The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1873-03-29
THE SCAFFOLD.
THREE PERSONS SENTENCED TO
DEATH.

The editor Of the Americas .Reputli-
can, who was in attendance ON Webster
Supetior court at Preston, Ga, recently.
write. 10 lis paper as follows.
Al o'clock Thursday afternoon the
sheriff entered the courtroom with +. i.
Spann, Susan Eberhart, Lee Smith, and
William Sheppard, TO hear the sentence OF
the law about to be pronounced upon
them. The loom was crowded With spec
tators TO witness q scene which, perhaps
may never occur again, and the like vi
which has never before been witnessed
Ia this state-the sentence Of death on
three persons, and confinement in the pen
iientiary on one, at tbs same time 1t was
indeed Ia solemn sight TO behold, and one
that We never again expect 20 witness.
The prisoners all seemed TO be deeply A.
fecied, especially Spsnn and Miss Eber-
| hart. As the prisoners entered IA silence
Is ;till as death peryaded the entire room.
Shortly afterwards they were seated and
and became composed the Judge in very
| solemn manner, called the names of f. +.
| Spanu and susan Eberhart, and asked If
they had anything ~ say why the SEN
tence Of death should not be pronounced
upon them. Nothing was answered 10
~ low tone. His honor then preceded to
pass sentence upon them separately. Be-
fore doing SO, however, he addressed them
in the following words, Mr.. Spann stand
ing, while Miss EberAart remained seated
during its delivery
1t is not my purpose 70 reawaken the
memories Of the past, nor TO wound your
seusibilities by recalling the dreadful
events Of that night, whom the poor vic
tim OF your crime lost her life al your
hands. The events Of that night, SO dark
Win crime; tie retiring Of the wife 20 her
usual repose, trusting alone in her hGs-
band and her God the preparations for
the fatal deed; the wicked purpose; the
mode Of killing, and the death struggle of
tho poor helpless, unfortunate victim, are
already engraved on your mind, and
nsither time nor eternity can ever erase
them. Suffice it 10 say that faithful
wife lost her life AT the hands Of an un-
faithful husband and his wicked paramour.
That IS enough TO be told OF this horrible
tragedy Let a dark veil hide all else.
You have been tried and convicted
and the sentence Of death Las been poo
noGnced upon you. Upon that occasion
besought you 10 turn Your thoughts TO the
per.ls Of The character Of the doom that
awaited each Of you. Since then, the
J0dSHt.. o. kAe supreme court mas been
invoked in your behalf, and the judgment
Of this court hos been solemuly affirmed.
You stand to-day without hope.
The grave is before You. Within few
days-wAich will be twitcr to you than a
wcayers shuttle you will be called upon
TO pass thoughthe dsrl. valley and shadow
Of deAih. Let every moment Of your
time on earth be given to the most solemn
and earnest preparation for that great
event. Rely not on your sic
nor on the help Of others, but CASE vc1t-
self with al your sins upon your Savior
II you 60 to Him rs true peuilenls lie
will not reject you: lnt, sinful ns yoa = 20
and as great IS are your crimea, He will
pardon and forgive. Nay the Lord have
mercy on YOU
The judge then pronounced the GEN.
tence Of death upon Z. f. Spann, to be e1-
eeuted on Friday, the iltA day Of April
next.
! A ike sentence was then pronounced
| upon Miss Eberhsri. but, upon the solicit
! tatlon Of prisoners counsel, Col W. A.
Hawkins, the day Of execution was pro-
longcd until the u day of May
Sentence Of death was then pronounced
upon Lee Smitb,to be hung on Friday, the
2jth day ofApriL