The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1879-05-02
FAlTHEUL UNTO DEATH

LoWS. s.a,.,a,aisE sEyE!Tl tiDf-a1stt ~
A touching story is narrated in
connection. with the executions Of
Walter Watson, iat Highland, Indi-
ana, on Friday last for the murder
Of Ezra. Compton. The parties lad
quarrelled about the chargesofa ofaagduar
Ter of dollar for some soap made by
Compton, who was q storekeepsr-
The wife Of Watson, to whom lie had
been hut year married, endeavored
to restEain him from the quarrel, but
her entreaties failed. A week before
the execution Mrs Watson visited
the Governor, with her babe nfher
ms, and made strong personsi
appeal for mercy, but the official de-
clined to interfere because the sch
tence had been confirmed by, the SE-
prcmeo Court. The faithful wile was
q daily visitor to her husbands cell,
and joined linn in fervent prayers for
forgiveness. During the last night
most Of the time sire sat on his knee
breathing words of love and encour-
agement, or at his, feet caressing his
hands. He, was truly penitent, and
expressed himself as having made
peace with Cod, AS the time, ap.
preached for the execution she was
for moment overcome, and fell on
her husbands neck in uncontrollable
anguish, but suddenly she raised her;
Haxcn head and assisted in arraying
him for his doom. She had contrib
uted a ncckte and pair of slippers.
and put them on with fierce detera
mination that oyermastered her ago7
ny. She combed his hair, and seeing
all was ready, said she would gorwith
him. All present demonstrated, with
her, in which the minister joined
Her reply was rebuke that few ;wo-
men would have ventured. 81 should
not have expec cd this from minis
ter. When was married promised
10 .cleave TO my husband for better or;
worse. promised this to . ministers.
and nm going TO keep my word as
far as God will let me- On reach
ing the gallows, the pair soon 10 be
sundered mounted the steps hand in5
hand. They were seated side by5
side over the fatal trap. She again
took his hand and sobbed switl,. herl
little head resting upon his shoulder.
while the minister made the closing
prayers: I.li,a .sar :.s na,u az
Meanwhile the cplpriL sat I'M his
chair unmoved. A heart-broken wifes
was, sobbing On his bosom, strong
men sobbcd, but the man to be hang
ed seemed an unintcrested spectator
of the absorbing scene of which hei
was the central figure. For fall44s
five minutes he sat there without the.
least perceptible twitch of q muscle..n
There was no bravado in this eompo-o
sure it was the calmness of resigna.
ton. At the close of the ,religlons
exercises the two stood up, and for
the last time she embraced her husal
band, kissed him passionately, and
with "Good-bye, Walter" stepped
back and fell into the arms of the good
Christian ladies who were there TO reli
ceivc her. The last words Of the uh-
happy man were teryent prayer for
mercy and for heavenly aid to thisi
! poor. wife. Atthe sherifi's she anw
the ), remains Of, her husband in his
coffin, and kissing his lips and afg
ranging the hair, turned away with q,
look of woe'and said, 81 cam cry no
more; Ihave no more tears. Cod
have, mercy On me and my little
4 baby."l tr. @ 2tAi epltjeri
An hour later the cofIln was on an
east-bound train, accompanied by Tie.
wife. AT Richland, bleak station
seven miles fro.p point, 'it was
deposited on the barren ground, and
as the train moved on only one otlieri
! person besides the widow was in
charge. The face that broken-heart.
cd woman turned up to the occupants
of the passing tram, most Of whom
had seen the hanging, will haunt
many in their dreams. at>+ DaG
81 never knew fashionable ,wo,,
man who didn't think more. of a fool
than of ap upright, sensible man,
says Talmage. sr.a