Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-01-07


and left the jail on a visit to some friends
up town SO az not TO be present at the
execution. The rash for tickets at the
Sheriff's Office wAs immense, and had
Sheriff Anderson so desired, he could
have issued two thousand tickets to the
curious.
BY halfpast twelve o'clock a dense
crowd assembled in the street outside,
on housetops and board piles, while boys
sat perched up in trees like squirrels.
The scaffold and trap were all ready,
and a plain walnut coffin was placed be-
meath the platform TO receive the body
Of the dead man. All the forenoon
Father Alyosius. of the Franciscan
Order. was 10 the cell With Scott minis
tering consolation and holding before
his view q picture Of the world to come
and the necessity Of religious prepare
ton for the great step into eternity,
when the profound mystery that hangs
between life and death meets with d
solution.
Dr.. Morrison. jail physician, and DR..
Nuttall we're in attendance to act as
medical experts at the s%csfOid.
The press was represented by Captain
Brooks Of the Appeal, Major Catron Of
the Avalanche, and our own omnipres.
ent representative, who attends every
thing from a ward meeting up to an axe
cution.
Judge Adams, Of the Criminal Court,
received a dispatch from Governor Por-
ter at Nashville stating that be would not
interpose Executive clemency in favor
Of either Scott or Williams, either by
way Of respite or reprievel.
At ten minutes past one o'clock jsilor
Jackson approached the condemned
mans cell and informed him that be was
ready to execute the law. By this time
the immense crowd outside began to
give evidence Of Impotence and many
q jest was uttered with reference to the
awful sentence. Scott had been Won
der'ully composed and cheerful. display
ing remarkable courage. Last night the
jsilor, hearing a noise in the cells, visit
ed SCOTS cell and inquired what was
the matter. Scott laughingly replied,
"0b. nothing; it is only Williams break
up housekeeping for tomorrow" This
melancholy j-st, approaching a witt
cism, is sufficient to show the character
Of the man,
Another incident occurred last night.
Williams said to, Scott: Il will meet
you 10 morrow in heaven" II don't
know about that" replied Scott, but !
an going there. and you may not" This
conversation was suggestive Of a pollen
icsl discussion IS to systems Of religion
and their future results.
OUTSIDE or H JAAL.
The sea OF faces outside of the strong
iron railing wss upturned with eager
stare to catch a glimpse of tae wretch
about to step out o. the sunshine forever.
Thousands swayed to and fro, each try.
ing to look over the shoulder Of his fellow
in front-perhaps vi should say, his
or her fellow for the female sex il its
most unsttractive forms wal not unrep.
resented. Scott, attended by Father
Alyosius, jsilOr jackson and Sheriff An
derson, followed by the reporters and
deputy sheriHs Powell and Dreyfus,
marched around the corner direct to the
gallows. Scott was the central figure Of
all eyes.
The party, consisting Of ten persons
besides the convict, ascended the tall
steps and discovered at least six thou,
sand peopls, of all ages, conditions and
both sexes. in the streets, many of them
perched on neighboring houses. Hu.
manity was jammed together as closely
as the piles OF lumber upon which many
Of the spectators sat in a state Of ex.
peetancY would admit, and the streets
we're full back to Main street.
Sheriff Anderson led the accused to
the drop just underneath the beam, and
taking the warrant OF execution from
his pocket, and in a clear aud distinct
voice, read the sentence OF the Supreme
Court which condemned him to death.
The reprieve which the Governor granted
until to-day was also read. During the
reading Of the sentence Scott stood like
a piece of statue, apparently uncon.
cerned as to the events which were
t~ranspiring around him. His arms were
p%inioned, and disappearance indicated
that be was fully prepared to meet tic
death Thai was sOon to be his fate.
His great GOODNESS was remarked
by all present. Standing as be
did, with his long black hair stream
ing down his back, with a small
~threadbare worn hat for his covering.
he looked like some Indian chief who
had left the wilds Of the distant West
and had come amongst the people o.
civilization only to be gszed at in won
der and surprise for his stoicism.
sooTT's TALL
Scott waited a moment with perfect
composure until all was quiet, and said
Il am ready to die, and have to die in &
few moments; | have no doubts as to my