Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1880-01-27
The last Interview Between the
Editor of the News and the
Condemned Man.
HORRIBLE SCENE WHEN
THE DROP FELL.
He Releases his arms, grasps the
rope above his head and tries
to save himself.
TOO LATE.
Dying statement and last words.
The strange = strange story of
DANIEL DEEM.

DANIEL DEEM.
Nothing which the NewS could pub
lish In this issue could so much interest
It's readers as the strange, strange story
of Daniel Deen, who was hanged on
Friday, December 10, 1879, at Estillvillc,
for the murder Of Fugatc.
propose to furnish the history Of the
case, with all the light which law and
Justice have been able to throw upon it,
and 10 detail the last sad scenes and
mournfully strange incidents which
form its last chapter, leaving still on the
public mind painful doubt, us to
whether the State, in dealing the delib-
crate blow to 0ycnge the murder Of one
of Its citizens may not have struck down
the one, Of whom 1t has been said that,
rather than punish II were better that
ninety-nine guilty should escape.
Though during the long period Of two
and half years of his trial, public
opinion has been strongly in favor of
the theory Of his guilt, yet, now that he
has stoutly and continuously asserted
his innocence, the public faith In the
value Of Clrcumslantia evidence has
been wnkencd.
Last Thursday afternoon | arrived at
Estillville, and scarcely more than
alighted at the hotel, when saw IN an
adjoining shop the scarcely finished cof-
lin for the condemned man. was much
grutitled by the assurance that the usual
brutality Of having him taken to the
gNllows on his coffin would he carefully
avoided. At7P. VI. through the kind
meas of the jailcr, MIR. Nottingham, Mrs.
Decn, who WAS in his cell, was iukcn TO
hls family room, 40 that could have n
private interview with Decn. ACCOM-
panied by Mr.. Samuel wax, entered
his cell and found him sitting IN his
chair, aud comparatively composed. lIo
had parted during the afternoon with
his four children, two girls and three
boys, whose Wges range from to q
yoars. stated TO him that, as n
member of the press, desired to know
II he had any last statement he wished
TO furnish the public, that all hope was
gone aud whether guilty or innocent
there was no power now to save him,
and If he had anything to communicate,
his wlehcs with regard to the time or
manner Of It's publication would be
strictly observed, For moment he was
silent,
TnE INTERVIEW.
EpwoR--Mr. Dcen, suppose you re-
alzo that all hope Is gomez
DEEN-(his eyes filling with tears and
voice weak and trcmulous.) ] have one
hope and blessed be God IL Is n glorious
one aud grows brighter every day.
ED.-Iiavc you nothing further you
would like made publlcS
DEN.-l have only TO say what |
have always said nm innocent,
Ep.--l think II possible to conceive,
Mr.. Dcon, how u man might kill his
tcllowman aud feel that perhaps he was
innocent Of amy crime. If man had
led long life Of honest toll endcavorlng
to make an honest living and fair name
for the benefit Of hia family, aud some
had man were about TO blight Nnd de-
molish his character leaving him and
family ruined IN the world, possibly he
might feel Justified IN taking last dcs-
peratc remedy, thinking that n bad man
had better die than inilct 80 much ruin
on an honest one. With some such view
IA this you may, for all I know, have
killed Fugatc. Did you DO itY
DEkS.--tWlth dcop omphaais) No slr,
It'd not
Ep.--Eo you then know who dldp '
DEEN.--I do not, God Knows,
Ep.--Do you know anything whatey-
er Of the killing Of Fugaic2
DtFN.--Notlhng IN the world,
ED.-Wherc were You at the tlmo of
the murderP
DKrN.--l was IN my own field ut my
daily labor.
ED,-Wns Fugatc n relative Of yours :
nrkS.---lle h my wile's nephew. Ills
father ls my wlrc's brother, and while
his father and | were unniendly, he and
! had talked over our trouble aud were
friendly.
ED.--ls II true TINT you filed The lock
NJ that gun, no that the gun would not
shoOtp
nErN. No I never did, II II was