The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1906-08-10
The Murderer Went to His Death
Without Flincbing.
WAS VERY PENITENT.
Under the Gallews the Doomed Man
Read a Statement Comic sslng His
Many Crimes and Ended With
a Warning to Yong

AU nine minutes p&Sb el6VSu oiooh
Friday morning, In the Charleston
jeil yard, William A. Marcus was
banged for the brutal murder OF
Maggie Marous. on the night OF April
IA, and nine minutes after wards he
was pronounced dead by Drs. Belljn-
ger and Edwards. His body lies In
st. Laurence cemetery, where IT was
buried Friday afternoon.
Marcus faced death with remarks
BILE f%ortitude, and his ca'mness up to
the very moment when the ketch was
sprung WA that Of q brave soldier
rather than such "a might be expect
ed from the cowardly murderer that
he undoubtedly was. The execution
itself was most orderly and successfu'.
Father p. l.. DUFFY accompanied
Marcus under the eallo%s and read
for him the prayers for the dying aud
the dead. Marcus responded to the
last and died fully COZ fdent that his
sins we're forgiven and that by the
grace of God he would be saved.
Early Friday morning Father Duf
fy paid Marcus q visit IN MS cell, p
as his spiritual advisor celebrated
mass and offered prayers for the con
demned man. Their Holy Commun
ion was brought Marcus In his cell,
which he rec lived most devoutly.
Marcus ate his laat meal at about 8
O'Clock, after the departure OF the
priest. He had an ordinary break
fast, having expressed no particular
wish as to what he should be served
with. This meal was sent In to him
:. by the Star Gospel Mission. Follow
! ing the meal came q smoke and a
turn about the cell.
Father Duffy returned to the jail
o little after 8 O'Clock and remained
with Marcus in prayer and medita-
tion until Sheriff Martin appeared to
read the death warrant and the death
march began. 1t was about 10. 30
O'Clock when Sheriff Martin went to
the condemned murderer's cell to read
the death warrant.
II wish tolthapk the .cfilcers OF this
institution, " said Marcus, for the at
;tention and kindness which they have
bestowed upon me Mr.. Sheriff Martin,
Deputy Sheriff Poulno6, Capt. Grad
dick, Mr.. Rice and Others" This was
all that Marcus had to say. When ask,
ed by q reporter for The Evening Post
IL he wished to send a last message tc
his wife and children he conferred
with Father Duffy, who replied that
this had alreaoy been done by letter
the day before.
The march to the gallows was then
taken up Straight under the gallows
Marcus marched, and wheeled around
to face the spectators. His features
did not move His eyes was steady.
Sheriff Martin then asked that hats
be removed and perfect quiet be CIV
en while MSrous read his final state.
ment before the black cap was put
over bis head. Marcus read In a clear
voice and without o hault the follow
ing:
II go to my death truly penitent
for my grievous sins against Almighty
God, the author OF life; for my viola
tion Of the laws OF this State, eanact
ed for the protection and peace Of 80
ciety, and for the II jury done all those
who have suffered through my unlaW.
full acts and beg their forgiveness.
' Il have sought pardon for nay sins
through the means instituted by our
Blessed Saviour In his divine mercy to
sinners and die hoping for forgiveness
through the infinite merits Of His
death upon the cross.
Looking backward today to the
happy home Of my youth and the
good and loving parents from whtm l
\ waywardly wandered, 1 would say to
2 young men who may hear OF my fate:
Remember thy Creator In the days OF
thy YOUTH and to the Christian char
ity of these and others l appeal to
pray to God to have mercy on my
soul"
After Marcus finished reading M
unnecessary time was lost for the
fatal signal. Sheriff Martin was be.
You'd Marcus, and 1t was his duty tC
give the word for the execution,
without q motion Marcus waited fol
the jerk. Suddenly, noiselessly
Clearly, tho body Of the man left the
tround. 1t rose smoothly into the
air toward the cross beam OF the gal
lows. Then 1T dropped q few feet
back near the ground. 1t was ther
nine minutes past eleven O'Clock. Thu
return jar was followed by a slight
crack, which broke Marcus' neck. Hi'
body was then taken down and In
tered.