The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-12

handsomely lined. Spann opened and looked into
IT. he wiped the tears from his eyes and asked for
water, OF which he drank freely. His cousin said
"Ferd, we have done ali We could for yOu. Good
by.n
world, where hope we will meet.r
HIS cousin then lett him. The Sheriff told him he
could rue put ne preferred TO walk to the gallows
situated about quarter OF mile away, in grove
Of lOng-leaved pines. He walked by the side OF the
sheriff, his head bent dewn most OF the way.
me procession arrived at the gallows at pre-
clsely eleven O'Clock. spann sat down on the steps,
Cawood, pastsr Of the Baptist church at Preston,
addressed him in o few words and read for his in
struction and comfort the seventeenth chapter OF
fifteenth verses. The scene was very impressive,
oil kneeling. Rev. Isaac Mart, a Baptist minister
O. high rsppte ter leo "a, IN very aecting prayer
while his lips moved in apparently silent, earnest
prayer. Calmly ana composed ne then assembled
the steps and took his stand on the platform.
sPAEN's WRITTEN STATEMENT.
He next requested gentleman present TO read
his statement, the following being The main points !:
desire to say few words in the fear OF God before
whom soon shall appear to give account OF what
lie. Painfully sensible OF my sins before God and
man. especially deplore my present sad condition
aud the fearful penalty must now pay for the
great offence OF which was convicted. But in this
great affection, keealy feeling the repr0ach have
borne and must still bear, have the consolation
to feel that God for Chrsts sake has heard my
prayers and freely forgiven my sins, though 80
great. ] have sure, steadfast hope to enjoy
happy eternity In Gods presence. am willing
cheeruy, to depart at this time, truly feeling that
to die is gain. II life were prolonged, but little is
world.r
Here the prisoner interrupted saying solemnly,
THAT'S so''
II appeal to all TO adhere to the paths OF recti-
tation. II had not Yielded to 't temptation
! would have been saved my present deplOrabe
fate beg all whom l have wronged to forgive
mo And frnnlu Gn,sr fI,s
fed against me on my trial were not correct ana
did me injustice. will not particularize or give
one circumstance for illustration. It was testified
that at the time OF our arrest in Conee county,
Ala, we met at Harris house, embraced across the
BOTH GUILTY AND EQUALLY GUILTY.
and she said, Eyes, know it, This liz an entire
mistake. Neither ofus uttered the words attributed
to u.s. One person, at least, thirty yards OF could
not have heard US. l might name other points as
being incorrect, but 1t would do ne good. do not
but to wrong Impressions on their minds anu
weakness and the uncertainty of erring humanity.
i In conclusion ,nahna desire 70 express my
to me and Interested themselves in my
behalf and in behalf OF her whose name and fate
was so closely and unfortunately associated with
me in this unhappy affair. trust their efforts for
her will be more successful than for me that her
life may be spared. sincerely desire she may be
saved from this tragic fate which am about TO
experience, and that she may yet enjoy the pleas
nres OF life, be useful and happy in this world, and
Hiiu HOuC Ill HcdVeu db ldSJ tTuSt Shall meet
my wife in heaven, where sorrows OF the
world are forgotten. l trust ! shall meet
all who wronged me there, where their
presence, instead OF being unpleasant, will
be Joy to each other forever. He
returned thanks to several by name, concluding
II commend my soul to God; pray His blessing
on all mankind, and now am ready to depart"
He then faced the audience and said :-"Frdav be-.
fore Easter Sunday was the day Christ was cruel
fed" He trusted he had learned an important les
son was prepared and ready to die; exhorted all
to seek salvation.
THE DEATH SCENE.
The Sheriff then adjusted the rope and tied his
hands. He continued saying 'POor me, Lord hav Q
mercy" even after the black cap was drawn over
his face.
The Sheriff said "Ferd, are you ready ~
He said, Eyes. God be Iuercul.D
The Sheriff, at half-past eleven, cut the small
leather strap; the platform dropped, and Spann
fell five feet. He made a few very slight move
ments OF his limbs. In two minutes and half all
movements ceased. his heart ceased to beat, and
in twenty-five minutes he was taken down, placed
in = coffin, and the body delivered to his friends.
He is to be buried tomorrow.
Two sisters and two brothers OF Miss Eberhart
witnessed the execution. BY Spann's request the
written statement was delivered TO Miss Eberhart
after execution. She asked her friends to inter-
cede with the Governor to commute the sentence,
but said she had not much hope.
This Is the fourth person hanged in the county
since 1854. one OF whom. in 1857 was for wife muir
der and a negro vile murderer. Lee Smith, now
In JAIL is sentenced to be hanged on the 25ta inst