Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1895-10-08
ANDREW ]. scott,
Wffs Murderer, Pays the Penalty Of
His Crime Upos. the Gallons.

Andrew j. Scott, colored, convict
ed and condemned to death at the
last May term of the jefferson circuit
court for the murder of his wife,
Elizabeth NJ. Scott, by poison, was
exc cuted in the Jail yard at this place
last Friday.
The execution being private, the
crowd of persons assembled in town
was not large on the contrary, rather
small.
Scott had early in the week con-
fessed administering the poison, but,
as he claimed, not with intent TO kill.
He afterwards made his peace with
his God, being, as those in contact
with him believe, thoroughly con-
verified.
The condemned man passed the
night before his execution comforta-
bly,, conyersing and having the bible
read to him until midnight, when he
partook of something to eat and laid
down to sleep. He arose about FIVE
O'Clock, called to the other prisoners
in the Jail and gave them cheerful
morning greeting. About seven he
ate a light breakfast, and after break
fast gave goodbye to his
fellow pri soners, his parting with
Robt, Mcdowell, colored, (under
CHI arge of arson, and with the possi-
bility of like penalty,) being at
tended with wholesome advice to Nc
Dowell and affecting him very much.
The suggestion that stimulant would
be given him if desired, to brace him
up for the trying ordeal before him,
met with prompt declination, Scott
saving that he did not believe it
would be right for him to take it.
About 1890 O'Clock the prisoners
spiritual advisers were admitted to
the cell, and held religious services.
Rev. w. P. Chrisman of the Epis-
copal church and Rev. James Robin
son, Rev. G. G. wainwright, Rev.
Perry Walker, G. w. Powell and wife
and Cap. Thomas were present. The
hymn Z" heard the voice of Jesus
say" was sung, after which prayer
was offered. A farewell hymn. (" In
thy cleft, o, Rock of Ages" was
then sung low and softly, giving a
touching effect. The prisoner kneel-
ed and participated audibly in the
prayer, and also Joined in the sing
ing. At the conclusion of the SER
vices the final goodbye was given
and the sheriff notified that the con-
demned man was ready.
The scaffold was erected in the
northeast corner of the Jail yard, i'm
mediately in rear of the prison por-
ton of the building and directly in
front of the rear door, through which
the prisoner passed to the gallows.
The east side and south end were
curtained around with cotton, pre-
venting a public view in those di-
rections.
The pri soner, who exhibited re-
markable calmness and composure
throughout, was escorted to the scat
fold at 11:07 by Sheriff Eugene
Baker, and Deputies w. A. Morgan
and S. G. Young. The two latter
adjusted the straps on his legs, CHS
arms having been previously pinioned
in the Jail, Sheriff Baker placed the
moose upon his neck and put the
black cap upon his head, and Col.
Morgan stood in rear and held the
rope preparatory to the pulling Of
the drop. AT IL :09 the trap was
sprung by Sheriff Baker. The drop
was about six feet, and although death
was by strangulation there was no re-
pulsiye struggle whatever. At 1882
the body, under direction of Drs. C..
t. Richardson and VIM. Neill, was
let down and placed in plain pine
coffin. and afterwards taken to the
County Infirmary for interment.
This was the first execution in JEFF
ferson since the hanging of Stevens
and Hazlett, the last of the John
Brown party, on the 10Th of March,
1860. Everything passed off as
smoothly as possible, entirely void of
any of the extremely narrowing fea-
lures which sometimes attend such
solemn occasions. Messrs, Harris |
C. Leonard, clerk at q. S. Jail in
Washington, and Mr.. Chas. L.
Bovee, assistant at said jail, who have
had experience in connection with the
hanging of Snyder and other crimi-
nails in that city, were here and gave
valuable assistance in the prepara-
tions for the execution.