The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1883-01-19


THE HANGING OF ARTHUR PREsToN.-Sherif
parations for the hanging of Arthur Preston,
colored, and before this weeks 1Egis reaches
Its subscribers the unhappy man will have paid
the penalty of his crime with his life. Preston
realizes his condition and while he manifests
the deepest contrition, he talks calmly of his
approaching end. He is visited daily by Rev.
James B. Craighill, rector of Emmanuel Pro-
testant Episcopal Church, Bel Air, and also by
Rev. Samuel Brown, ofthe coored NJ. E Church,
of this place.
On Thursday Rev. Mr.. Craighll administered
the Holy Communion to him. On the same
day his counsel, Hon. Herman Stump, took him
some delicacies and babe him goodbye. Preston,
with tears in his eyes, thanked Mr.. Stump for his
kindness to him. The sounds of the carpenters
hatchets, as they were at work on the scafIold,
could be distinctly heard in the prisoners cell,
but they apparently caused him no uneasiness.
Deputy Sheriff James V. Whiteford has had
charge of Preston for several days past, and at
the prisoners request has refused to admit any
one to see him except his spiritual advisers and
several intimate friends On Wednesday he ex-
pressed desire TO see Mr.. Abel ID. Wilson, on
whose fathers farm, near Forest Hil he was
born. Mr. Wilson accordingly went to see him.
The scatfold was completed on Thursday
1t is erected on the northwest side of the jail
and is surrounded by high board fence, enclos-
ing space 10 by 30 feet. The scatiold Itself is
about eight feet square, the platform being eight
feet from the ground, and the beam to which
the rope is attached eight feet above the plat
FORM The grating has been removed from a
window on the first floor of the Jail, from which
snort flight of steps leads to the platform of
the scaffod
No one will be allowed access to the Jail yard
during the execution, and only the number of
witnesses required by law will be admitted to
the enclosure. The execution will take place
about noon Preston requested that his body
should be buried beside his father, at Hcndon's
Hill, and Sheriff Whiteford will comply with
his wish.
The crime for which Preston was sentenced to
death was most brutal one. He had been in.
innate with young colorcd woman, named
Mary Dorsey, who left him on account of his
cruelty. Several weeks afterwards, on the
nSnt ol INC lltn ol hpTli, 1857 Preston met her
on the street in Bel Air, and compelled her to
go tohis room with him. He kept her there all
night, and about o'clock the next morning
the neghbors were aroused by screams which
the young woman uttered as Preston was crush,
| ing in her head with an axe. The screams ceas.
| ed, Preston came out OF the room, locked the
door, went to the Jail and surrendered himself
10 the authorities. The case was removed to
| Towsontown courL, where Preston was convict.
ed ofmurder in the first degree, on the 10Th Of
October last, the jury remaining ont only ten
minutes States Attorney Maynadier, of Iar.
ford, States Attorney Mcintosh, of Baltimore
county, and Thomas II. Robinson, Esq, repre-.
scented the State. The accused was defended by
Hon. Herman Stump and Charles f. Fendall,
ESD
Preston is a stout, thick-set man, about q
years of age. He had a good reputation for in.
dustry, but was feared by those of his own col.
or, who regarded him as reckless person. Dur
ing his incarceration he has behaved himself
with the utmost prsprety