Eureka weekly sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1887-1902, 1890-06-28
THEY SWING OFF qlGEfHER.
AN ELK0 HUSBAND AND WIFE
DIE ON ruE sCAFFoLD.

1--WE Are Innocent. No Help Me
God"-An Affecting scene ON the
GsIIows.
The sun rose bright and clear on Friday,
June Goth. the most eventual day in the
history Of Elko, being the day fixed for
the execution Of Josiah and Elizabeth
Potts.
Wednesday night, the 18th, Mrs. Potts
attempted 10 commit suicide. As usual,
she went TO her couch. The desth-wstch,
noticing her rspping upon her cell and
her husband answering BY the same
means, became suspicious and watched
Potts through the lstticed door, thinking
he was about to try to do away with him
self. After watching at his cell some
time. he heard Mrs. Potts call for water.
Her voice was so weak that 10 alarmed
him. He called the jailer, and they dis
covered that she had made three incisions
with q penknife In her left wrist. The
blood was spouting from the artery and
she was very weak.
A doctor was called and her life was
saved, TO meet o more awful doom. A
sharp knife was found in Potts's posses
sion, and only the vigilance OF the DEATH
watch prevented Sis following Mrs.
Potts's example. After the womsn's at
tempted suicide. she became resigned to
her fate.
The prisoners passed Thursday night
quietly, the man having apparently slept
we'll throughout the night, but the woman
was restless until 8 O'Clock in the morning,
when she, too, fell asleep and passed
several hours in slumber.
After partaking Of q light breakfast, the
condemned appeared more cheerful than
the day previous, and at about7 O'Clock be.
gan TO dress and make final preparations
for their doom.
10 reply TO q question by Sheriff Bar
nard, Mrs. Potts said she would walk
firmly to the scsffold and submit quietly to
the inevitable. At exactly 1890 the officers
appeared at the cell door with 9 flask OF
spirits, but stood back to give time for Q
short prayer by Rev. Porter.
Then 9 little spirits we're administered
-" a v SAa AK dC0tn WhLNhuh IdAus
She stood erect. but he leaned forward
with an inquiring look. Mrs. Potts was
very weak. aud stood by supporting her.
self on the door while her death warrant
was being read. This, she said. was not
from fright. but from loss Of blood. Mrs.
Potts raised her right hand aud said:
Innocent, go help me Godi"
We are innocent" said Potts also.
Have you anything to say2" asked the
Sheriff.
That's ell we have to say"
Potts started with Mr.. Dawley, and
Mrs. Potts and Sheriff Barnard followed.
With steady tread both mounted the steps
OF the scaffold and took seats In chairs
just back Of the trap door.
Mrs. Potts was dressed in white with
black bows at the throat. Potts WAS at
tired In a business suit. Mr.. Porter, the
went on the gallows with them.
hinohed as their arms and legs
were strapped. Mrs. Potts's shoes were
taken of, and also Potts's slippers. They
took QUE last look at the bright sun above
them and then were ready.
Have you anything to ssy?" was
again asked them.
"No, we are innocent" was the reply, |
several times. During the
process OF %strapping Mr.. Potts remained
but Mrs. Potts uttered . few words
directing how II was to be done.
They shook hands with the officers and
minister, and thanked them for all their
kindness. They were then told to raise,
just then Mr.. Potts said family,
80 Good by" and at the same time nudged
Mrs. Potts with his pinioned hand. They
shook hands, kissed s~ffectionately as the
were being adjusted. They we're
by the minister TO look to Christ,
he said. ~nervously and with
emphasis, Lord, have mercy on me-"
and she, LORD, have mercy on my SOUL"
These word were repeated several times IS
the black caps we're drawn over their faces.
They then stood up and the ropes were
placed around their necks, and at 10:43
Sheriff Barnard cut the string that
held the irsp-door springs.
Potts fell six feet and his wife five and
one half. Mrs. Potts never shrugged or
turned around. her neck was broken
and blood streamed down the front Of the
white dress. The head was almost served
from the body. Her pulse never beat after
she fell. Potts was pronounced dead at
1888.
At IL :07 the body OF Mrs. Potts was cut
down and delivered to the undertakers. |
and at 1i:27 the body Of Potts was taken
down.
The crime for which they we're executed
was the murder Of Miles Faucet In Jan.
uary, 1883.