Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1882-10-17

GU " ne uuly fepenH. DeheNe NOu nH
given me full pardon. believe my aunt
was christian and that / will meet her in
Heaven. ] have been accused Of killing
Sid Vaughn, but am not guilty Of that
crime. ! am also accused Of trying TO rob
Randall Belts, but am not guilty Of that
either. always tried to live honestly and
the murder Of aunt Betsy is the only crime
| ever committed say this in view Of
immediate death and IL is all true.
w. NJ. AUSTIN
This vas signed in his own hand, and
when asked why he had not made the con-
fession before, he replied 81 was hoping
for a reprieve from the Governor, but /
have made peace with my Savior and do
not wish one now" He had stubbornly up
to II o'clock denied his guilt, and at o as
sured his counsel, Mr.. b. NJ. Burdett, that
he was not guilty. The ministers named
plead with him 10 confess his sins before
men and read to him the Sid Psalm, the Sd
verse Of which seemed especially to cheer
him, and he at once expressed hope Of
salvation. lie told us as he stood at his
cell door as calmly a. a man ever talked,
while smoking with evident relish a cigar
given him by John FArris, that he felt
much better since making the confession
and was sure that the Lord had forgiven
his sins; that whisky had been bis ruin and
] ,,..,oI .v..v koJv 40 akun 70
From the first he has been calm and col
lected, and only once since his return TO
Lancaster has he shown any signs Of emo
ton, and then on yesterday afternoon when
his brother Robert bid him goodbye. He
burst into a food Of tears and exclaimed
aloud, Lord have mercy on me-" His
father and mother, fearing they could not
stand the trying ordeal, did not visit him
but he sent them afIectionate remembrance
His last night on earth was spent with
his friends ill II o'clock, when he retired
and soon fell into deep sleep from which
he had to be awakened this morning by his
guards. lie got Up when told to do so,
dressed himself in a neat suit Of black and
ate very hearty breakfast. Then calling
for pencil and paper he wrote to his broth
tr George a very afectionate letter OF
warning which we will give in our regular
edition Tuesday. A great many Of his old
acquaintance. including a number Of
young ladies, called afterwards to tell him
good bye. He received them kindly and
through his grated door shook hands with
them all. Through all this he showed no
signs Of fear and looked upon the gallows
from his window with more unconcern than
his visitors.
LETTER TO HIS BROTHER GEORGE.
LANCASTER JAN, Oct. l3.-Dear Brother;
| write you a few lines, my time is short. |
have abetter home to go to. feel happy.
| tell you. shun all bad company, and new
err drink spirituous liquors, for my sake
ask il. You know whisky has caused me
to come TO the gallows, and caused people
To think hard Of me. have been wild and
desperate, and feel like am going to a
home Of rest, aud will be in my Savior's
arms before the sun sets this day. hope
to meet you in heaven. Change your
course, dear brother, and be ready to meet
me in the better land. Don't entertain any
grudge against any body about my trial
Tell father and mother good bye, and
leave you in Gods hands, and bid you q
final fsrewell Your affectionate brother,
w. NJ. AUSTIN.
When the town clock struck twelve, h'
remarked with sigh of relief, "Prais'
the Lord, but one hour for me on THU
earth" At l2:45 the ministers, at his re
quest, prayed and sung the Coronation
song with him and at LOS Sheriff Higgin
botham and guard we're announced. HI
went directly to the cell and opening i
said, "Bill, I'll read you the authority
under which | am acting" "All right
said he, and he listened to the reading o
the death warrant as composedly as II i
bore the best Of news. Once when thu
Sheriff could not make out a word he ben
over to assist The reading through, the
MARCH TO THE GALLONS
begun, striving at which Austin ran light!
up the steps, turning to smile at a man, VIII
had unintentionslly knocked his hat partl!
off, On the gallows Rev, Lowber read tn
5lst Psalm and Rev. Peoples prayed mos
touching prayer, as he held his arm aroun'
the condemned man, who, with him. wa
on bis knees.
The rain was falling in torrents, an
Sheriff Higginbotham sheltered the poo
man as best he could with an umbrella
Rev. Mr., Moore pronounced the final word
Of the service, and then Austin, with tn
! utmost calmness and self-possession ad
!. dressed the vast crowd, giving the confe'
sion as written, and exhorting every bod
to shun whisky and evil companions, so q
10 meet him in heaven. lie said his sin
bad been forgiven; he had forgiven ever
a body, and this evening he would be In n
!. presence Of hir Mister.
j lie had never committed any crime 5I
: this, though many had been laid at b
! door. He knew that il was terrible mu
! der and he willingly gave his life for ii an
, hoped his enemies would be satisfied. ii
? speech Was we'll delivered and his gestur'
4 were those Of a regular speaker lie clos
with an exhortalion and bowing TO Il
II crowd ON every side, babe them last far
Il well. lie then shook hands with those {