The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-11-25
DEVEREUX.

story about a man who succeeded in cheat
ing the gallows by clever ruse. AS he
lived respectable life afterward, and some
of his children are still living, his real
name Is not given. We will call him
Dovereux.
William Devereux was rising young
lawyer Of good family, married to an ac-
complished wife and possessed of q large
number of admiring and devoted friends.
Indeed he was one Of those magnetic per-
sons having the fortunate faculty of MAX
ing strong and loyal friends of nearly all
who came In contact with him.
But In the town where he lived there
was considerable dissipation of q certain
kind. Deversux became member of q
choice circle of card players. He lost mon
ey of others with which he had been in
trusted For long time he managed to
keep this state Of affairs concealed by
sort of system Of robbing Peter to pay
Paul and to meet his obligations as they
matured. But period came when Will
liam Devereux realized that these things
could be concealed no longer, and the day
of exposure and disgrace came ever nearer
1t was IN tho old fashioned times when
there were no railroads, no telegraph no
means Of travel save over Ill kept roads,
generally on horseback. 1t was before the
day when drafts, bills Of exchange and
similar banking conveniences for facilitat-
ing money transfers had reached anything
like modern perfection and payments were
made at distance by sending the money
itself.
1t was also the custom of the various
county collectors and treasurers to make
yearly trips to the state capital, carrying
such moneys as had been collected in their
districts on behalf of the state and the nee
ossary papers and vouchers and have an
annual settlement for the years receipts
and disbursements
Now, at the time when Devereux's Of
fairs were most desperate, his own county
treasurer started out on horseback with
the state money, large sum, in pair of
saddlebags, to effect his annual account
ing
On the road he was Joined by fellow
traveller, who afterward was proved to be
Devereux. They put up one night at
roadside tavern, occupying the same room.
Next morning the treasurer was found
dead In bed, his throat cut from car to oar.
His companion had disappeared, and tho
saddlobags, with their contents, were also
missing The countryside was aroused,
bloodhounds were brought out, and n fierce
chase of some hours resulted in Devercux
being run down and captured There was
no question but that he had boon the mur-
dcred mans companion the night before,
but none Of the missing money or papers
was found upon him.
These were the facts in the case. When
the news passed from traveller to traveller
along the country roads and finally reached
Deyereux's home town, there was a ire
mendous sensation, further heightened
when the damning circumstances of his
business affairs came to light and made
clear the motive of the crime
Nevertheless many of his friends were
still loyal, strong family influence was OK
erted in his behalf, the best lawyers were
employed, and every effort was made to
free him from the consequences of his aw-
full crime, all without avail Ho was
tried, found guilty and sentenced to be
hanged. The higher courts decided against
him on appeal. The governor refused to
interfere and Devereux occupied cell in
tho Jail at the little town of ST. Stephens,
"
date appointed for his execution, with oil
prospect of escape seemingly cut Off
In spite of the enormity of his crime
there began to DO great deal of sympathy ,,
for the man who lay IN Jail awaiting death.
His youth, his handsome face, his grace
full, dignifed bearing, his calm courage,
his perfect manner and his unfailing per- !
sistonce in the declaration of his innocence,
oil combined to produce this effect. Ho |
no animosity toward witnesses, |
judge, jury or prosecutor, simply stating
that he was an unfortunate victim Of re-
circumstances, from which no
could blame no one for drawing tho mis-
taken inference of his guilt
Tho sheriff who guarded him was of tho
number of those thus impressed, and in
bis secret heart deeply sorrowed nt tho
prospect of his sad duty, although he re-
axed not at all In vigilance and tho adop-
lion of every procaution to prevent os-
,ape.
To this officer tho prisoner frequently
the firm belief that he would not
30 hanged He assured him that, how
'veri he had no idea Of escape ether than
~ some divine Intervention which would
establish his innocence and point out tho
guilty man.
Not many days before the one fatal day
,he sheriff found the prisoner visibly agi-
ated and In an excited state noticeably
litferent from his usual calmncss In nn-
wer to the officers question as to the rea-
on Devcreux gave the following explana-
ion:
II have had" he said, "a most extraor-
inary experience. 1t came to me last
light in the form of dream, so real, dis
met and different from tho usual hazy
imness Of ordinary visions that believe
+ to BIZ tho premonition of an actual event.
cannot rid myself of this impression 1
xpect 1t may seem foolish to you or the
esult of the broodings and half waking
of man in my condition, but
evortheless will tell 1t to you.
Last night I dreamed was standing
n the scaffold facing thousands of people
he scene was as real to me as the actual
y Itself. had spoken few words Of