The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1883-09-21
HANGED FOUR TIMES.
The Unusual Experiences of a Man Whose
Neck was BADLY Abused.


Watts, sir, Watts, is my name-Jesse
Watts, leastways that is the name by
which | care to be called for the present.
l sail to. morrow for Colorado. where
they say there is plenty of work for a
lnan who cares to dig for silyer-and
know what mine is and what miners
life is like but you spoke something
about the sensation Of hanging. Now,
look here, sir. AS sure as Pm living
man, have been hanged four times.
Three times danced my senses away on
thin air, aud the other time l was saved
just as the bolt was about to be drawn
back to break my neck. Still, as the cap
was over My head and the parson had
said Lord, receive bis spirit" l should
say that's about as near hanging as most
people would wish to go, 80 / calls il
four times. was born in the town of
Falmouth, Cornwall. My father was
silk maker, doing fair business. The
Cornish coast abounds in rocky cliffs,
where thousands of guls build their
nests. often used to go egg. hunting
with my boy friends. We used TO fix a
stick in a knot of rope snme twenty feet
long Oae end would hu fastened no.
curely to stake in the ground and then
we used TO let ourselves slowly down over
the cliff and swing backward and for.
ward, seated on tt.e stirk. aiapg The face
of the rocks, frig htened the old birds
away and Gil cur wallets With eggs. Ore
morning l started out alone with my
coil of rope. Iexpected to find some
comrades by the shore, but none were
there. However, thinking they would
arrive, let myself down, not on the
seat, as usual, but with the rope in a
slip.knot beneath my shoulders. Di.
rectly my full weight was in the moose, it
began to tighten to an uncomfortable ex.
tent, 80 placed my foot against q small
ridge and began to loosen the strain.
FIRST AND SECOND HANGING.
got one arm out and was gradually
putting the rope over my body 80 as to
sit in the moose, when dozen gulls flew
out and began to attack me. My foot
slipped from its hold as the rope closed
rapidly round my neck. had time to
place my right hand to my cheek, an act
which saved my life, tor, although the
pain was severe, could breathe. /
shouted for help, but no help was near.
Finally the agony Was 30 great that with
an effort of despair freed my hand and
suftocated. l recovered consciousness
to find myself on my back in fishing
tent with two men bending over me. Ii
seems they had discovered my dilemma
and were drawing me up within half
minute after the rope closed round my
neck.
When I recovered my health 1 be.
came wild and dissipated, and, although
l managed to remain on friendly terms
with my father for the next five years, l
was regarded in my native town as
quarrelsome fellow, foremost in every
row and ready to get drunk whenever 1
had chance. One night in a general
row, l killed one Of my pot.house COM
panions with blow on the head, deliv-
cred with heavy pewter vessel. was
arrested, tried and condemned to be
hanged. The day arrived for my execu-
ton: My hands were pinioned, took
my last look, as I supposed, at the sun,
felt the white cap drawn over my face,
and begged tho haDgmaa t0 Duii the bolt
when l arrived at the supplication in the
Lords prayer, Forgive my trespasses."
had hardly finished the first words of
entreaty, TO Heaven when loud tumult
fell on my ears, and the word ERE
prieve Z" was shouted from mouth to
mouth. The next moment was unbound
and the royal message Of mercy read to
me. The death penalty was commuted
to ten years penal servitude.
THE THIRD HANGING.
Never mind how passed the next ten
years. Finally / vas once more q free
man. Ny poor old father gave me
E200 and his blessing and l shipped for
the Cape of Good Hope and the di-
amona fields. arrived az Tho fields, snd,
in partnership with an acquaintance /
made, / purchased claim for Ei5O. For
a month we found next to nothing, then
success crowned our work and within six
months of leaving England / was worth
$4,000. returned to Cape Town, but
could not make up my mind to cross the
ocean home, 30 took rooms at crack
hotel and began to enjoy myself. Those
who fin fortune easily spend freely; in
short time gambling and drink left me
with just enough cash to return to the
fields. This time had no money to buy
q claim, so had to work for q percent
age. Luck favored me, and again was
the possessor of several hundreds, suffi-
cient to join company of ten in the
purchase of large claim.
There was an old Dntchman who had
a daughter, handsome girl, the only
young woman for hundreds of miles.
The Dutchman did not approve of my
attentions to his daughter, and the way
in which she favored me aroused the
Jealousy of my companions. The
Dutchman determined TO get rid Of me.
One day he accused me Of robbiug him,
and certainly package Of loose stones,
belonging to him, we're found in my coat
pocket. had been talking to Gretchen
and lad thrown off my coat because of
the heat, and the Dutchman placed the
plant on me. There is not much Justice
In mining camp AS said, was dis.
liked because of Gretchen's preferences,
and my partners, no doubt, were willing
to have my share Of the claim to divide
among them 30 was tried and con-
demned to be hanged in less than an
hour of the old mans accusation, by
lynch jury. was allowed two hours to
prepare for death, and then taken to the
nearest tree, where rope was placed
around my neck and was jerked by
dozen willing hands into the air. But
before strangulation ensued fell to the
ground with a thump. Gretchen had
not been idle. Her entreaties brought
an opposition crowd Of diggers to my
assistance. The tide turned 10 my favor,
and I believe the old villain would have
been burned in bis shanty, but for my
intercession and bis daughters tears.
Gretchen Tilted me, nevertheless, shortly
afterward, and, as had next to no luck