Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-01-11
THE DEATH PENALTY.
Execution Of VIVA. Craig 1t Cumber
land. MARYLAND.

In Cumberland, Nd, yesterday, VIM. Craig,
colorcd, suffered the extreme penalty of the law
for an outrage committed upon the person Of
years OF age. Craig was hanged at 12:45 p. m,
in the jail yard. He made no confession, saying
that he had none TO make.
On the night Of the 25th of August last, (Sun-
day,) Mrs. Lotto Dayton, the aged lady referred
TO, was alone IL, her house, near the village Of
New creek, Mineral county West Virginia. She
had lived there alone for over six years, since
the death Of her husband. On this night, be-
tween the hours OF 10 and H. as she was prepar-
ing to retire, her little dog outside began to
bark fercely. This was unusual; she listened,
thought she heard other noises, as Ii some one
was walking about. She therefore went to the
deor, opened 1t, and Missed the dog on. He soon
became quiet, however, and she judged the
cause OF his alarm was some stray animal. She
then retired, and In few nome nts was in a doze;
was aroused by the touch of something; discov-
cred 1t to be mans hand. She then partly
raised, and saw Craig by her bedside. Readily
surmisng his intent she endeavOred to get up,
when he pushed her back. She called him by
her by the throat violently, choking her until
she was nearly insensible, and succeeded in
fully accomplishing his purpose. Somewhat
screamed as best che could; and this. MIS-. bavo
ton believes, saved her life. Her little dog heard
her, came to the door and scratched. The cow
ardly perpetrator Of the outrage was alarmed,
and fed at once.
HIS LAST HOURS
Craig said yesterday morning that he slept
soundly during the night and was engaged at an
the workmen finishing the structure on which
he was to die, he felt as never before the sus-
tanning presence and help Of God. Revs. Jo-
participated in the fnal religious exercises In
the cell, which were very solemn. Earnest pray
ers were offered, to which Craig responded hear
dly. He was at one time 30 overcome by joyous
emotion that he walked round the cell and took
each Of the clergymen by the hand and assured
them that he reiOiced that the hour Of execution
was rapidly approaching. He then went to the
smilingly said, 81 will soon be at rest" A few
inmates afterwards Col. w. II. LOwdermlk
Col: n: j. johnson and L; Cleary, editors Of
Cum Sumo s; journals, visited the prisoner and
looked on the moose and his CONN, and eIclaim-
ed, II can look on the rope aud my coffin be-
cause God sustains me-"
ON THE scAFFoLp.
At 1870 O'Clock, the officers appointed to con-
duct the painful ceremonies connected with
Craig's execution, removed him, attended by
the clergymen, to the jail yard, followed by a
number of admitted spectators. Attended by
three colored ministers, he assembled the fold
with firm step and was seated.
The prisoner was then piRiOned by the sheriff,
after which Rev. E. Lawson read the following
paper, prepared by Rev. w. Waters at the die
tatiOn Of the agitated man on whose form all
eyes were fastened:
"Before leave this world want to thank the
sheriff, Mr. Gross, his family, and the officers OF
the Jail for their uniform Kindness to me. Also
to the ministers Of the gospel under whose in
structiOns have been led to Christ. 1 thank
Reys. Holiday, Leech, Nice, Col. Hi. johnson
and others for their efforts TO have my sentence
changed from death to imprisonment. I enter
tain no unkind feeling toward any person. die
at peace with God and all MANKIND"
Craig then repeated aloud, from memory. the
sd psalm. After bidding his friends meet him
In heaven, the sheriff cut the rope, the trap fell
and the prisoners neck was Immediately brOk-
en-. In fifteen minutes the body was cut down
and life found to be extinct.