The Portland daily press., 1896-11-27
DEVEREUX.

Down in Alabama they tell strange
story about man who succeeded in cheat
ing the gallows by a clever ruse AS be
lived respectable life afterward, and some
of his children are still living, his real
name is not given. We will call him
Devereux.
William Devereux was rising young
lawyer of good family, married to an ac-
complished wife and possessed of 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 certain
kind. Deyereux became member of a
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 a
sort Of system of robbing Peter to pay
Paul and to meet his obligations as they
natured. 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 the old fashioned times when
there were no railroads, no telegraph, no
means Of travel save over ill kept roads,
generally on horseback. It 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 Nd been collected in their
districts on behalf of the state and the nec-
essary papers and vouchers and have an
annual settlement for the years receipts
and disbursements.
Now, at the time when Devereux's af-
fairs were most desperate, his own county
treasurer started out on horseback with
the state money, large sum, in pair of
eaddlebags, 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 a
roadside tavern, occupying the same room.
Next morning the treasurer was found
dead in bed, his throat cut from ear to ear
His companion had disappeared, and the
saddlebags, with their contents, were also
missing The countryside was aroused,
bloodhounds were brought out, and fierce
chase of some hours resulted in Devereux
being run down and captured. There was
No question but that he had been the muir
dered 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
OeVereuZs home town, there was tre-
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 ex-
erted IN his behalf, the best lawyers were
employed, and every effort was made to
free him from the consequences Of his aw-
ful crime, all without avail. He was
tried, found guilty and sentenced to be
hanged. The higher courts decided against
him on appeal. The governor refused to
interfere ard DeveFeux occupied cell in
the jail at the little town of St. Stephens,
closely guarded, within q few days of the
date appointed for his execution, with all
prospect Of escape seemingly cut off.
In spite of the enormity Of his crime
there began to be great deal Of sympathy
for the man who lay in Jail awaiting death.
His youth, his handsome face, his grace
full, dignified bearing, his calm courage,
his perfect manner and his Unfailing per-
sistence IN the declaration Of his innocence,
all combined to produce this effest. He
expressed no animosity toward witnesses,
judge, jury or prosecutor, simply stating
that he was an unfortunate victim of re-
ularkable circumstances, from which he
could blame no one for drawing 6he mis-
taken inference of his guilt.
The sheriff who guarded him was of the
number of those thus impressed, and in
his secret heart deeply sorrowed at the
prospect Of his sad duty, although he re-
Taxed not at all in vigilance and the adop-
tion of every precaution to prevent es-
cape.
To this officer the prisoner frequently
expressed the firm belief that he would not
be hanged. He assured him that, how
ever, he had no idea of escape, other than
by some divine intervention which would
establish hi1 innocence and point out the
guilty man.
Not many days before the one fatal day
the sheriff found the prisoner visibly agi-
Jated and il an excited state, noticeably
different from his usual calmness In an
swer to the officers question as to the rea-
son Devereux gave the following explana-
ton:
~ have had." he said, "a most extraor-
binary experience. 1t came to me last
night in the form of dream, SO real, dis
tinct and different from the usual hazy
di1nness of ordinary visions that 1 believe
it to be the prelnonition of an actual event
cannot rid myself of this impression. I
expect it may seem foolish to you or the
result Of the broodings and half waking
iInaginings of a man in my condition, but
nevertheless I will tell it to you.
"Last night l dreamed | was standing
on the scafold facing thousands of people.
The scene was as real TO me as the actual
ity itself. [ had spoken few words of
farewell and was about 30 resign myself 20
your hands when suddenly by the exercise