The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-05-03
BLOOMSBURY, PA, FRIDAY MAY g. 1872
COL. DEM. -.- VOL XXXVI.. mo. IL

was not found on him, he was sentenc
ed to be hanged, and had been removed
TO the old stone jail at Redcliff for secur'
ity, the county Jail being deemed un-
safe. This was the day the execution
was to take place; the scaffold was al
ready erected the crowd pressed round
the building, and frequent cries OF
"Bring out the murderer !" were heard.
The sun at last told the hour of eleven,
and there could be no more delay; the
convict's cell was entered by the officers
in atten dance, who aroused him with
the information that all was ready for
him without, and bade him hasten to
his execution they laid hands upon
him, and pinioned him tight, while he
looked up toward heaven in wild aston
ishment as one new born, and only
said "The dream-the dream !"
"What dream, Mr.. Jason ?" said the
sheriff. "You would do me a great
kindness, if yo IL would dream yourself
and me out of this disagreeable busi-
ness"
81 dreamed" replied the convict,
"that while you read the death war.
rant to me on the scaffold, man came
through the crowd, and stood before us
in gray dress, with a white hat and
large whiskers, and that bird hutter-
ed over him, and sang distinctly "This
is Lewis, the murderer Of the traveller"
The officers and jailer held short
consultation, which ended in deter.
mination to look sharply after the man
in grey with white hat; accompanied
with many hints of the resignation of
the prisoner, and the possibility of his
innocence being asserted by superna.
tural agency. The prison doors were
cleared ; and Creel, pale and feeble,
with hymn-book in his hand, and
mien all meekness and humility, was
seen tottering from the prison to the
scaffold. He had no sooner assembled it,
than his eyes began to wander over the
vast concourse of people around him,
with a scrutiny that seemed like faith
in dreams; and while the sheriff read
the warrant, the convict's anxiety ap-
peared TO increase he looked, and
look again; then raised his hands and
eyes a moment to the clear sky, as if
breathing last ejaculation, when 10!
as he resumed his first position, the
very person he described stood within
six feet Of the ladder!
The prisoners eye caught the sight,
and flashed with fire while he called
out "There is Lewis the murderer of
the traveller !" and the jailer at the same
moment seized the stranger by the col
lar. At first he attempted to escape;
but being secured, and taken before
the magistrates, he confessed the deed,
detailed all the particulars, delivered
up part of the money, informed where
another part was hidden, and was fully
committed for trial-while Creel was
set at liberty, and fastened, like man
out of his senses, from the scaffold.
Three days had elapsed; Creel had
vanished Immediately after his liberia
ton, when the pretended Lewis aston
ished and confounded the magistrates
by declaring Creel to be her husband;
that she had concealed the disguise, ,and
performed the whole part by his direc-
ton; that he had given her the money;
which he had successfully concealed;
and that the whole from the prison to
the scafIold scene, was contrivance to
effect his escape, which having effected
she was regardless Of consequences.
Nothing could be done with her-she
was set at liberty, and neither she nor
her husband was heard of again.