Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-09
VOTES AT A HANGING.
Former Illinois Candidate Scores q
Point Before u ScnfOld.
Wash. Cor. Chicago Tribune.

Point Before u Scnfold.
wash. Cor Chicago Tribune
Representative Hit told a good story IL
Illustrative of early times In Illinois when
candidates for state offices took advantage
of every opportunity to present their claims
before the voters of that state.
This particular incident" said Mr.. Hit,
occurred during the administration Of my
father as sheriff of his county. There had
been a dispute. probably of a political char
acter, between couple of shoemakers and
one of them IVES cut SO badly with knife
that death resulted from his injuries. After
a lengthy trial his slayer was convicted and
sentenced to be hanged on a certain day.
This occasion was seized upon by num-
Der of the country people to make holi-
day, and excursions were organized to go
to the county seat for the purpose of wit
Messing the execution. A knowledge OF
this fact was conveyed to the governor OF
Illinois. who was candidate for renomina-
ton. He thought this would be good op-
portunity for him to make his appearance
as well as speech before the crowd. set
ting forth his claims for denomination.
Meanwhile a movement had been inau-
rurated looking to the reprieve of the con-
demned man and petitions were in circula-
ton throughout the crowd. when the gov
ernor was escorted to a stand which had
been erected not far from the scaffoid.
Preparations for the execution were go
ing dnedus anu prisoner was sitting
with his clerical adviser not far from the
scaffold. Without wasting any time the
governor proceeded to enlighten his au-
dience on every conceivable topic which he
thought would tend to his advantage. but
he made no reference whatever to the prep
ardtions for the execution, which were
going On in his presence.
His attention, however, was invited par
ticularly to the scene by an occurrence at
the foot of the steps leading up to the stand
from which he was speaking. A couple of
rust1cS evidently just married. and on their
wedding journey, were among the most in
terested of the governors audience. While
listening with open-mouthed establishment
to the pearls of wisdom falling from the
mouth of the great man above them the
who was circulating the reprieve petition
When 1t was made known to the country
man that his signature was wanted to the
paper to be presented to the governor he
felt highly honored at such a distinction
and was about to do as requested. when his
wife tugge1 at his arm and said: John
don't think I would sign that paper. Just
think how far we have come to see this
man hung. If you put your name to that
document there will be no hanging, and it
will be such disappointment!
This speech was plainly audible to the
governor, and it recalled him to his sur
roundinss. for he made a great hit by an
nouncing from the platform the reprieye
of the poor wretch who was quaking in
bodily fear only few feet distant from the
spot where he was standing. So the anx-
iety OF the bride to witness an execution
undoubtedly had its effect in securing the
object for which petitions had been circu-
lated throughout the crowd"