Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-08-14
Wonderful Nerve Displayed by
the Doomed Man.
He Dies Protesting His In.
nOcence.
Speeial to the union and American.


Special to the Union and American.
KNOXVILLE, Aug, 1S.--JOhn g. Webb
died to-day the death OF convicted felOn
on the scafold, having expiated with his
life the terrible crime he committed. AT
an early hour this morning the people be
gan pouring in from the country, and by
ten o'clock the crowd was the largest that
has teen Witnessed in the city for many
years. The streets near the jail were
ThrOnged for Hours
before the procession started from the
prison, and it was with difficulty that the
crowd coald be prevented from breaking
down the fencing in their eageness to get
a good view, and as the hour drew nigh the
crowd became more dense, until it seemed
for time it would be impossible to pass
thrOugh-ail this to see a poor creature
hung. Webb was guarded through the
night by officers detailed for that purpose.
A light was kept burning in his cell all
night,
Ths Prisoners wife
remained with him until one o'clock. He
cOnversed freely concerning his srrests trial
and sentence, though carefully avoiding
making any admission that would crimi-
nate him. About 3 O'Clock he lay down
to sleep after requesting the guard to swak-
en- him by daylight, which was attended tOi
but he then said be would rest little
longer. He ate breakfast Ct 8 O'Clock,
eating very largely, to which he called the
attention of one Of the guards, stating it
would be
HIS last Opportunity.
After breakfast he was again visited by
his confessor, Father Walsh, of Chattanoo-
ga, and on the recommendation of a
physician, he was given some rye whisky,
and was advised by the priest not to drink
it, and it was left uutssted for the time,
but in a few minutes be overcame his
scruples and drank, IN preparation fordeath.
About 10 O'Clock the prisoner was given
New suit Ol bAdNh NAOAhCss
In which he dressed himself, and asked
Sheriff Swan for the use of a razor to shave
himself, which was refused. This made
him very angry, and he told the Sheriff to
$50 60 HELP
and take the razor with him. The Priest re-
manned with him to the last. About seven
O'Clock the death warrant was read to him
by Sheriff Swan, when he asked the privi-
Iege of reading it himself, and when be had
finished be raised his hands and declered
before God 1885
His Execution was Unjust.
At the gillOws, the nerve exhibited by
the unhappy man was astonishing; the only
emotion which disturbed him was anger,
and in this mood he addressed the assem-
bIed Thousands from the scaffOld.
He Made NO Confession,
simply asserting that he had prepared
true statement, which was in the hands of
Col. George Washington, one of the prose-
cutting counsel, who would make it public,
This statement seriously duplicates Joseph
Ayers, low in confinement. The military
were out in fullforce, presenting a splendid
appearance in the new uniforms. At his
own request, Webb suffered
as Death by stranguIatiOn.
At the fatal moment the doomed man
| stepped upon box at the end of the wagon
and Strengthening himself to his full length
said in clear, ringing tones, "YOu have
wanted to see poor John Webb swing for a
loug time; now take good look ct him;
you never looked at a better piece Of fur
niture. forgive you all, but you win
have to do
| A Heap OF Hard Praying
to get forgiveness from God" When his
wife told him to pray to God, he replied,
s.Don't let that trouble you. would
sooner be here in my fix than a good many
| in that crowd" Then the word was given,
and the wagon was moved from under. He
succeeded in easing himself from it in such
a way as to prevent any fall. After hang
ing for about twenty minutes life was pro
nounced extinct.
On the Eve Of Eternity.
Knoxville Chronicle, Aug. y.
Webb still persists in declaring his in
! noceuce. and saws that he will read list Of
| names from the galloWS Of these whoswore
| lies against him, and request them in the
future when they want to kill a man TO
take pistol and shoot him in the heart,
| instead Of swearing his life away. He
| said if they would Just let him into the
| dungeon with Ayers a few minutes with
his razor be would be willing to put the
rOpe around his neck himself and let his
| wife DO the hanging. The iailOr remarked
| 10 him: "Oh YOU wouldn't kill Joe, would
! Won. John?7 When he replied: ''lt l
| wouldn't hope God might sink my soul in
hell the next minute
Shortly after this he said he did not be-
| Iieye that be would be hung. He said :
aWben l feel the rope around my neck and
the trap is about to be moved from under
nv feet then will believe that am TO be
HING and not before" The jailOr inform
| ed him that he would be hung as certain
as the day arrived, when he replied: ''Well,
then, am ready"
he seemed as Indifferent yesterday as
ever before. His brother arrived yesterday
| and visited him lnthe cell, having long
talk with him.
GOOD OLD ROBERTSON.
up BONANZA OF silver for Anybody
who wants It.
| To the Union and American:
BLACK JACK, Aug, 1O.-some years
sinca Mr.. Scott was pI Ospecting on the
south uroDg Of Red River, in Robertson
county. Tenn, for salt water. When pass
ing nv land on said River his attention
was diverted BY his rod TO place lLsI Ut
nropounced TO be- q silver mine. IneIe
were only two men in company with MI
Scott. After a consultation they agreed to
keen il a secret from me. This was don't
for several years, when heard Of it. l, a
most of men, was DESTROYS Of asceTtainins
The fact, if | could, whether or not there
was any silver ore there. The second MAI
, ] 81 rro va tho Carna dnpiSlOT