Will Purvis, who cheated death: the wonderful story of one condemned man (6 photos)

It's no secret that the justice system is far from perfect. And sometimes innocent people end up behind bars. But this story with a happy ending really makes you believe in a miracle.





On a typical summer day in 1893, a Mississippi jury was trying a routine case. A young guy, Will Purvis, was accused of killing a neighbor, which occurred as a result of a spontaneous quarrel.



21-year-old Will did not deny the quarrel, but he vehemently denied the murder. But he had no witnesses or evidence. Just unfounded allegations.

The verdict turned out to be predictable - the jury found guilty, and the judge decided - death by hanging. When the convict was taken out of the courtroom, he turned around and loudly declared: “I will outlive you all!” But who cares about the threats of a nervous doom?



On February 7 of the following year, the criminal set out on his final journey - to the scaffold. A lot of people gathered to watch the execution. Most people sympathized with Will, because they knew the guy on the good side and doubted his guilt.

At the sheriff's signal, the release hatch doors opened. But the lucky man’s neck did not break - providence intervened, and the knot on the thick rope strangely came undone.

The executioner tied the noose. But the crowd was already worried: look, this is a sign, higher powers spared Will, this is divine providence! Someone started the prayer, the rest took it up. The sheriff realized that he could easily lose control of the situation and took the convict to the cell.



Will Purvis

Purvis's lawyers appealed three times. But the Supreme Court was little interested in God's providence and upheld the verdict. Attempt number two was scheduled for December 12, 1895. But it was not possible to carry out the sentence: friends organized an escape and hid Will with reliable people for a whole year.

Just at this time the governor changed. And under pressure from the public, who came out in support of Will, he replaced the death sentence with life imprisonment. But only on condition that the convicted person surrenders to the authorities.



Willie and his wife Sarah, 1902

Purvis accepted the offer. And the governor’s reception room was flooded with letters. People demanded the man's release. Moreover, there was no evidence of guilt, and providence itself intervened. Under pressure, he agreed. And Will was released.

But what about the killer? 22 years later, his identity was revealed. A certain Joseph Beard was dying and, wanting to ease his soul and repent of his sins before his death, in the presence of witnesses he confirmed that he had committed the murder of which Purvis was accused.



Commemorative plaque at Will's execution site, Columbia, Missouri

And Will, whose honest name was restored with the help of the confession of the real killer, the intervention of higher powers, the help of friends and the support of the public, lived to an old age and died on October 13, 1938. Exactly three days after the last of the jurors who declared him guilty passed away.