The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-02-20

| granted snort interview wild the murderer
but he steadily and persistently declined to
see any newspaper men, prefering to hold
| communion with his maker and the two
bailiffs. who were standing guard in the cell
with him. During the afternoon the follow
ing letter was addressed to Major John ID.
Simpson, editor of the Star:
A LETTER FROM THE JAIL.
Beavers arose this morning and ate q hearty
breakfast, and conversed freely Wi h several
of the prisoners. At 1880 a. m. the Revs. Sti-
| yer and Tinsley were admitted to his cell.
| After prayer by the ministers, Beavers mede
| q short and feeling prayer at ii IS, lasting
| about 10 minutes. Alter the ministers had re-
tired, Beavers called several of the prisoners 10
/ his cell and talked with them, giving al good
advice, telling them TO leave OFF sin and seek
| God. He also told that he had fearful dreams
| last night; that he could plainly see the pits
! of hell, with their terrible flames. There
| was a very remarkable change in him
| from 10 to ~ o'clock. Judge Allison sent
| word by the minis ers Tor him to prepare foe
| death, as there was no show for him. Beavers
| partook of a very light dinner to-day. He
has given up all hopes and says he is not
| be with him to night. He requested that the
\ ministers hold prayer meeting in the jail this
siee f1S IN o11sI tnaI ne Ingne 1e m
| expects to meet his wife in the better world
says he feels as though he will be better off.
WM KITCHENER,
VIM. SHANNON.
MAKING HIS PEACE.
The sheriff says that for several weeks
Beavers has been paying assiduous attention
to the instructions of his spiritual advisers
and has been reading his Bible almost con-
stantly. Often when the sheriff would
enter the cell he would find the murderer
on his knees invoking the divine blessing,
and asking forgiveness for his past sins. A
few weeks ago he scoffed at religion, and
said, iii step into the pearly gates unless
there's some one there to bar me out" At
| another time be said when asked if he were
going to make confession, mo, unless il is
to relieve Judge Allison of the responsibility
of sentencing me to DEATH" When asked If
he thought he would be hung he said, NO
don't, and will not till | hear them pull
the trigger, and then it will be too late to
think"
THE MOTIVE FOR THE CRIME
When Mr.. Sewell came to North Vernon
he had $137 in money on his person and the
deed for this property, which was signed and
ready for delivery to Beavers as soon as be
paid a certain sum of money. Since the
occurrence Beavers is said to haye acknowl-
edged that his only motive in the murder
was to gain possession of the money Sewell
had with him and the deed to the land. 1t
was simply desire to possess these that
actuated him to commit one of the most
atrOcious murders of modern times He
inveigled the victim into the church on
preteDse that he wanted to further examine
the papers, and when once in there be
availe1 himself of the opportunity of muir
dering him by beating him over the head
with a huge club while his back was turned.
THE SCENE OF THE TRAGEDY.
The scene of the tragedy is about IA miles
from here in strip of woods. The church
is brick structure, and is used both as q
school house and a church, and as there are
but few people living in its immediate
neighborhoo6, there was but little prooa-
bility of detection on the night in question.
The spot was well chosen and is another
link in the chain Of evidence which shows
the act TO have been premeditated.
THE DEATH TRAP.
Immediately upon receipt of the news of
the action of the supreme court the sheriff
ordsred that the work of building the scat
fold, which had been intrusted to Mr. Geo.
Spangler, be proceeded with. The scaffold
| IS Sx1O feet in diameter, and IA feet high,
giving about five feet drop. 1t is constructed
of two upright main timbers above the plat
form. Inserted IN the upper beam was
heavy ring bolt, to which was fastened the
rope. which was half an inch in diameter
and made of cat gut and hemp. The platform
was six and one-half feet from the ground,
and the trap door was supported by bolt,
which was withdrawn by lever. This was
surrounded by high board Enclosure, 25x40
feet square.
STRANGE MIXTURE.
As the ladies were in the cell praying for
the doomed man the sound of the carpen-
ter's hammer was plainly heard in the cell
as be worked industriously on the gallows,
and the effect of the two sounds was any.
thing but cheerful. The memorable edlct of
the law had to be satisfied, and the men
working OH the gallows were but doing their
duty, while the ladies in the cell were also
doing theirs. Two of the sheriffs bailiffs
remained with him in his cell all night.
THE HUMAN INSTINCT.
All afternoon and late into last night the
court yard was filled with men, women and
children, all of whom had come to view the
scaffold on which Beavers was to give up his
life. This sity could not be satisfied
until they had seen it, but strong military
guard was kept around it to prevent any
accident.
FRIENDLY VISITS.
He received calls last night from his
| father in law. Mr.. J. III. Davis, his sister-in-
| law and brother-in. law, and also from his
| two children, a Rirl about s years of age and
| a boy years Old. When the children APP
preached the cell in which their father was
confined. he evinced considerable
| his arms, kissed them passionately
and said, ADA. don't you know me?"
Neither OF the children recognized their
| father, and they were evidently afraid of
| him, as they shrank back and were anxious
| to leave the place. He also received visit
from his sister. Mrs. Gordon, of Saluda town
ship, this county.
81 KILLED HIM."
Last night, while the Rev. Mr.. Stevens was
| praying with him, Beavers exclaimed in
agony, Il killed himl / killed
himl' He then dropped on his
knees and prayed almost necessarily
until o'clock this morning, at which time
| he took a short nap. which was the only
sleep he has had since receiving the news OF
| his impending fate. At 3 O'Clock this morn