Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-04-28
February Is.

February IS.
ETecutfon Of the murdererS, and most
dreadfuk accident.
Halloway and Haggcrty, for the murder OF
Steel and Elizabeth Godfrey, for the
murder of Prince.
The concourse of people that assembled
this morning to witness the execution of the
murderers was immense By six O'Clock
every house and avenue was crowded. At
tlve minutes past eight O'Clock they were
brought out from prison-Haggerty came
hrst-fialloway next, and Elizabeth God
trey, for the murder of Richard Prince,
last. Haggcrty was dressed IN a light CO.
iored great coat, such as are worn by SOL
dlers -Haiioway IN jacket. Haggerty
appeared deeply affected, and mounted the
scatfoid with an unsteady step and pale
countcnance. Holloway behaved with
much effrontery; seemed regardless of the
horrors of his situation, looked round him
with unconcern, surveyed the multitude
with as much Indifference as if he had been
one of the spectators, and bore no marks
on his countenance either of fear or contri-
iion-Haggerty seemed TO shrink from his
hardened associate. The poor woman
was deeply affected they were attended
by two clergymen, a Protestant and a Ro-
man Catholic, Haggerty being a Roman
Catholic. The Catholic priest prayed by
Haggcrty, who joined in fervent PRAYER.
The Protestant Clergyman prayed with
Elizabeth Godfrey; Haggerty refused to
JON. Almost as soon as they came upon
the scaifold, Holloway turned to the null
t'tude and said with a sound voice, gen
tlemen, / am innocent" This he repeated
three tines--he then spoke to Haggerty.
and said to him, according to the account
given by those who were nearest the scat
fold; Stake no notice Of the Clergyman"
Haggerty seemed to pay little attention to
him. Whilst the rope was fixing round
their necks, Holloway preserved his usual
efrontery: Haggerty trembled-thc coun-
tenance ofthe poor female assumed a death
like paleness, but there was on her fea-
lures mixture ofremorse and resignation.
Twice or thrice Holloway was invited to
pray-he invariably refused, and with a
look ofimpatience.
We have not heard whether either of the
men confessed their guilt, though it is re-
ported that IIaggerty did. About ten mi
nutes after they had been on the scaffJld,
the Clergymen descended--thc signal was
given aad they were launched into eterni-
ty. Haggerty struggled much for some mi
nutcs. Holloway scarcely moved-the suf-
ferings of the poor female seemed 10 be
short.
A most dreadful scene now took place
never, as we have already said, was there
such a crowd assembled to witness a pub
lie execution. Streets, lanes, houses, all
were crowded almost to sufIocation. After
the murdercrs had been hanging about FIVE
minutes, the pressure of the crowd above
the platform, and near the Skinner-street
side, was so great, that some persons in
the midst of the crowd, overcome BY ia
tigue, fell dOwn-to raise them was impos-
sibe-they we're instantly trampled on
others fell-to eXtricatc them was equally
mpossible-they we're trampled on also
Screams were heard from the poor suffer
ers, and from the persons who witnessed
the scene from the different windows help
was called for, but the crowd was so great,
that no person could penetrate it for some
time. About fifty persons in all were
tramplcd under foot, ten of them women
a considerable time elapsed before the con-
stables could clear the way; at length they
effected passage; On raising up the poor
sufferers, some were found with broken
limbs others with dreadful bruises some
were quite dead. 1t is said that six were
killed other persons state that thirty were