Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-02-13
and threw them on the floor, remarklng,
will have to say s Something hi to the crowd"

and threw them on the floor, remarklng,
81 have had enough of confessions, pue
will have to say something to the crowd
THE EXECUTION.
At O'Clock this morning, Davis having
refused breakfast, the ministers entered tne
cell. Previous to this, however, he was
given large drink of brandy, which had
the desired effect of reviying him consld-
erably, for he was much downcaSt and had
not eaten since Wednesday morning. pa
Wis appearing to be very penitent ana SIN
cere, several times assuring all present.
That all contained in his confession was
true, except that some of the newspapers
had reported him as saying that Lynn had
called nm liar and had used an abusive
| epltlieC towards him. He wanted the world
to know that Mr.. Lynn had not done so,
he only scolded him'to such an extent that
| a quarrel ensued, with the unhappy re-
suits SO well known
THE JAIL WAS FILLED
with county officers, newspaper men, and
others. About a quarter before twelve
noon, the sheriff and his deputies entered
the cell with the white shroud and cords
to bind the prisoner. He appeared to pay
but little attention to this, but continued
listening to the eXhortatlons OF the minis
tiers. Sheriff DeVllDlSS duuOtluoou ehstG lLe
time had arrived for the
FINAL PREPARATIONS.
Davis was dressed clearly and genteely
and apparently with some care, but IN
clothes rather light for the season. The
weather was bitterly cold and snow falling
rapidly. The sheriff went for thicker cloth
ing of his own, and while he was absent
one of the deputies seeing that Davis was
rapidly sinking poured him out half glass
of brandy which he drank off as if in hur-
ry,and seemed torevive him considerably.
AS one of the deputies was assisting him
to put ON the second pair of pants, the Off
Ger remarked to him, ''Joe, try and keep
your nerves firm" Davis replied, ''Why
amt [ doing so; think I am doing re-
markably well.'' When his arms were
about being pinioned the entire frame OF
the unfortunate man seemed to culver for
ness and prayed silently, as could be seen
from the movement of his lips. On the
conclusion of the operation Davis said to
the sheriff, ''Won't you button a shirt col
lar on for me ?" The reply was that it
was scarcely worth while, when Davis said
Just so, but, Mr.. Devilbiss, won't you
put one ON when it is all ?" He was
informed that his wish should be complied
with Here Davis attempted to talk to
emotion.
THE PROCESSION TO THE sCAFFoLD
left the cell at 1901, headed by the minis
tiers. One minute was consumed in reach
ing the foot of the gallows. Davis walked
with a firm step until reaching the foot of
the instrument of death, but as his eye
| caught his coffin under the scaffold he fall
| tered, but Revs. MeSSrs. Cramer and Rich
mi VIII 1oI
the scaffold, each assisted him up by the
arms. On reaching the platform Davis
| apparently regained his firmna ss, and for
| moment silently gaZed upon the crowd out
side the Jail wall. Several indiscreet per-
sons in the crowd called out to him in
jeering way to say farewell but Davis took
no notice of them. He walked too near
the edge of the platform and the snow fall
ing fast the sheriff replaced his hat on his
head, it having been removed.
SPEECH FROM THE GALLONS.
Davis approached to within about two
| feet of the edge Of the platform, and pro-
ceeded to address the crowd. expressing the
| hope that his large audience would give at
| tention to the few words he would say. He
said he had been brought to the gallows by
| his own crime, and warned all present,
whom he called 'dear friends, - to lead
good lives. II die" he said, ''feeling no.
! ill-will towards any eliving Ihave made
a full confession. Every word l have said
is true. l warn all, and particularly young
men, to avoid evil and resist tempation.S
[ have been brought here to-day for the
murder of one once friend and employer.
l am here for deed which never inten-
ded to commit, but / lay all to sthe teach
ings of that man. l can say no more. ~
After thanking the sheriff and the sheriff's
family and officers Davis continued say
| ing: Now all take warning by my fate
Farewell all. 1 hope we may all meet i'm
the next world. May God have mercy on
you ALL Several times the condemned
man faltered, and most of his audience,
thought he was about breaking down, but
each time he quickly recovered himself.
THE FINAL SCENE.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr.. Cramer.
The condemned man shook hands. the
drop fell, at 12:11, nine minutes after leay-
ing the cell, and the execution was accom-
plished. Davis died very hard, the knot
slipping to the front under the chm. The
neck was not broken. There were five
thousand people present to witness the
scene, the snow storm prevailing at the
time adding to the impressiveness of the
occasion