Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1890-06-22
!HE EZEgyvI!N.
Josiah and Ealatl Potts
Suffer the Penalty Of The
Law for Murder.
ScERES AND INCIDENTS OF
THEIR LAST M1MEHTS.

The sun rose bright and clear on
this Friday, June 20, 1890, the most
eventful cay in the history OF Elko
county, being ths day fixed for the
execution OF Josiah and Elizabeth
Potts. Although there were but few
people in town, outside Of representa-
tives of the press aud u fow Sheriffs
and ex-Sheritfs who wero invited to
witness the execution, an air of fever
ish excitement seoned to prevail.
The prisoners passed the night
quietly, tho nan having apparently
slept we'll throughout the night, but
the woman was restless until about 3
O'Clock this morning, whom she, too,
fell asleep and passed several hours
in deep slumber.
AT tho request OF the prisoners all
reporters were excluded, even Annie
Laurie, the lady representative of tho
Examiner, who came from San Fran
cisco for the express purpose OF inter
viewing Mrs. Potts, being denied adj
mission to the cell.
After ~partaking Of n light break
fast the condemned prisoners ap-
peared rloro cheerful han thoy were
yesterday, aud about I o'clock they
began to dress and make final prepa-
rations for their approaching doom.
In reply to n question by Sheriff
Barnard Mrs. Potts said she would
walk firmly to the scaffold and sub.
nit quietly to tho inevitable.
AT 1870 last night tho prisoners
sent for Rev. Porter who has been at
tending them. Mrs. Potts was in q
high state OF excitement and in great
mental strain. After n few minutes
talk she became calm. She was OK
horted to continually say Christ
whenever her mind was tortured. Mr..
Potts vas then visited in another cell.
Ito was not at all excited and said no
was trusting in Christ. IIo was also
exhorted to think the same great
name. They both lay down and were
still until morning, and gave tho
officers no trouble w~hateycr--the least
OF any night yet.
This morning thcy again sent for
Rcv. Porter who visited them at $50.
They were at the minister's request
put in mi cell. They both spoke of
the effect of tho speaking of tho name,
Christ, and profcssed hope in that
Name. They were very calm, save
that il feet shuflcd in the Office Mrs.
Potts would sway n little in her chair.
The minister again visited them mt
1918 and talked OF the hopo in Christ,
and exhortcd them to keep that npmo
on their lips rs thcy went to tho
execution. At exactly 1880 the
officers appeared ut the cell door with
n flask OF spirits but stood back 10
give tine for u short prayer by Rev.
Porter. Then a lite spirits was nd
minis:orcd. Mrs. Potts death war
rant was then rond. She stood erect
but he loaned forward with nm inquir-
ing look. Then sho sat down and Mr.
Dawley asking for water Mr.. Potts
offered him some from u tin cup.
Then his death warrant was read, sho
sitting down and taking sups of wstcr
the while.
Mrs. Potts raised her right hand,
md rising, said:
%"Innoccnt, SO help mo God"
I'VE are innocent said Potts also.
Have you anything to say?" asked
the Sheriff.
"That's all we can say; $40 aro in
nocent from first to last" said she,
and he agreed with her.
Another tonic wa given and thcn
Mr.. Potts started with Mr.. Daw.cy
and Mre. Potts and Shoriif Barnard
followed. Time loss.
There was a calm, straight walk to
tho top OF Tho gnjlowa
They then sat down on chairs pro.
yided for them there.
"Have you anything to sayf" wus
again asked them.
"No; wc arc innocent" was tho
reply repeated several limos.
Their shoes werc then taken of and
they were pinioned: che by Mr..
Dnwloy, liz by Mr.. barnard, assisted
by several from behind. During this
projects Mr., Potts remained silont but
mru, potts uttered n few wor1a iii.