The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-02-17


number OF gold pieces and several
watches were found on their persons
Both criminals were completely un-
nerved By their recapture. But no
one took it harder than did Mrs
Fisher herself. All hope os escape
seemed now utterly cut off, Tor the
jaiier. annoyed by the accusations
that had been made, redoubled his
vigilance; they were also more closely
confined.
SENTENCED TO BE HANGED.
On January IS, 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 hange >. The
Judge-tbe papers does not sta!1 def,
nitely as to whether it was Judge Col
cock or Judge Bay-Gxed the time for
the execution for Friday, February
I. Both husband and wife were COM
pletely overcome by the termination
of the trial. They had almost to be
carried back to the Jail. Great con
cern 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 grandmother OF
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 happy young bride, and
the condition of the miserable woman
so great in its contrast, made an i'm
preston never to be forgotten.
Fisher seemed penitent from the
first and deeply concerned about his
soul, bat 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 unified to meet it that
special petition was made the Cover.
nor, praying stay of sentence till
time could be given them in which
to make preparation to meet their
God." This petition was signed by
numerous clergymen and many ci,i-
zens. Governor Geddes granted re-
spite till Friday, February IS. When
that day came 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.
lnNIsTRA1IoNs OF CLERGYMEN.
During their last days the Fishers
were confined in the dungeon Of the
Jail. Here the ministers and other
good men and women continued to
visit them up to the very last hour.
One of the most faithful was the Rev.
DR.. Furman, pastor of the First Bap
tist Church. l saw his grave the
other day, just under the shadow Of
that historic building. He stood by
the miserable pair through everything,
went with them in the carriage to
their execution, and received Fishers
dying messages and his last requests.
Another faithful one was the Rev.
Mr.. Galluchat, of the Methodist
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 had
led 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 death?
MRS. FISHER SERIEKED.
When the hour for the execution
arrived and they went to conduct the
criminals from their cells, Mrs. FIs.
her shrieked and rayed like one in
sane, and fought with the strength OF
desperation. It was some time ere
they could remove her. Her husband
sought to soothe her. He took her in
his arms, his agony was pitiful to see.
He entreated, implored her to be calm
and to employ what little time remain
ed in making preparation for the end.
He endeavored to show her that it
must be, and that all her efforts
could not prevent it. She returned
his embrace, but made no answer.
The executioner again approached,
and again her frantic shrieks burst
forth. She had to be forcibly pin
ioned ere she could be removed.
Fisher and his wife were clothed
in white garments provided at their
own expense. The carriage started
from the Jail at II As. The prisoners
were guarded by the sheriff, his assis-
tants. and also by a detachment Of
cavalry. All along the route an lm-
mense concourse had gathered, for it
was an unusual sight to see woman
led to execution. The procession
moved out Meeting street to spot
just beyond the city limits. As Fis-
her beheld the gallows on which
they were to die he turned deathly
white, AID seemed 10 faint. Not so
his wife. She looked at it stolidly,
her mood having changed since she
left the prison. When they attempt
ed to make her 60 up, she positively
refused. Neither persuasions nor
threats could avail.
DRAGGED TO THE GALLOWS.
She could not believe she was to
die. She had literally to be dragged
up the gallows steps. From an eye
witness, Mr.. John Blake White, we
have this vivid pen-picture of that aw-
full moment: ''She called upon the
multitude to rescue her, and stretched
forth her trembling arms, imploring
pity. At one moment she would rant
ond b1ocnbouoa on1 Stamo on9 rave