Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-06-26
HUSBAND AND WIFE. N ANssD
A strange and Remark able Donb,
Execution Gn Eiko, Nevada,

Execution I'm EikO, Nevada.
ELko, NEv., June 2O..-Elko was in
state OF excitement to-day and peoplsI
poured into town 10 witness the execution
OF Josiah Potts and Elizabeth, bis wife, tOr
the murder OF Miles Fawcett In January
1888. Sixteen women applied to the sherifl
for permits to witness the execution, which
were refused. The conduct of Mrs. Potts
for the pact five days was an alienation Of
hysterioal crying, screaming and swearing
at her husband, who spent his time In hls
own cell at solitaire.
Owing to apprehensions OF trouble on
the part OF Mrs. Potts, the officials kept thu
hour OF execution secret. Yesterday morn.
ing at 5 o'clock tho woman attempted to
commit suicide, gashing her wrists and try.
ing to smother herself. The. vigilance OF
the death watch prevented further injury
but she tainted from loss OF blood. Both q
the Potts retired early last night In nsry,
GUS condition.
At 1880 O'Clock this morning the sheriff
read the death warrants to the condemned,
The reading Of tho warrants took place n.
the doorway OF the latticed cell whicG
Joaiah has occupied for 30 long period.
He stood In most respondent attitude,
with his head bowed down against the lrot
bars and never once during the readinI
did he lift his head or eyes. His vile stood
erect, clad In q muslin suit, drapsd 10
| DlhIk. Will u Edu LDb6 III pbE poulD6, phlh
but with most determined aspect In every
feature. During the reading OF her own
warrant only once did she show any emo
| ton whatever, and she convulsivel
clutched her throat when her husband
warrant was being read, and the word.
changed by the neck till you be dead" were
reached. She gave a hysteriosl gasp and
seemed to exhibit much feeling.
/ The reading Of the warrants was finished
at 10. 40 O'Clock, and both OF the condemned
emerged from the jail where they had beer
confined for 10 months and proceeded L
the yard between the court house and jail
in which the scaffold had been erected
During the reading OF the warrants, anl
evidently owing TO the intense nervou
strain on every one. the deputy sheriff wa
so overcome that he had to call for glas
OF water.
At the conclusion OF the reading Mrs
Potts earnestly calculated: II am innocen
and God knows IT." and Joseph Potts re
iterated God knows we are innocent.
The gloomy procession made Its wa
throug the side door, and with drawer!
unexpected by the spectators they seatet
themselves on the stools provided on th
scsffolc, while deputies speedily proceeds
to bind them with leather straps. Mrs. Pott
helped to adjust them herself, Potts sittin
In stolidtty.
When everything had been properly ad
iusted they were directed to rise. ALL OF tn
attendants shook hands with the cor
demned. As they stood after shaking hand
Potts made several endeavors to clasp th
hand OF his wife without accomplishing 1
Finally touch on her wrist caused her !
turn her eyes towards his, and the muI
appeal OF love caused their lips TO meet Il
brief moment. AS the rope was stretche
around Mrs. Potts neck she elapsed HI
hands toEelner and lifting her eyes towar
the ky, exclaimed: "God help me a
! innocent" Her husband reiterated, In
hollow tone, "dod knows we arc both Inn,
cent" AS the black caps were drawn ovt
their heads, shutting out the last light
| day. the words OF the clergymen who hi
remained with them to tho last, broke Il
lenee: Put your trust In God and 1
will SEQ you righted." and then the drc
, fell. Mrs. Potts was at once corps
owing to her heavy weight.