The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1821-05-23
.w : 7
ADiSceiianp.
From the Salem Register Of the l2rh inst.
KXECUTION OF CLARK.

EXECU llON OF I1shkh.
The public execution of Stephen Merrill
CLARK took place in this town on Thursday
LAST, and surely Q scene more solemn, in
uessiye and affecting never Yves exhibited in
This Commonwealth. Il is impossible ID
give adequate expression TO the deep and aw.
fui feelings 20 which the memorable ,ransac.
tions of thst day gave birth.
At an early hour tho place Of execolion
wa literally surrounded by anxious multi.
tudes, waiting tho arriysl OF tho fatal mo-
Inenr that was to consign one OF their fellow
mortaIs to an unIimely grave their eyes now
6xed od the instrument oi death before them,
and oow turned in that direction whore the
funeral escort OF the unhappy criminal was
expected TO sppoar in sight. Soon the
rnourn nfui procession met their view, and was
seen slowly winding its way TO the fatal spot,
preceded and accompanied by additional mul-
tiiudes of spectators, and AT about halt pas.
ono, II halted Just without the urea on which
The gaIlows sfood. In few moments tho
pescc oficers commanded 40 opening TO be
pnsao through the crowd. and the young and
idtesestipg object OF universal attention and
com,ni ration was led into The spacc--but
q how chsnged from that sturdy, robust and
apparently unconce,Oed youth, who, bu, a
few weeks before, was convicted and scptenc-
cd 10 suffer Jea,h.--Thsn his coun,ensnce
w., Il ,shed and ruddy with the glow OF
health, his eye was quick and animated, his
nerves Unshskcn by the array end chcam
s,anco uI Judicial proceedings, sod his whole
franc was Gsm aud strong--Now, a ghas,Iy
palencss covered his face, his eye wos Ian.
guid and declined to Garth, his aspect bespoke
an Inward gtief and agony tina, could not be
uttered, apd as the Rev. CIereymen support.
ed his feeble steps toward the scsfFod, hi.
very soul sppecred to quake at the tcrro,s of
the law that surrounded him.
Iir was conducted up the FIRST flight OF
Steps, 10 the principal !loos aud here the ar
ooy Of his spirits almost overpowered his
strength, and he was Gear fain,inr, but was
in soms measure revived by the kind and as,
siduous attentions al those about him, and he
leaned updn his Spii,usl Guides while the
high Sheriff rcad the warrah, foT mis- cxcru-
tion. A profound and solemn silence reign
ed throughout the vast multitude OF specta.
tofs, whose countenanccs were marked by
the feelings Of thc deepest ineres', AND who
remeined uncovered dueing 'be residue of
the tragic scene. The Rev Mr. Cornelius
then read tho dying words Of the hap'css
youth, and the Rev. NJ, CarliIe addressed
tho throne Of Heavenly mercy IN his behalf /;
after which the attendants joined in prayer
with tho prisoner a,ooe. This service being
etJed, tho Rev. Cicrgymen took heir last
effoctionNc leave of their charge, spd left
h,u 10 the hands Of the Executive Officers,
The tender solici,udc mapifes.ed towagds the
unhappy sufferer by The humane and wosthy
Sheriff ii The C6hn,y, vas tcarcely less ,han
that which marked the conduct Of his Cleri
Cal friends, and when he assembled the sccood
Aght Of Steps, and took his stand upon his
las' support, the sympMhies and pity of the
boKolders wee raised 10 the hignesi phcb,
and when his bosom and neck was bar edsnd
he mssky inclined his head TO enable Mr..
Blown 10 adjust the fa,al cord, and subo,is-
sivciy placed himself in the position most
coo, enient for tho dreadful purpose tor
which he was brought there, the feelings of
the multitude could 90 lonscs DO suppressed,
and mingled sighs and groans we're heard in
ovsry direction. These preparations were
5000 finished, and a,a signal from the High
Sheslff, the spring was touched, and Clark
was, IN . moment, launched into c,crni,y -
Thus died stephen Metiiil Clak, aged II
yesrs--cu, of in tho morning Of his life, for
q heinous offence, and mada public exam
pie OF the 'errible retribetioDs OF the present
world, and hold up as an awiui warming to all
gu vivots, aad especially 90 young persons, TO
shun tho paths of'sice. May tho earning
not be- lost