Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1883-09-27
Selected Story.
FOUR TIWES HANGED.
rFrom the Phila. Press.

From the Phla. i'resS.
Captain George Burton, command
er of the steamship British Prince
which sailed a short time ago from
this port to England, states a marvel,
ous story of II man he met shortly be-
fore leaving Liverpool on his last
voyage, The Captains acquaintance
had realized the sensation Of being
suspended by the neck on no less
than four different occasions. His
first hanging was by accident, his
next was for murder; the third at.
tack on his windpipe was made by
Judge Lynch, while the fourth was i
personal attempt to end his life
But the man, said Captain Burton
was cut down in each instance, com.
paratively uniniured, and he is now
firmly convinced there can never be
a gallows high enough or rope
strong enough to hang him. met
him on the docks at Liverpool. He
was leaning against the ratings of the
pier, looking at All Allen Line steam
er and, noticing my gaze fall in the
same direction, he spoke to me, and
said he was going in the Alien Line
to America. and asked me about the
safety of ocean steamers. assured
him, Of fcoursc, of his perfect safety,
unless providence willcd it otherwise.
WELL he remarked, it is not that !
am afraid of anything much, but
something tells me | shall drown
some day, and | just want to post,
pone that event as long as possible
The tone and manner of the man s
speech attracted my particular atten-
tion,' continued the captain, 1 took
stock of his appearances, lie was a
tall, sinawy looking fellow, dressed
in suit Of pilot cloth, with peaked
cap pulled f,II over his ears. Thick
mpustache and beard covecel the
lower part of his face and his eyes
pcercd almost lierceIv beneath shag
" eyebrows. He did not look lik.
a man easily unncrvel. | told him
| was master Of one of the clippers Ill
the dock, and began to draw him IN
to conversation, and finally induced
him to take lunch with me on board
my own ship, where over glass OF
crog he told ME his strange history
He led up to it by really convincing
me that he had dread OF crossing
the water. | will try and relate his
story in his own words.
THE MI CHI HANGED NAN sNARRATIvE
i cannot tell you, skipper, he be-
Gan, the horror and fear ! have OF
the SEA cant help it; otherwise
there is nothing that God, man or
devil can produce of which | am
afraid and he brought down his fist
with emphasis on the table at which
he was sitting. Born to be hung
never be drowned born to be drown
ed, never to be hung. | shall be
drowned some day. can never
hang.
You speak of hanging remark
ed, 'as though you were familiar with
the sensation, Mr.
Watts sir, Watts is my Maine
Jesse Watts-leastways that is the
name by which | care to be called
for the present sail tomorrow for
Colorado, where they say there Is
plenty of work for man who cares
to dig for silver-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 IN a living
man, l have been hangel four times
Three times | danced my senses away
on thin air and the other time | was
saved lust as the bolt was about to
be drawn to break my neck. Still,
as the cap was over my head and the
parson had SAID, Lord, receive his
spirit should say that's as near
hanging as most people would wish
to 90, so calls it four times. 1t was
my first hanging which gave me my
terror of the sea, and yet have cross
ed it since three times. Give me Il
chew OF 'bacca.
4 sent steward for piece OF
honeytew,' said the Captain, and
Watts sat :o- \ few minutes chewing