Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-10-10
ANDREW SCOTT HANGED.
The Murderer of His Wife Meets Death with
Composure-Fjrst Execution Since the War.

deaQ last frludy III The ydIu Ol the
Jail at Charlestown. The sentence of
the law was executed decently and in
order. The condemned man met his
dreadful fate with composure and APP
parent fearlessness. The crime for
which he paid such great penalty was
the murder of his wife by poison last
May.
The representative of the REGISTER
visited Scott in his cell in the Jail Fri
day morning couple of hours before
he was put to death. He was little
fellow, an inch or two over five feet in
height, slender in build, and very
black. His age is said to have been
about 81 years. He talked pleasantly
to those who were with him, and one
would not have thought from his man
ner that his death was so near. He
walked up and down his cell most Of
the time in restless way, and also
showed slight nervousness in other
ways. He was cheerful, however, and
in frame of mind that could only
have come from strong spiritual belief.
He said to the REGISTER reporter that
he was not afraid to die-that he had
gotten strength from above and that
"a higher power than any on earth was
keeping him up. He said he did not
fear anything that could be done to
him here, for he had made it all right
with his Master, who he knew would
take care of him. Jailer Young said
that for several days past Scott had
seemed a changed man and appeared
to have been thoroughly converted,
having apparently lost all fear and
anxiety. When DR.. Richardson asked
him if he desired a stimulant Scott
said no, that he didn't think it would
be right, and he would get strength
from heaven.
Scott slept soundly for several hours
during his last night upon earth, spend
ing a part of the time in talking with
the death watch and in praying, He
arose early and ate breakfast with his
usual relish. About 10 o'clock the
other prisoners in the jail were taken
to SCOTS cell to give him goodbye.
Some of them were visibly affected.
Bob Mcdowell, who is in jail for the al
legged burning of Sheriff Bakers house,
and who himself may meet with SCOTS
fate, bawled loudly as he parted for
ever from his fellow-prisoner.
At 1880 o clock the condemned man
was visited by his spiritual advisers,
Rev. Mr.. Chrisman, Of the Episcopal
Church, and Revs. Wainwright, Rob-
inson and Walker, three stalwart col
ored ministers. A few other persons
were in the cell and corridor adJoin-
ing. Rev. Mr.. Chrisman read pray
err, and then one of the colored minis
ters lined out the first two lines Of the
familiar hymn,
! heard the voice of Jesus say,
Come unto Ne and rest.
Taking up the melody in subdued
voices, the words were sung slowly and
impressively in the manner peculiar to
colored people. The minister lined
out the balance Of the verse,
Lay down. thou weary one, lay down
Thy head upon My breast.
The tune was taken up where it had
been left off, and the mournful meas
ure continued. So the entire hymn
was sung, the prisoner joining in the
singing, his manner being serious yet
not unhappy. 1t was an impressive
scene. The deep, rich voices of the
singers, soft and subdued, repeating
the words with solemn fervor as they
were lined out by the preacher, made
music Of melancholy sweetness. AT
ter the hymn selection from The
Scriptures was read, and at its conolu-
sion everyone knelt down as a colored
minister offered fervent prayer IN be-
half Of the prisoner. The condemned
man knelt at his cot with his face IN
his hands, softly droning TO himself a;
the preacher prayed. When the pray,
er had been finished another hymn
In thy cleft, o Rock of Ages,
Hide thou me,
the last act of the religious service
was lined out as before and softly sung
to the baritone and bass Of the men be-
ing added the quavering alto of col
ored woman who had been admitted t.
the cell. Her voice chorded strangely
sweet with the deeper tones OF the 9th
ers, breaking now and then with ex
cusable emotion. When the last verse
had been sung and the solemn echoes
died away the friends of the poor Grim
inal shook hands with him and salC
goodbye, one by one, silently retirin;
from the cell and leaving him alont