Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-06-19

A thrilling sensation was prohuceu OH INC
spectators, BY the display of this ghast'y OBJ
iect. and the Kisses and hootings OF part OF
the mob were vehemently renewed.
The head was then placed at the foot OF
the coffin, while the body, before lifted up
10 bring the neck on the block, was forced
lower down. and, this done, the head was a.
gain taken out and put in his proper place.
al the upper end Of the coffin, which was
left open.
The block was then moved by the hang
man and placed at the head of the second
coffin. The cap and rope were removed
from the face and neck of Tidd. The same.
liyil hue which overspread the counte nance
Of ThistIewood, was perceptible. Inc coat
and waistcoat being pulled down, the mask
ed executioner again came forward. ne
was received with groans and cries OF shoot
the murderer bring out Edwards &c.
He seemed less disconnected than at first,
and performed the operation With great eX-
pedition, and having handed the head to the
person who had before received that of
Thistlewood, he retired. The assistant exc
cutioner then advanced 10 the side Of the
scafold from which the former head was
first exhibited, exclaimiog, "This ia the head
of Richard Tidd, the traitor"
The block was now removed to the third
coffin, and the body OF lpgs being cut down,
was placed in it with the face upwards.
The person 10 the mask again care forward,
severed the head from the body, and retired
amidst the hootings Of the crowd. The as
sistant executioneF. proceeded to exhibit the
head from the three sides of the scafold, ex-
claiming, " his is the head OF James lngs,
the trai'or!!' The head was then placed in
the coffin. The features of lngs were more
distorted than those of the other culPrits.
The block being removed to the fourth
coffin, the body of Davidson was taken down
from the gallows, and the cap removed from
the face.-His face remained in death, ex.
actly what it had been while he lived. The
mouth was a little open, but no expression
Of agony or change Of color could be remark
ed. The body was placed in the fourth cot
fin, and The man in the mask having perform
ed bis part, the head was exhibited as the O.
theirs had been, with the exclamation, I" this
is the head of William Davidson, the trail
tor" Little or no blood had fallen from the
other heads, but from this it fell prolusely.-
The Kisses and groans of the crowd were
repeated on this occasion, while the head
was deposited in the coffin, which contained
the sufferers body.
The executioner and his assistant now
proceeded 10 cut down the last OF the suffer
rers-Brunt. He was placed in the fifth
coffin. His counenance presented ghast-
~ spectacle while he was alive; but dead,
its aspect was little less than terrific, and the
dark hair which overhung bis forehead came
it frightful contrast with the purple hue pro-
duced by the agonies Of death. The mask
ed executioner, while performing his duty,
happened to let the head fall from his hands
10 the sawdust, the howlings and groans OF
the spectators were again heard at that mo-
ment, and amidst these the operator retired,
having first handed the discolored " trunk
less ball." to the assistant eXecutoner, who
advancing az in each OF the other cases, FIRST
to the side OF the scaiold nearest TO Giltspur
street, then 10 the front, and lastly to the
side looking towards the felon's door, pro-
claimed aloud, "This is the head of John
Thomas Brunl, the traitor" His bead was
then placed in the coffin, and thus terminated
the awful business Of this memorable day.
The execution occupied an hour and eight
minutes.
The person who wore the mask, and who
performed the REGULATIONS, is the same per-
son who beheaded Despard and his associ-
ates. In performing his dreadful duty, the
edge was turned by the veriebra Of Thistle
wood, and two others became necessary to
enable him to finish his heart appalling task.
The co6ins containing the remains of the
sufferers were left on the scafold but for
few minutes alter the sentence of the law
had been carried into eject. While there,
they continued open. At g O'Clock they
were conveyed into the prison by the debtors
door, and the crowd began peaceably TO Sc
parate.