Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-05-10
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH.

A touching story is narrated In con-
nection with the execution OF Walter
Watson, at Highland, Indiana, Gu FIR
day, for the murder of Ezra Compton.
The parties had quarreled about the
change of quarter OF dollar for some
soap made by Compton, who was
store keeper. The wife of Watson 10
whom he had been but year married,
eudeavored TO restrain him from the
quarrel but her entreaties failed. 4
week before the execution Mrs. Ws,sou
visited the Governor, with ber babe in
her arms, and made strong personsl
appeal for mercy, but that official de-
ciined 10 interfere because the sentence
had been confirmed by the Supreme
Court. The faithful wife was daily
visitor TO her husbands Cell, and joined
him in fervent prayers for forgiveness.
During the last night mos; OF the time
she sat on his knee, breathing words Of
love and encouragement, or at his feet,
caressipg his hands. lie was truly >
peuitent, aud expressed himself as hav-
ing made peace with his God. AS the
time approached for the execution she
was for moment overcome, aud fell on
her husbands neck in uncon.roIiaSie
anguish, but suddenly sho raised her
fiaxen head and assisted in arraying him
for his doom. She had contributed Il
necktie aud pair OF slippers, and pas
them ON him with fierce determisa-
tion that overmastered her agony. She
combed his hair, and seeing all was
ready, said she would 60 with him. Al
present demonstrated with her, III which
the minister joined. Her reply WAS
rebuke that few women would have ven
tured, Il should not have expected this
from a minister. When ] was married
promised to cleave TO my husband tor
better or for worse. l promised this ID
minister, and l am going to keep my
word rs far as God will let me" On
reaching the gallows the pair soon to
be sundered mounted the steps hand in
hand. They were seated side by side
over the fatal trap. She again took his
hand and sobbed with her little head
resting upon his shoulder, while tho
minister made the closing prayers.
Meanwhile tie culprit Eat in his chair
unmoved. A heart broken wife was
sobbing on his bosom, strong men sobbod
but the man aboutto be hanged seemed
au uninteresting spectator OF the ab.
sorbing scene Of which he was the cen
trail figure. For fully five minutes ho
sat there without the least pcrcep,iblc
twitch of mucle. There was no bra
vado in this composurc; it was rather
the calnncss of resignation. Az !he
close Of tho religious exercises tho two
stood up, and for the last time she en-
braced her husband, kissed him passion.
ately, and with q sweet "Go0d-bye,
Walter" stepped back and back into tho
arms OF the good Christian ladies who
were there to receive her. The last
words Of the unhappy wan wele fer
vent prayer for mercy and for heavenly
aid TO his poor wife. At the sherlits
house she saw the remains OF the hus.
band in bis coffin, aud kissing his lips
and arranging the hair, turned away
with look of woe, aud said: 81 can cry
no more; / have no more tears God
have mercy on inc and little baby"
An hour later the coffin was in an
east bound train, accompanied by tho
wife. At Richland, bleak station seven
miles from this point it was deposited
on the barren ground, and as the train
moved on only one person beside the
widow was in charge. Tho face that
broken hearted woman turaeI up TO tho
occupants OF the passing train, most Of
whom had seen the hanging, will haunt
many in their dreams.