The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-02-27
Convicted of tho Murder Of viii.
inn McCausland, of Alic.
gheny City.
HANGING AT WAYNESBURG.
The Anticipated Attempt to
Rescue Him Did Not
Materinlizo.
Description Of the Execution OF the Sen.
ience-Clark's Lust lIours-Sccne
onthcScaiIold--Tiie Condemned
Man Declares his Innocence.
History OF the Crime.

Man DcclArcsl!s Innocence.
History OF the Crime.
Special DisFaith 10 thc Intaicencr.
WAySEsnuRd, Pa, Feb. 2G.-This
usually quiet town WINS quite alive with
excitement this morning, this being the
day set for the hanging OF George Clark,
one OF tho convicted murdcrers Of Will.
lam McCausland, tho Allegheny City
droveE In fact, ever since the murder.
ers oil the drover were arrested the
county has been kept in a state Of more
or less excitement on account OF the
prominence OF the men charged with
the murder and tho bitter feeling shown
against them by the people whenever
occasion has been offered them to show
it. This feeling was intensified by the
clearing OF James NcT at Washington.
Pa, who was indicted rs an accomplice
in the crime. 1t was owing to these
facts that some fear was entertained
that there would be trouble around the
jail to-day, for in spite OF the bitterness
Of many against Clark he had many
VAIN and influential friends in the town
and county.
10 look at Clark no one would tako
him for Il murderer. Flo was a hand
some, youthful looking man, OF pleasing
address, and NIL through the terrible
ordeal through which he passed not only
conducted himself in gentlemanly
manner, but stoutly maintained his in-
nocence through the trial, and gave it
further emphasis on the scaGold this
morning.
NO EFFORT TO RESCUE.
Many thought Clark innocent and an
effort was made 10 obtain respite for
him, on the ground that evidence had
been obtained which pointed to McCaus-
land having committed suicide. When
it was known that the Governor refused
to interfere, Clatk's friends were very
much depressed, and as naturally hap.
pens, some Of the indiscreet ones in
dulged ia good deal OF wild talk. This
caused sensational dispatches to be sent
out that troops would be called to guard
the jail for fear that an attempt would be
made to rescue the condemned MUIR
But outside of the excite.
ment and unusual stir that would natur.
ally attend an execution in country
town the rural simplicity OF the village
was maintained.
TIE EXECUTION. r
Clark retired early last night and
slept quite aoundly all night. lie rose
about Q o'clock this morning and ate a
hearty breakfast, consisting Of two eggs
and slice. Of ham and some fish. He
then took another sleep and did not get
up until 8 o'clock. at $3.50 lie took
some water and ate heartily OF some
cake aud pie, which the Sheria's wife
sent him: Shortly after that Rev. Max
well called and read q chapter in the
Bible and had prayer. Clark then
claimed that he was not guilty and
prayed earnestly that God would yet
make known the murderer OF William
McCausland.
The execution took place in the
space between the rear Of the Court
House and jail, about twenty feet
square, which was enclosed on three
sides by the walls OF the building, and
a board enclosure on the east, which
shut ont the hanging from public view.
A door, which has never been used,
leads from the Jail corridor to this space,
and through this the condemned man
to took his mournful way this morning.
Tho scatiold, which was built over n
year ago, occupied about one.fourth Of
the open space. .i
THE LAST SCENES. v
About 1880 o'clock those who were
favored with passes to the execution
passed into the space through the Sher-
ills house, about 2l5 in all, and there
anxionsly awaited the appearance Of the
solemn procession. They did not have
long to wait, for m unusual movement
IN the SheriI's Office warned the ASSEM-
ply that the doomed man was approach
ing,each step shortening his life so many
seconds. Sheriff Goodwin and Clark,
accompanied by four deputies and Rev.
H!r. Maxwell, appeared and assembled
the scailold. The Sheriff then adjusted
the pinions and fixed the rope.
~ When asked if he had anything to say,
Clark answered: " am Innocent
They then knelt and Mr.. Maxwell
offered prayer. They were just on the
scallold six minutes. Clark kissed all
On the scatlold and babe them goodbye.
lie estood firm 10 the last. The drop was
sprung at II o'clock. Clark dropped
heavily and his body seemed to hanr
perfectly still. Atll:30 Drs. Ullom and
Brock pronounced life extinct and the
body was cut down and turned over to
his friends. The county furnished the
collin in which the body was placed; it
vas plain but very respectable one.
On the lid was a plate on which was
engraved tho name George W. Clark. y
The body. was viewed by several thou
sand people who had surrounded the
Jail during the execution. 1t will be
TAKEN to Afasontown for interment. Rev
Maxwell and several others will accom-
pany it, aud the funeral sermon will bt
preached there tomorrow by Mr.. Max
well at the request Of Clark.
TIE CRIME. e
Tho crime for which Clark paid the
penalty on the sca1old to-day, was the
murder OF William Nc Causland, i, drover
o! Allegheny City, on, September 10
1857. On the morning which he wa
shot down, McCausland left the steamer
James G. Blaine at McCann's Ferry, il
Cumberland township. About q mill
from the spot, in a small ravine, he was
fired upon and tell dead. The ASSASSIN!
evidently thought him still alive ant
ll!ed again, the second bullet piercing
his hand, and oven afterwards fractured
: bis skull with stone. The body wa
robbed Of about 81, 200. McCauslant
aad been seen q few minutes before th!
murder. and the body was discovered
almost before the robbers and murderer
had completed their work. The seem
at tho murder is about 500 yards iron
FRANK Clark's house, Frank Clark an.
James AeG. were suspected and arrested
but Clark L proved an alibi. Thre