The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-02-12
EXECUTION OF WIN. GROSS.

4 SncELfhlA. FEB. AT an earl,
hour the bum of preparation was hearS
Yesterday morning in the neighborhoot
OF the prison. The day was clear ant
cold Before l o'clock an immens,
crowd had assembled. The police con
stables and waichmen of the civ or
horseback and foot, were ranged in such
order as was deemed best calculated r.
Keep the way clear, prevent confusion
and preserve public peace. twas near,
~ hall past ten o'clock when the prison.
er' attended by several clergymen, pre-
sen'ed himself at the prison door OH Wal.
nut street. He had on black hat. and
over his usual clothes was a white cotton
garment, which covered his whole bodv
arms and legs. His arms were pipioned
and the rope round his body. His face
was much the same it had been 70, weeks.
1t was very pale He did not pause a
moment nor did he then, or at any flu
lure time, raise his eye TO survey the
multitude. Ii was cast down upon ibe
earth. Ills step was remarkably firm
considering that for six or more weeks
lie had been confined in small cell with
chain round his ANGLE, The distance
from the Jail 10 the place of execution is
nei"een mile and half and two miles
The vigor and guitkne of his step may
De estimated when it is known. that M,
"ithslanoing occasional Instructions from
the crowd, he was under the gaIIows in
'ess Than three quarters OF an hour after
he descended The prison steps. A cart
n which rode the hangman, (diseaissd m
'oiack mask, an old straw hat and bIan
Sets) went first. The criminal walked
lew PAGES from the tan of the cart
soon alter leaving The prison HYMN was
'uhg, and other hymns continued to be
sung until after the prisoner had arrived
ON 'he ground. During all this time no
mango was visible in the unbappv man
VINO was the object of universal attention
Inc tlrmness of his step was undated.
and we often heard or though. we heard.
MS voice clear and urbloken raised IN
heaven. We speak from our own obser.
Walton, we were within few naces of
MN from the time he left the prison until
ne was corpse swinging in the winds of
heaven.
instead ora Cart small platform was
erected under the galiows; supported at
one end by an upright piece of timber
winch when struck down the platform
ieii instantly: 1t was aboa, ten feet from
ne ground and on an elevation
Soon alter the area round the fatal s,o,
was cleared, the prisoner and those who
were administering 10 him the consola.
IONS OF religion, assembled at the foot
OF the ladder which conducted to the plat.
form. P'"''
Inc ladder was seen TO move an INN.
suaI STIR was observed at its foot and nre.
sently Gross was seen ascending il mn,
win feeble knee or faulterine foot. hut
with slow and steady step Sheriff Try.
on and his deputy, Mr.. Elliott, had pre-.
ceded him. Ihey taIlssd few minutes
with the prisoner then the sheriff read
In loud and distinct manner. the dea,b
warrant under which he wps acting. Sin
the multitude were unmoved all was
quiet. There were no eXclama,ions.
soon alter the hangman went up the lad.
der with quicknes of step and leyitv Of
Department which was offensive. The
aher'di beckonedto him to go down. He
dld SO; then the word "siienee' was heard
IN deep and under tone. Presently we
heard the convict in slow and rather
tremulous voice. The anxiety TO hear
was SO great as somewhat to disturb the
serenity OF the scene. The following
embraces the Purport of all that he said,
III his own words, so far as memory fur,
mshes them s-"Men and bretbren-on
me lne which divides time from eternity
am allowed TO pause to say few words
lhey are the last that shall ever utter
only to commend my soul 10 nv eracious
Saviour. May they be useful .dyoid
oad company. 1t leads to all crimes and
pIunses In all SIN. .dvoid card hLay,np.
Ii has been my ruin. God guard YOU a.
galnst these mighty tempters. Remem.
oer your creator in the days Of your
youth. Nfy hope and trust are in Jesus
christ. His precious blood can cleanse
Inc most guilty. Avoid bad companv
aDd avoid card playing. God be merci.
iul to me sinner; be warned and profit
by my example"
Previously 10 he delivery of this adj.
Dress, the rev. MIR. King had assembled
the platform and had some close conver.
sa'lon With the prisoner. After he de
scended we observed that Gross held The
hand OF The sheriff very firmly ard said
something to him with great earnestness
oi manner. We subsequently learned
'ha' ne was returning thanks for all the
attention bestowed upon him and implor-
ing the blessing of God upon the head
OF the sheriff add all his family. As the
hdnpInan was about IL, I.....- = 80.