Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1819-03-30
From the Edinburgh COurant Of Dec. 81.

lnal ever tOok pidtC III hiS SJ
shall not at present enter on the question
as to the precaution which might have
been taken to insure the due execution OF
1.-The awful sentence Of the law, but simply
detail the horrible transactions OF yester-
Iday, as far as they fell under our own OBJ
lservauons.
| The unfortunate man was convicted AMI
sentenced to die for robbing Mr.. Charles,
candle-maser; his two accoulplices, Gal
loway and Lee, were sentenced, the Tor
mer to fourteen, aud the latter 10 seven
years transportation.
| Daylight yesterday, exhibited the new
apparatus for the melancholy catastrophe,
/ The place fixed upon was before the
northwest window on the west side OF the
New North Church, few yards from the
Hish-street Numerous groups OF poo
ple continued to assemble about the ia,a.
spot, to examine the dreadful preparation.
and as the hour approached the crowd was
very great.
The unhappy criminal walked from the
Lookup house TO the scatfold, which he
assembled with a firm step, at 20 minutes
before three O'Clock. After spending a
quarter of an hour in prayer, he shook
hands with the Reverend Gentleman who
attended HIM, ard mounted the platform
with fortitude.
The executioner occupying longer
time in adjusting the rope than appeared
to a great part of the spectators 10 be Ne
cessary, much disapprobation Was ex-
pressed; the platform sunk about minute
before three. Unfortunately the rope was
too long, or the height IRON the scaffold
10 the beam from which the sufferer was
insufficient /; in consequence OF
one or other OF these causes, or both, bis
toes rested on the floor of the scaffold.
Just at that moment, policeman in trout
resisting the encToachment OF the crowd,
pushed one with his baton, who cried out
Murder!" i is probable those al DIS
tance imagined the exclamation TO be oc
casioned by the pitiable situation OF john
ston, and therefore joined IN it. Stones
began TO A. towards the scaffoid, loi
which, unluckily, the state of the ground
afforded an ample supply ADD the magis-
trates and their attendants were compelled
to make precipitate retreat. II was
we'll for the execu,ioner that he escaped
at the same time, for al such moment the
consequences to him must have been fatal.
The mob continued to throw stones, some
of which struck the unhappy object OF
punishment. add others the church win
dows. At five minutes past three, per
son very deliberately stepped from the
crowd Oh the High-street, leaped on the
scaffoId with knife ready open, distin-
guisbable from its brightness, Cor. as wei
have been Informed, surgical instrument
taken from case on the instantly cut the
rope, aud with seeming nuconcern, re-
turned 10 the crowd The body fell with
the head to the front Of the scaffold-aI
sight narrowing to the feelings of all pos
sessed of the least sensibility.
Missiles still continued TO fly, chiefly
directed against the windows Of the
church, almost every pane of which were
destroyed. One large stone struck the
inanimate head of Johnston heavy blow.
A lame person, with crutch, next climb
ed the scaffold, and then a general rush
took place. The body was raised up,
and the rope unloosed, with which the
lame man exultingly descended; the cap
was taken off and thrown among the
crowd--st the same moment cheer was
given by those around the body, meaning,
it is supposed, to announce that life re-
NAMED, which was received by loud
cIapping. The coffin, light in its maize
rails, was thrown among the crowd, and
in less than a minute broken to atoms.-
The body was then borne off in the direc-
ton Of the Lawu-market; Baiiie Pattison,
who was proceeding to the Castle, pro-
tected by strong body OF the Police, to
obtain the aid of the military force, caus-
ed the bearers of the body to change their
course, and they wheeled about and ar
rived almost unperceived on the opposite
side Of the street to the Police Office,
evidently without knowing what to do
with it; here, on being attacked by the
Police Officers, they dropped the body,
Invested of clothes from the waist up
wards 10 the process of carrying, the
most appalling sight Of the whole, which
was then taken into the Police Office.
A detachment Of the 88th regiment ar
rived soon after, followed by another
headed by Major Graham, which were
posted across The Lawn-msrket at the well,
and in similar manner from the High
Church to the Exchange.
Various reports were current about the
state Of the unfortunate man as to his re-
animation; however, he was again carried
10 the drop, and at five minutes before
four O'Clock was launched into eternity.
The military remained until the whole
annarafue ,yao rau,nvad and We are haD-