The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-02-07
INCIDENTS, &c, &c.

Rnm0rs were rife Ia this city on Wednesday
morning that Davis had made full confes.
sion, and as il was repeated on the street the
confession grew more marvellous. Every Of.
fort 70 get ut the truth Of the matter resulted
fruitlessly, and. nothing, except that partial
disclosure had been made TO Sheriff Deyilbiss,
could be truthfally ascertained. kilograms
were received FROM the Baltimore papers ask.
ing for a full statement, even us late as 0
o eloek, ?. NJ Soon the, fumor reached the
surrounding country, and many persons con-
cluded that they had especial business in town
that afternoon and Thursday. THIS ADVOCATE
Office was almost beseiged by anxious nquir.
ers, but we could not tell them mote than
they had heard on the street Each seemed
disappointed, but were grati6ed TO learn that
confession had been made.
On Tuesday, r. b. Norment, ESQ, State 5
Attorney for this county, made an effort to
have Davis respited for two or three weeks.
Mr.. Norment was seconded in his efforts by
Hon. John Z. Smith, who assisted in the
prosecution. We understand that the follow
ing are the reasons which moved them to ask
for Executive clemency THAT inasmueh as
the various appeals in behalf Of Joseph W.
Davis, now under sentence Of death, have
most probably induced him to entertain hopes
Of pardon or escape from the full penalty Of
the law, he may not have given that serious
and solemn consideration to his impending
fate that the urgent necessities of his case de.
mand, we therefore feel, that whilst we have
an unaltered conviction in the justice Of his
sentence, il would be a most proper act on
your part, under the circumstances, to respite
him to some future day, tcithin yoar Official
term, 50 that he may have opportunity, with nc
1 h0na lnnuar ~, Aafas.,
tion for the dreadful doom that awaits him.
We know that this suggestion, made in pro
found respect to you will be appreciated, and
we do not hesitate to believe It will be adopt
ed by you.
Gov White firmly refused to interfere, and
said the law must take its course, unless the
Legislature passed the resolution Of Mr..
Longwell, requesting him to do So Mr.. Nor,
ment was accompanied in his visit to the Gov.
ernor by Hon. John X. Longwell, Senator
from this county. The following dispatch was
received by Sheriff Devilbiss on Tuesday
evening:
ASSAroLis, Mn, Feb. 0, 1874.
Ed,eard DeriiLiss, Sheriff Of Carroll Gonn.
| ty.-The Governor refuses to interfere Da-
Wis will be hung on Friday.
r. d. NoRxRSr.
On Wednesday afternoon, at the urgent
request of Davis, Rev. W. c. Cremer, Pastor
of ST. Paufs Reformed Church, this city, be.
ing satisfied Of his penitence, in the presence
of Elders Charles Ii. Hennenan, John II
Bowers and Peter B. Mikesell, administered
the right Of Confirmation and the Lord
Supper.
On Thursday the excitement WINS increased
| by the publication in the Baltimore papers OF
what was supposed to be the confession. TO.
gether with resume of the murder and the
several trials from the time it was committed
up to the present time.
In company with one Of his spiritual adyi-
| sors, Rev. Mr.. Cremer, on Thursday morning
We visited Davis. Deputy Sheriff Shatfer mel
US at the door, and we we're invited into the
waiting room Of the Jail. In few minutes
Mr.. Shaifer opened the doors and ushered US
into the presence of the doomed man. Aswe
entered the cell Davis arose from his seat, OF.
fered us chairs, and said Good morning,
gentlemen" Mr.. Cremer then inquired how
he had passed the night, and he replied Z" /
did not sleep well, as two men staid in the
room with me, and by their talking kept me
awake. he seemed to be very calm, but was
much reduced from his long confinement.
Mr.. Cremer remained with him sometime.
In company with the Deputy Sheriff we
visited the scafiold, and found the carpenters
at work. The scaffold was erected by Geo.
Lease, master builder Of this city. The
scaifold is placed in the northwest corner of
the Jail yard, facing the Court House, the plat.
form is reach by q steps and is 81 feet from
the ground; from the ground to the top of the
cross beam is % feet, and the heighth Of the
platform above the wall surrounding the iail
Is feet. The rope is made of hemp, and is
half an inch in thickness.
We give below in condensed form the fol-
lowing