have
been the last OF Baynard's earthly existence had
arrived, and upon the earnest, fearful and sorrow
fui entreaty OF his wife the jailer compassionatey
allowed her to pass the few remaining hours OF his
life with him in the cell. Morning broke clear and
bright, and already the assembled multitude were
astr, eagerly awaiting the arrival OF the hour when
the cxecutiOner and the scaffold would do their
terrible WORK. About six O'Clock A. NJ. the woman
came to the Jail door to be let out with her bonnet
drawn down over her face and handkerchief
pressed over her mouth, through which
HER HEARI-BI,0EEN S0bS
burst as the alcr passed ner 1nrGu5h dEe outer
with a feeble gait, bowed figure. and wailing pitt
fully giving vent to her great grief, and she was
Siy iu me
at eight O'Clock, and the confident and compass
sion ate jailer, with meal-thc last the doomed
man was to have eaten-comprised entirely OF
tempting decacies, repaired to the cell. The bars
were removed and the heavy iron door was swung
made him shake like an aspen leaf met his aston
ished gaze In the further end OF the cell, instead
OF the condemned man, crouched up in corner,
WOMAN IN HER NIGHT CLOTHES.
The plate and dishes with the breakfast fell from
the jailer's hand to the floor and were broken in
fragments. He tried to speak, but could find no
words for utterrance, and as he stood In actual
despair the crouching figure arose and, In the
o praisew0rthy action, said, "Well, as Martin Is
gone, reckon had better eat the breakfast" and
as o e s II
WIPES CLOTHES
and was doubtless by this time far beyond the
reach OF the county officers. The Sheriff, as soon
apprised Of the circumstances, set out In pursuit
OF the criminal with posse, but IN vain Tor alter
securing the country for miles, they returned Win
out their prisoner. The assembled crowd gave ex-
preston TO their chaqrin various ways none the
least of which was anxious desire on their part
to see the woman hanged In the place OF her nus
band and, indeed, many OF them were firm In the
i'm preston that such would be the case. Having
come to see "a hangin' they were not particular
cent az long as their morbid curiosity was grati-
fed. 1t is believed now that Baynard will never
a Q recaptured