The Warwickshire Herald. — 1887-06-09 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

SAVED AT THE GALLOWS.  THE story of the reprieve of a Tatnall County murderer the other day, told in the New York World, is full of dramatic incidents. The man, whose name is Leggett, was under sentence of death for the murder of his wife. He was to have been hanged on Friday morning. Reidsville, the county seat. where the hanging was to have tak-n place, is 44 miles from the railroad. When, therefore, Leggett,'s attorney, William Clifton, of Savannah, received on the Thursday before the hanging a delayed package from Reidsville signed by doctors and officials, declaring that Leggett was undoubtedly insane, he had to act quickly to save him from the hangman He telegraphed to Governor Gordon, only to find that the governor was on a train going to Macon Other telegrams awaited the governor in Macon, which be answered by ordering Leggett's reprieve. On Thursday mcrning early the order respiring Leggett until June 17 was drawn up and signed al a private house in Macon, the necessary blanks having been taken to Macon for that purpwe. Then a telegram was first sent to the sheriff of Tatliall County ordering him to suspend the execution, and stating that the official order was on it way. The telegram to Reidsville was sent to Johnson's Stati 111 l on the Savannah, Florida and Western Railroad, and from there had to be taken by messenger about fort% mile + across the country to its destinatio^. As a double precaution Col. Clifton was telegraphed at Savannah to proceed to Reidsville at once arid delver the order in person. No train left Savannah bef,re evening. Col. Clifton answered that he would take that train for Reidsville, and would get there in time if such a thing were i,ossible.  The first twenty miles of his journey was through the swamps and lowlands of Liberty County, and the remaining 20 miles in Tatnall County lay throne h dense pine woods. Advices just received tell the story of his eventful ride. Armed with the Governor's reprieve, the lawyer's work was only begun. Takii.g the midnight train for Walthamville, Mr. Clifton reached that station about 4 a.m. From there he had to cross through 44 miles of swamp and sand before noon to save his client's neck. He secured two fine horses and a light carriage and started out at a full gallop. Meanwhile the country people began to pour into Reidsville. It was the first hanging in 50 years, and people came in all directions. They climbed up into trees, on housetops, and wherever a vie could be had. 'fhe murderer made preparations for death, and had no idea that any corre.pondence h been held with the Governor. At I() o'clock the preacher called upon him, with whom be prayed, and to whom he made tall confession of the crime. At 11.10 the Sheriff appeared, and the march to the gallows, 110 yards away, was begun. Th. murderer ascended with a firm step, his feet and arms were bound, the black cap wa.. adjusted, and the Sheriff was in the at of cutting the rope, when a voice meg out, " For God's sake, stop l" The Sheriff looked up and saw the approaching carriage, its occupant gest.culating fratiticslly. It was Mr. Clifton, who had appeared only just in the nick of time.  It was ten minutes before the prisoner could be convinced that he had not made the fatal plunge. He was (lazed completvly. When he did realise that he was still living his prayers of gratitude were profuse. It was about the closest call ever Mall had.