Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-01-18

for an outrage committed upon the per-
son of Mrs Dayton, respectable lady,
seventy-iour years of age. Craig was
hanged at 12.45 =. NJ, in the jail yard.
He made no confession, saying that he
had none to make. His last words in
his cell were: II can look upon yonder
coffin and rope without fear, for God
sustains me- Three colored ministers
were with him on the scailold. About
sixty spectators were present.
THE CRIME.
On the night of the 25th of August
last, (Sunday) Mrs. Lottie Dayton, the
aged lady referred to, was alone in 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, between the hours Of 10 and
II, as she was preparing to retire, her
little dog outside began to bark tiercely
This was unusual; she listened, thought
sb, heard other noises, as if some one
was walking about. She therefore went
to the door, opened it and hssed the
doc on. He soon became quiet, how
ever, and she Judged the cause OF his
alarm was some stray animal. She then
retired, and in few moments was IN a
doze; was aroused by the touch OF some
thing; discovered it to be mans hand.
She then partly raised, and saw Craig
by her bedside Readily surmising his
intent, she endeavored to get up, when
he pushed her back. She called him by
name, and begged him to deslst, when
he seized her by the throat violently,
choking her until she was nearly insen-
sible, and succeeded in fully accomplish
ING his purpose. Somewhat recovering
from the effects of the assault, she
screamed as best she could, and this,
Mrs. Dayton believes, saved her life.
Her little dog heard her, came to the
door and scratched. The cowardly per
petrator of the outrage Nas alarmed and
fled at once
At first Gas Mrs Dayton stated IN her
testimony she hardly knew what to CO.
she was so agitated, weak and much Iii :
iured; but upon second thought, fearing
he might return, she determined to try
10 reach the house of a Mr.. Scott, (the
nearest neighbor,) which was over two
hundred yards distant. She managed
to get up, put on some clothing, and,
with prayer to God to give her sufficient
strength, she started for Mr.. Scott S
premises, which she finally reached.
Once there, this good old woman, who
had been so cruelty treated, happened
to think that Mr. Scott had been very
i'll for several days, and not wishing to
disturb or alarm the family, or put them
to any trouble on her account, and feel
ING herself safe from further harm, she
did not knock at their door, but took a
seal on the porch and remained there
till morning. In the morning Mr.. SCOTS
family found her there aud reproved her
for not awaking them and asking admit
tance. She did not then tell them all
of the reason that led her to seek pro
lection under their roof it seemed (she
testified) as if she ought to tell some OF
her own family filst. She accordingly
left Mr.. Scots house and started for the
residence of her son, Roland 5. Dayton,
not more than one fourth of mile. On
her way there she met her grandson,
John +. Dayton, (son OF Roland 81
with whom Craig was living, and first
told him of the outrage. From some
cause he was, it seems, not impressed as
would be expected with her narration,
and while in New Creek. perhaps two
hours, where he went on business, he
did not mention TO any one what he had
been told by his grandmother. She was
much excited and distressed when she
talked to him, and it is probable that he
feared her mind was not right. After
leaving John F., Mrs. Dayton proceed
ed 10 the house of her son, related the
circumstances Of the outrage TO certain
members of the family, (Mr. ID. himself
being ABSENT aud afterwards told seve
raj of her neighbors OF it. BY evening
the fact of the outrage was known to .
number of persons in New Creek.
The following Is from the baiumore
Gazette -
In company with other representatives
of the press, your reporter visited the
condemned man in the Jail last night.
We found him confined in the upper
corridor of the Jail, on level with the
first floor of the Sheriff house When
we entered Craig was engaged in pray
er with two ministers of his own color,
Revs.s w. H. Waters and Ephraim
Lawson. 1t having been requested by
Craig that the Communion OF tie Lords
Supper might be administered TO him
on this fs't :, E4ar
HIS LAST NIGHT ON EARTH, l
The Revs- S. V. Leech, Henry Nice,and
<hn ool1r.I -