The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-12-26
WHY HE WASN'T HUNG.

Il have served two terms as sheriff
of Usage county, said the little mas
as he lit fresh cigar, and braced his
feet against the stove as if about 10 de-
light us with stOly.
Did you ever hang anybodyT was
the natural inquiry that was quickly
propounded to the ex-sheriff.
NO. and thought I detected q
faint smile on the speakers lips. But
held q man under sentence of death.
and he wasn't reprieved either
OF course all of us wanted to hear
about that man, and Mr.. Mittimus pro-
ceeded at once to crafty our curios-
ity.
Il knew before the case was called
that J John Upshot would be found gull
ty of murder in he first degree. His
relatives, and they were numbered
among the most wealthy and influen-
tial people of the district-engsged
the ablest lawyers in the State for
the defense. But money and talent
could not save the criminal. A good
deal of legal lore was lost upon the
twelve honest farmers who filled the
jury box, ,and the only thing that SEEM
ed to attach itself to the trial was the
chicanery of Mr.. Upshot's counsel.
For four days that trial dragged
its serpentine length through the Oc-
tober term. It worried me, for, as 1
felt that was to have hanging on
my hands, wanted to get through
the ugly job as quickly as possible. I
did not sleep much of nights, for had
to lie awake and hear the murderer
pacing his eel! as if the ghost of his
victim was keeping him on terrible
march. The closing of the trial was q
great relief and breathed freer, even
when l heard the only verdict at
which twelve good honest men could
arrive. heard the cheer that greet.
ed the verdict, and when took my
man back to Jail, he looked up into
my face and said with smile:
'You will do me the favor by com.
mitting no blunders when the time
comes, Mr.. Mittimus.'
His words and tone told me that
he would die courageously, and felt
like thanking John Upshot for that,
for was fearful that he would play
the coward. 1 felt that could hang
a man that was not afraid to die. A
coward, squirming aud weakening on
the gallows, might have unnamed
me.
'The town of Usage was not large
then. The Jail, to which was attach
ed the SherifTs residence, stood on &
rise, and the rear windows, barred and
very strong, overlooked a gently slop
ping piece of ground which boasted
of fine grove of beech aud butternut
That grove held many pleasant recol
lections to me, for there had played
through boyhood, and 1 loved to fre
quent its cooling shades, long after
had reached mans estate. 1t was up
on this pretty scene that the sole win
dow of John Upshot's cell looked
More than once during the trial 1 hat
discovered him standing.at the BAR
as if signing for the freedom of tn
birds that filled the grove with thei
music.
'The day of execution approached
but very slowly to me. assure yol
gentlemen, that wanted it to com
on the wings of the wind, for, as
have already said, wanted the hang
mans job off my hands. The prison
er appeared Indifferent for severa
days after trial but the horror of hi
approaching fate soon fell upon him
and his smiles faded away. A repriev
was totally unlocked for, aud 1 be
lieve that no steps were ever taken to
wards one. Upshot would be hung.
The weather, for the fall was de
:. lightful. Indian Summer was upol
us, and the days had the mellownes
of the true Indian Summer, and tn
:, skies were soft and beautiful over
head. used to wander into the grow
on Sabbath afternoons; but my visit
10 ceased suddenly. One day l happen
&c ed 10 cast my eyes toward the jai
'c which was visible from the place oc
SC cupied, and behold saw pale fac
,c at the window of John Upshot's eel
'0 The condemned man seemed to b
looking at me, who had been CON
missloned to launch him into etern
= ty. His eyes seemed full of nut
pleading and burning into my yer
heart. could not stand that awf,
q look, and made my way back to tow
pit unneryed for the first Tina since b
conviction.