The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-04-26
Till DeatiI Did Them Part.

In January last, Walton Watson in New
port, Ind, shot and killed Ezra Compton
because of slight error made by the latter
in an account. Watson was hanged last
Thursday and the scene at his execution
was probably never surpassed for tragical
| pathos 1t is described as follows in the
Chicago Times: A week ago Watsons
| young wife, with her babe in her arms, ap-
pealed to the Governor for mercy for her
| husband. 1t was refused. Since then as be-
| fore, she passed the time as much as posi-
BILE with her husband. When at last the
sheriff told Watson it was time to prepare
| for for ex cution, she set about to array her
husband for his doom. A neat suit of
broadcloth had been procured for him. She
herself had contributed pair of slippers
and a necktie She then combed his hair,
and having added the loving touch remark
ed: ''Now you are ready, Walter, and will
go with you" She had announced the
day before her determination to accompany
her husband on the scatfold, but no one
dreamed that she meant to carry itinto exe>
cution. All the attendants demonstrated
with her. One of the ministers said
softly Mrs. Watson, that will never do.n
Quick as flash she turned on him, reply
ing: 81 should not have expected this from
a minister. When 1 was married, prom
ised to cleaye to my husband for better or
for worse. promised this to a minister,
and 1 am going to keep my word as
far as God will let me-" Precisely at - |
o'clock Sheriff Dallas led the way to the |
Jail yard. About 100 witnesses were there |
ssembled-Holding her husbands hand,
the little woman assembled the scatfold.
Two chairs were placed over the fatal trap.
One was assigned to Watson, the other to
his wife. She tenderly took his hand,
caressed it, and then fell sobbing on his
shoulder. Then Rev. Mr.. Waincott began
to read a carefully prepared prayer from
Manuscript, and on closing the prayer, said:
'Brother Watson, be calm and trust in
God" Meanwhile the culprit sat in his
chair, unmoved, A heart-broken wife was
sobbing on his bosom, strong men sobbed,
but the man about to be hanged seemed an
spectator of the absorbing
scene of which he was the central figure.
For fully five minutes he sat there without
the least perceptble twitch of muscle.
There was no bravado in this composure;
it was rather the calmnes of resignation.
Then the Sheriff said; ''Stand up, Walter ,
Watson" Mrs Watson arose with her
husband. She threw herself on his breast !
and said, ''Good-by, Walter" kissed him {
passionately on the lips turned her white :
face full of bitterness and reproach, on the [
multitude, stepped back, and fell into the I
lrms of good Christian ladies who stood '
near to receive her, and was ledaway. I
In the Sheriff's residence the q
widow, who had been weeping bitterly, |
suddenly dried her eyes, and approaching (
he cofiiu with firm step, looked longing> 7
v at the face, kissed the lips, eyes and I
,row, arranged the hair and then said very a
Iuietly; "Now please close the coffin and I
ct none see my Walter again. Her re- A
luest was complied witla She turned away I
With a look Of woe and said, in a voice II
ull of strange meaning: 81 can cry no '
nore. have no more tears. have no u
lore tears. God have mercy on me and a
ny little baby h