The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1906-08-10
The Murderer Went to His Death
Without FlinclIing.
WAS We RY, sP ENITENT.
Under the Gallews the Doomed Man
Read Statement Comic ssing Ills
Many Crimes aid Euded Win
Warning to You,g

AU ulUe minutes pdSu eloVSu uclooh
Friday morning, In the Oharlesto on
jail yard, William A. Marcus was
banged for the brutal murder OF
j, Maggie Marcus, on the night Of April
Ia, and nine minutes afterwards he
was pronounced dead by Drs. Belljn.
ger and Edwards. His body lies In
ST. Laurence cemetery, where II was
buried Friday afternoon.
Marcus faced death with remarka-
BILE fortitude, and his ca'mneBs up to
the very moment when the ketch was
sprung Wal that of brave soldier
rather than such as might be expect
ed from the cowardly murderer that
he undoubtedly was. The execution
itself was most orderly and successfui.
Father p. L. Duffy accompanied
Marcus under the pallows and read
for him the prayers f)r the dying and
the dead. Marcus responded to the
last and died fully COZ tident that his
sins were forgiven and that by the
grace of God he would be saved.
Early Friday morning Father Duf
fy paid Marcus o visit In MS cell, and
as his spiritual edviser celebrated
mass and offered prayers for the con
demned man. Then Holy Commun
ion was brought Marcus In his cell,
whtch he rec ived most devoutly.
Marcus ate bis last meal at about Q
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 o smoke and a
turn about the cell.
Father DUFFY returned to the jail
q little after 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 1880
O'Clock when Sheriff Martin went to
: the condemned murderer's cell to read
+ the death warrant.
IT wish TO thank the .cfiicers OF this
inBtitution, said Marcus, for the at
tention and kindness which they have
bestowed upon me, Mr.. Sheriff Martin,
Deputy Sheriff PoulnOt, Capt. Grad
dick, MIR. Rice and Others" This was
all that Marcus had to say. When ask
ed by reporter for The Evening Post
IL he wished to send q last message tt
his wife and children he conferred
with Father Duffy, who replied thai
this had alreaoy been done by letter
the day before.
The march to the gallows was ther
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 Marcus read his final state
ment before the black cap was put
over bis head. Marcus read In a clea,
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 homo Of my youth and the
good and loving parents from whom ]
, waywardly wandered, l would say tC
young mon 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 | appeal tt
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
yond Marcus, and 1t was his duty tt
give the word for the execution
Without motion Marcus waited fol
the jerk. Suddenly noiselessly
clesnly, the BODY of the man left th'
tround. 1t rose smoothly into tht
air toward the cross beam Of the gal
lows. Then 1T dropped few fee
back near the ground. 1t was theI
nine minutes past eleven O'Clock Thu
return jar was followed by sligh
crack, which broke Marcus neck. HI
body was then taken down and In
TERED.