The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-10-30

NioViiNiiie' ocl. ZO.-I. l.. Waugh
au, on trial for alleged immortality
during his term as superintendent of
the odd Fellows Home here, was put
on the stand by his lawyers today and
made a clean confession of his awful
crime.
The trial was brought to a sensa-
tonai close when Vaughan broke
down and confessed all. He named
two other victims in addition to those
included in the indictment. The Jury
was out but four minutes and made
no recommendation for mercy, the
verdict carrying the death penalty.
Tears streamed down the face of
Judge Purdy, named by Governor
Blease as special Judge for this trial.
Many jurors. court officials and spec
tators alike made no pretence Of hid
ing their tears as Vaughan, pale and
broken. acknowledged his crime.
Some jurors wept aloud.
fore sentencing Vaughan, overruled a
molten for a new trial, which was ar
gued by one of Vaughan's lawyers.
after his client made his confession.
Judge Purdy in sentencing Vaughan
to death in the electric chair, set De-
cember 20 as the date for his execu-
ton.
When court opened there was no in
timation that the accused would make
a confession. His attorney had fought
stubbornly since the beginning of the
case to break down the strong evil
dence developed by the prosecutions
little girl witness.
Immediately after court opened to-
day attorneys for both sides consulted.
resulting in an agreement to let
Vaughan confess in an effort to save
his own life, and that the case would
go to the jury without argument.
Il have acted devilishly, have ac-
ted shamelessly," began Vaughan.
THE devil tempted me and have fall
len He pleaded eloquently but vain
ly with the jury to save his life.
Vaughan begged the jury to spare his
life, not so much for his sake as for
his wife and little daughter.
Neither Mrs. Vaughan nor her
daughter were in court today, though
they had been with the accused since
the trial opened. He was formerly
assistant superintendent of the First
Baptist Church sunday school, one
or the largest and most fashionable in
this city. He was n ministerial stu
dent and frequently occupied pulpits
of churches in and around Greenville.
He owns considerable property.
Facing the jury, Vaughan made his
confession. In all. his statement
makes three thousand words Briefly
summarized it is as follows:
Gentlemen, it is useless to say that
in this instance l am greatly humili-
ated, and for months and months !
have had agonizing hours over the
whole matter. i wish to say this in
the outset, that l have never wished
to conceal one whit Of the truth when
the time came To make n clear state
ment. | have been so cautious in these
particulars that some have inferred
that l had denied my guilt I know
that some have had that impression,
but knew that l was guilty and would
tell ii at the proper time. For that
reason l have made impressions that
were unfaVorable to me.
II want to say here and now that
am going To assume full responsible
ity. | want to take it off Of that girl.
want to say that have loved the
girl always, but that love has been
misdirected and misused. | don't think
the girl will deny today the reality
of my love in many respects, yet my
conduct towards her would make her
take the position towards me which
she now takes and justly takes.
"As superintendent Of the Orphan
age, ! had entire control OF her.
realize that now. l did not at the
time realize just what / was doing.
! do now. i did it under circumstances
about which / would not care to go
into details here. At the very point |
thought myself the strongest | found
myself the weakest. l found that the
Devil had attacked me with a more
subtle and powerful temptation in the
very place | thought | could not be
tempted. | cannot now go into the
details Of the circumstances surround
ing me when | fell, and | now assume
g. III 81. al