Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1879-06-18
Faithful Unto Death.

A touching story is narrated in connection
with the execution of Walter Watson, st HIga-
land, Indiana, for the murder OF Ezra Comp
ton. Tho parties had quarrc!ed a5cus the
charge of quarter dollar for soap made by
Compton, who was storckeeper. Tho wife Ut
Watson, to whom be had been but year NOR.
ried, endeavored to restrain him from the quar-
rel. but her entreaties failed. A week before
the execution, Mrs Watson visited tho Cow
eruor; with her Innocent babe 10 her arms ao1
made strong personal appeal for mercy, but
that official declined to Interfere because tie
sentence had been confirmed by tho Saprema
Court The faithfuI wife vas daily visitor Il
her husbands CELL and ioiaed him 10 fs!vsoi
prayers for forgiveness. DJrIug the last nists
most Of the time she sat on bis knee, breathing
words Of Iowa end encouragement, or a. Ms
feet, csres,iug his HANDS. liz was truly
psnitent AID express I'd himself as having msdn
his peace with God. As the time appreac0ea
for the execution che was lor moment over
come, and tell on Der husbands neck 10 Sucon'
trol!ablc anguish, bus suddenly she raisod ncr
fixed. head aod assisted hin 10 arfans!ogbr MI
doom. She had contributed neckue aad
pair of slippers, and put them on hIm WIN
fierce determination that oVarDssierca heT
agony, She combed bis hair, ard elog all
was ready, she would 60 with him. All presonr
demonstrated with her, iu which the m'aIstera
ioiped, Her reply was rebuka thai few Wc-
mep would have ventured.
II should not havs e2p:c:ed this IRON
mioster. Whcn was married l PROMISED 70
cleavo to ny husband for better or worse. L.
proGissd this to a minister, and l an going to
keep my word as far as GJd will let me.
Ga reaching the galiow5 the piir sooa to b.
suodered mouotcd the steps haod lc nsnd.
They were SEATED side by side over toe lsta!
tran. She arain took his haud aud soSGed
with her little head resting upoa his shoulder.
while the minister made the cIcs6g prayers.
Meanwhile the culori! sM 10 his Chalr, ua-
moved. A heart b!ckea W t, Was job5ns On
bis bosom, strong mvu soobed, tu. the man
about to be hanged seemed 40 uolateicaiea
spectator Of the absorbing ne OF which no
was inc central 6gur:. For fully i've uloutes
be sat there wlth0u! perceDiblo WHICH oi
mu.c'c ThtrJ Wgs 10 bravado 10 this COM
posufe; it was rather the cslmuess OF reoiEoa'
tion. At the ccs, OF tho religious exercises
he Two stood up. cad for the last time she ein
braced her husband, kissed hn pasS!onatel9.
and With Good bye, Walter" stepped bacz
and FIJI toto the arm5 of the good Chrls:l4u
ladies' who Wcrs there to receive her. The latt
words cf the unhappy man were teiVert
prayer for merry and for heavenly aid 10 bis
poor wf.. At the sberlf's house she saw mo
remains of her husband in his cofiu, aud kiss,
ipg his lips and arranging tho hair. iutoed
away With lock Of VOC aud said: u can cry
no m1rc; | have no moro tears G1d haVo
mercy on mo and my little baby"
An hour later the ccffio was 10 ao east o3uod
train, accom- panied by his wife. A. Rlch!aod,
bleak station seven miles aTsy. IL was d..
posted 90 the barren ground, and as tue
train moved ou ouly one o!har perjo1 basli-s
tho widow WAS ia charge, Tie lac, OF that
broken hearted Womau, turned up to the c;u'
pants of the passing traio, most OF Whon had
seen the banging, will haunt maoy 10 lhelr