Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1823-03-13
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EXECUTION OF VIM. CRAwPoRD.

EXECUTION OF VIM. CRAWFORD.
At day light On Friday morning last
the Mainstreet appeared to be thronged
with strangers; the public houses, the
night before we're generally full. Near
ten o'clock, A Nj the street opposite the
courthouse, and the sheriff's office, was
literally packed full of spectators-at
half after 1 o'clock corps of military
formed a hollow square, opposite the
door of the sheriff's Office, into the
square thus formed, was brought sled,
drawn by span of horses-into the box
of the sled was then placed a coffin !; in
few minutes, William Craze ford,
the malefactor, made his appearance,
covered with a white muslin shroud,
white cap and black hat, supported
by a man by each arm; he was
seated in the sled along side of
his coffin, supported by MIR. John
Wolfe, who had made the coffin-the
attending clergymen, and physicians,
took post Immediately behind the sled
then the coroner, Mr.. Johnson, and
the deputy sheriff, Mr.. Robert M'Clel-
land next the constables with their
long staves-Sheriff Officer, on horse
back, in front of the military-In this
order the procession moved down Main
street to the lower end and up the South
West side of Gallows hill, in the head
ola hollow, forming a kind of amphithea-
tire, where the gallows was erected, on
the right of the old Brownsville road,
about half a mile frsm the prison, and in
full view of the South side of the Main
street, and the whole South side of the
borough-around the gallows the sheriff
had previously formed leaving an open
area of about one hundred feet square, in
this the procession halted: On the way
from the prison, to the place of execu.
ton, the cuIprit appeared to be entirely
unconcerned, ate part of an apple and
surveyed the attending crewd with a
keen scintillating eye-He remarked to
Mr.. Wolf, that he had acquired for
tune of 40, 900 dollars, which they had
tried to rob him of, and now wanted his
life-they were welcome to it; he was
as ready to die as they were to hang,
his life was all they could get, the day
was clear and the sun shone out pleasant
and warm, which he appeared to enjoy,
and occasionally turned his face up to
the spectators from the windows; his
cOuntenance was unmoved, bold and
bespeaking a heart unchangeable-his
complexion was fine and fiorid, although
he had, we are told, not taken more
than one small portion of spirits, that
morning, and ate no breakfast. On halt
ing under the scaffold the malefactor
viewed the erection with as much con-
stancy, Indifference or emotion as phi
losopher, of the sect of Zeno, could have
done. The Rev. Henry Furlong gave
out hymn, commencing with the fol-
lowing words, which was sung.
"When rising. from the bed Of DEATH"
&c. The Rev. Thomas Hoge, red the
5lst Psalm and the Rev. Charles Vince,
Ter closed the services, with prayer to
the throne of most high God in a very
fervent and supplicating manner, for
the poor human being who was then "a
bout to be put to death. Crawford re-
NAMED unmoved, or affected. On being
asked if he wished his time prolonged to
the last minute, he answered no Said
hC, " WVulu TdtiicE ulc Ia unc thiHuLCs
than live ten hours longer, | wish to
have it over, do not want to keep
Tony Robson here, waiting with his
wagon, want to be taken home this
night to my own house, where my neigh
bOrs can call in and see me once more;
| have had no peace of mind Tor 4S
years, and wish to leave this wicked
world. III was worth 100000 pounds,
bet guinea my children would have
robed me of the whole of it, and thea
brought me to this ignOminions DEATH
Ii | was to be shot, would think moth
ing of it but to be murdered upon that
galiows (casting his eyes upon IT. u
what hate; it is more than | expected
or deserve, and what the name OF Craw-
ford, never was brought to or any OF ths
race" The sheriff then told him, MI.
Craw ford, if you wish the longest tln'
allowed in the warrant you shall Ia
it. He sternly replied no 81 do
wish to be Detained" and drank a gla
Of beer. When taken up en- the seattc