Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-09-18
Confession Of Shifllet and Norris.

"HARRIsoNBURG, VA, Sept IL, 1871.
Anderson Shiffiettand Silas Morris within the
last few days have been in close and conhden-
tial conference with their counsel, with Inc al
torney for the Commonwea lth, with the judge
of the court and with Mr.. Ryman, the deputy
JaiIor, who stays in their cell with them at
night, and have made confession of their con-
nection with the murder of David G. Lawson,
and for which they are now under sentence OF
death. Shifflett, however, contends that Saml
Hail. the chief witness for the Commonwealth
in the case, procured for him the gun with
which he killed Lawson. That part OF the con-
fession which eliminates himself is douptiesS
true, but his effort to connect Hall with MIN IN
the murder it is believed has not the s'lghtest
foundation in fact. Morris admits his connec-
ton with the murder, saying he simply LIED"
for them and paid Shffietta part of the money
for killing Lawson"
We learn, through private letters written. on
last Sunday, that the above telegram which has
been going the rounds of the papers for several
days past, is incorrect in several important par
ticulars: Shifflett, we understand, has made a
confession, which will not be made public until
after the execution. Morris still protests his
innocence. Mr.. Ryman does not stay in the
cell with the prisoners at night.
Shifflett was SO anxious to see his wife and
family that Mr.. Ralston, the jailor, seEt for
| them on last Saturday, and when the messen
ger arrived at their home he found the whole
family sick with the measles, and their baby
had been buried that morning. When this
news was communicated to Shifflett his cries
| and screams were distressing in the extreme:
"Oh Lord have mercy! Oh, Lord, hear my pray
| ers!' &c. He seemed onsolable, andkept up
| the most lamentable walls until midnight of
| Saturday. He has been under deepest convic-
| ton of his sins for several days past, and on
! Sunday morning he protested conversion, and
gave vent to EXPLANATIONS Of joy and comfort
saying: at won't be long till 1 will be with my
baby, and oh, how happy will bel!
| THE PRESBYTERIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL PICNIC
| on last Saturday was success, in point of num-
bers, although the very inclement weather pre-
| vented the amount of hilarity and enjoyment
usually had on such occasions. The train left
here about o'clock, well filed with the old
and young, the grave, the gay, all apparently
| bent on day of real pleasure. 1t was sprink-
| ling rain, however, when the train arrived at
| Fort Defiance, and the large majority remained
| in the cars and 'whiled the happy hours
away" in social conversation and in eating
| snacks from the well filled baskets Of delicious
eatables. About 10 o'clock western bound
| freight train came along, under command OF
| Capt. Averill, who generously consented that
| all who had enough of "picknicking" might
| return to Staunton on his train. About two
| car loads concluded that they were satisfied
and returned. The balance of the crowd re-
manned, still cherishing the hopo that the low
ering clouds would pass away and offer propl-
| tious weather for outdoor exercise. This hope,
| however, was drowned by the weeping heav-
ems pouring forth showers of "beautiful rain"
Determined not to be deprived of substantial
pleasure, the baskets were passed round and
| everything took stand on the broad platform
of "eat, drink, and be merry" at which game
we distinguished ourselves, as can be amply
proven by number of the proprietors Of bas-
| kets, the contents of which suffered very
| materially from our desperate and continued
attacks. Being deprived of a portion of the
| enjoyment only seemed to give increased appe-
ttes and add fresh zest to that part of the pro-
gramme which was contained in the baskets,
| and notwithstanding the heavy rain we saw no
one who said they did not enjoy themselves
and many of the party seemed to have reaped
as much pleasure as if it had not rained.