The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-04-24
A HEROINE.
The wife Of the Murdered Watson.

The scenes and incidents clustering
around the latter portion of the life of
Walter Watson, who was recently cxecut-
ed for murder in Newport Ind. developed
amazing qualities of a true and beautiful
heroism in the character of his young wife.
The determination TO accompany her hus-
band to the scaffold was met by the re-
monstrance of all around her. One of the
attending ministers remarked in soft and
gentle accents, MRS. Watson, this will
never do" AS quick as the lightning's
flash she turned on him, replying: II
should not have expected this from
minister. When l was married, promis-
ed to cleave to my husband for tbetter or
for worse. l promised this to minister,
and am going to keep my word as far as
God will let me-
She is described as 'wee bit of a thing"
but in soul woman of great strength of
purpose. Her face would make a study
for an artist. She is blonde of a very
pronounced type; her forehead broad and
high; her featuree irregular, but exquisite
in their delicacy and mobility; her eyes
large and intelligent. AT one moment her
mouth indicates great tenderness and
sweetness of disposition, but in an instant
the lips compress with a irmness which
fills one with surprise. From this descrip-
| ton we are not surprised to know that she
assisted in arraying her husband for the
| final trying scene, and even contributed
some articles to his wardrobe-a necktie
and pair of slippers. The latter with
her own hands she placed upon his feet,
and put the tie around his neck with u
care and detail that could not have been
out of place, had she been decking him
out for marriage feast. She then comb
ed his hair, and after having. finished the
last loving touch, remarked: Now you
are ready, Walter, and will go with YOU
Holding her husbands hand, the brave lit
tie woman accompanied him to the scat.
fold, amid a stiffness described as absolute
ly painful They took seats side by side
she tenderly taking his hand in hers,
caressed it and then giving way to her
tears, fell wailing upon his breast. Thus
they sat, while players assembled to heaven,
asking mercy upon the doomed man-she
sobbing upon his bosom-he, calm, resign
ed, awaiting his fate. The sheriff chang.
ed the scene by saying: Stand up, Walter
Watson:' The wife arose with him
Goodbye Walter" were her parting words
as she once more kissed him passionate
ly; and turning her pale face full of bit
terness and reprOach upon the spectators
she fell into the kind and loving arms OF
some female friends, and was borne away
After the execution, the body of heI
husband was delivered to her. She had
been weeping loud and bitterly, but she
suddenly dried her eyes and approaching
the coffin, looked lovingly at his dead
face kissed hislips, eyes and brow, arrang
ed the neck tic with tender hands once
again, and then quietly said: Nov
please close the coffin and let no one SET
my Walter again. l can cry no more.
have no more tears. God have mercy
upon me and little baby"
An hour later the corpse was placed OIL
the train accompanied by this heroic wife
Seven miles a way was the bleak, for bid
den, deserted station, Richland. The cOffir
was deposited on the barren ground by
: the railroad side; the broken hearted, de
so.ate widow and one other, were the only
watchers and mOurners. Thus was de
veioped the heroic qualities of one, wht
taking her own Interpretation of what he
duty was, under exceedingly trying cir
cumstances, bravely, unfiinchingly an(
magnificently performed it, May friends
!, orise around heriiu her widOwhOOd-a
numerous as the stars of heaven, and a
countless as the sands of the sea.