The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-02-17

the desire to purchase small supply
of eatables, as they had been out al
day in their boat, and were very hun
cry. Mr.. Bull would have thought
nothing strange of this request nor o.
their coming at that late hour, al
such things were of frequent occur
renee, but there was something in tht
actions of the two men that aroused
his suspicious. They were nervou!
and excited, and seemed in a grea
hurry. They could not wait for Mr.
Bull to wrap up the articles No soon
er were they gone than it fsshed up
on him who they were. He had reae
the description of Fisher in the Gov
ernors proclamation, and it talliee
with one of the men exactly. Hastily
closing his store he set out to stealth
lily fellow them. The pursuit led hin
to Whist was then known as William
wharf. There he saw the men con
ceal themselves under a boat. Mr.
Bull quickly withdrew and hasteneC
to notify the city guard. In less thar
half hour Fisher and Roberts were
again under arrest. 1t was afterward!
disclosed that they were waiting TO,
midnight so as the better to make tht
attempt toward assisting Mrs. Fisher
to escape. They had been over to one
of the neighboring islands, but hac
returned for this very purpose, and
for no other. As soon as Mrs. Fisher
| was free, they had intended to leave
| in a schooner bound for Matanzas. a
number of gold pieces and several
watches We're found on their persons,
Both criminals were completely un
nerved by their recapture. But nc
one took it harder than did Mrs
Fisher herself All hope of escape
seemed now utterly cut off, for the
jailer, annoyed by the accusations
that had been made, redoubled his
vigilance; they were also more closely
confined.
SENTENCED TO BE HANGED.
On January 18, 1920, the Fishers
were again brought to trial. The
charges were so grave and the evil
dence so overwhelming that both
were sentenced to be hanged. The
Judge-the papers does not state def
nitely as to whether it was Judge Col
cock or Judge Bay-fxed the time fol
the execution for Friday, February
4. Both husband and wife we're com
pletely overcome by the termination
of the trial. They had almost to be
carried back to the jail. Great con
Germ was now felt for them spiritual
ly by the different ministers of the
city and other humane people. They
were daily visited at the jail by both
men and women, who earnestly
sought TO prepare them for eternity.
Among the latter were Mrs. Matilda
Wightman, mother of Bishop Wight
man, Mrs. Magdalene Brown, Miss
Selma Smith and a grandmother oi
the writer. It is through this grand
mother that much with reference to
the last days of the Fishers, especially
of Mrs. Fisher, has come down. She
was then a happy young bride, and
the condition Of the miserable woman
so great in its contrast, mads an i'm
preston never to bs forgotten.
Fisher seemed penitsnt from the
first and deeply concerned about his
soul, but not so his wife. She was
reckless and defiant, again and again
upbraiding her husband for his
chicken heart" She seemed more
concerned about a petition for pardon
than anything else, although receiv
ing repeated assurance that any effort
of this kind would be utterly useless.
The fated day drew near the wretched
beings were so untitled to meet it tina,
special petition was made the Cover
nor, praying a stay of sentence tlll
time could he given tbem in which
to make preparation to meet thell
God" This petition was signed by
numerous clergymen and many citi
zens. Governor Gsddes granted q re-
spite till Friday, February 1S. When
that day carne he refused to further
interfere, despite the frantic appeals
of the condemned themselves, and the
sheriff began preparations for the ex
ecution Of the awful sentence OF the
law.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF CLERGYMEN.
During their last days the Fishers
were confined in the dungeon OF the
Jail. Here the ministers and othel
good men and women continued tc
visit them up to the very last hour
One of the most faithful was the Rev
DIR. Furman, pastor of the First Bap
tist Church. 1 saw his grave the
other day, just under the shadow o1
that historic building. He stood by
the miserable pair through everything
went with them in the carriage tc
their execution, and received Fishers
dying messages and his last requests
Another faithful one was the Rev
Mr.. Galluchat, of the Methodis1
Church. He was particularly con
cerned with reference to Mrs. Fischer
he and Mother Wightman, as she was
afterwards called, working and pray
ing over her to the last.
Fisher expressed thorough repen
tance for his sins, but declared his in
nocence of the awful crimes laid to
his charge. He admitted that he hao
led a wicked life, but declared he was
not a criminal. His peace having
been made with God, he implored his
wife to do the same. She would not.
To not one word of religious instruc
ton would she listen. She expected
to live, she declared, then why should
she prepare for death9
MRS. FISHER SHRIEKED.
When the hour for the execution
arrived and they went to conduct the
criminals from their cells, Mrs. Fls'
her shrieked and raved like one in