Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1875-08-19

(sw e~ltering in the sum-, and gaping to
see it, a spectacle ofgameness such as
few men on this earth are capable of.
Calling for the counsel, both for his
defense and prosecution, the witness
ses on the trail and others one by one,
he shook hands with them, to the
counsel asseverating his innocence and
expressing his kindly telling for them
and to the witnesses, profering his
forgiveness while declaringing they had
sworn falsely.
AT intervals his devoted spiritual
advisers exhorted him, but with little
seeming attention on his part, his
mind seeming pre-, occupied with other
thoughts as he looked over the throng
assembled to see HIM executed, From
time to time he made short addresses,
mostly in the strain of as%severations
coupled with such exclamation as
you've all come out to see old John
Webb. Well, he is glad to see you,
and is Is ready TO- as he ever will
be-" "rd rather be in my place than
some of this crowd around him"
They've swore my life away, but l
forgive all" A short time before he
Sas swung off q messenger arrived
from his father, who announced to him
THE DEATH OF HIS SISTER,
and her burial to-day, and that his
father was expecting his (John's) body
that night. Webb seemed somewhat
affected by this, but soon recovered
his cool bravado of demeanor. To q
question of Mayor Staub, he stated
that he had put all the staten ent lie
had make in the hands of G.. Wash.
ington, Esq, who would give it to the
world.
seemed to bear up very well until it
come to the final parting just before the
adjusting of the when she gave
way to bitter sobs and means Of
anguish, which were heard all wei the
grounds. just before the moose was
adjusted Webb stood up and shook
hands with the sheriff and said,
you've got hold of the best old sol
der you ever had hold of; you have,'
he then bid the sheriff good bye--tht
last prayers were said by the spiritua
attendants. and Webb stood up on the
seat of the wagon with the rope dang
> ling just over his head, game to the
last.
Ills LAST WORDS
were "Well thank you all for comm!
out to see me hung, | forgive all, AM
hope God will forgive me. Good bye
> God bless you'll" to his wife "Ill tr.
and meet you in heaven" and finally
: Pm the best piece Of furniture tina
ever stood up here Iam." The blacI
Cap was then drawn over his face, an
the moose adjusted, his legs tied, hi
=, hands hand.cuffed behind him, an
:, without a tremor, or perceptible givin'
, way of that tremendous physical o
brute courage characteristic of tn
man, John Webb stood ready to ste
into eternity. The deputies, clergy
men, his wife. and all others steppe
:. down from the wagon. The horse
we're started, and in a moment more
shapeless bundle of clothes, dangle
3 under the beam-and Webb wa
HUNG.
SOMETHING ABOUT THE PLOT.
When Webb's wife first arrived 81
y. called on Ayers and asked him if
:, hired John to kill Reynolds, whe
Ayers replied that he knew nothir
about it whatever. Sheriff Swan in r
lating the incident to us, stated tn;
u he felt satisfied that lie did, having tt
documents in his pocket TO prove b
:" guilt. We asked to see the document
and were shown the two letters give
below. We understand, however, tn
the counsel for the defense pronoun
=. these letters as a forgery, and that thu
40 will call for them to-day. But he
are the letters:
A KUKLUX DOCUMENT.
"MARCH TIL l 1874.
''' "Nr. John Webb
DEAR SIR-I have been inform
by Mr.. Brown that you air one of t
~ old wal boys and will do to depend
I write you this in order have q int
~ view with you and if you will go wi
me to help X X X a man i will gi
luE n