Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1827-08-31
From the ALBANY .4rgus. .1ugust a5.
THE EXECUTION OF S'FRANG.

The city Yesterday was alive with strangers. S.
Early in the morning and until the hour Of exccu-
ton every avenue leading to the city was thronged
with vehicles the steamboat that came up during
the NOR ng, and the ferry boats literally swarmed;
and the streets aud sidewalks were filed by the
passing crowds as to render it difficult pursue the
ordinary avocati0us
So great was the concourse that it deemed
cxpedent to accept the voluntary offers OF the mill
tary and between clevenant twelve in the forenoon.
thirteen companies, one each from Troy, Green
bush, Schenectady and Bethlehem, formed, and
marched to the place Of execution.
This was in the valley at the head of Beaver street,
directly west ofthe Lancaster academy and the eao
and perhaps quarter Of mile south west of the
capitol. From this valley which forms a narrow
Mai, the hills upon three sides, rise abruptly to
/ considerable height. forming perfect amphheatrc
The scatoId, therefore, overlooked. and every
movement connected with it, distinctly seen by the
vast multitude that occupied all parts Of the sides
and SUBMITS of the emnences 1t is believed that
at least thirty thousand persons witnessed the ce-
remuny Oh this occasion one fifth of whom were
females.
The scaffod was the centre of a circle of consi-
derale magnitude. the inner line Of which was
guarded all around by the military. two or three
y deep under the command of capt Osborn, WHO
oiiciated as marshall. At about quarter past one
p. M the prisoner, in a white overdress, trimmed
with black. accompanied by the SherH ana Saoier
and other civil officers and by the Rev. MIR. Lacy,
and escorted by the Albany Republican artillery,
passed from the prison and proceeded foot to the
= place of execution.
II During several of the past days, Strang has ap
II peared to be much sottened and to evnce consl
= derablc degree Of penitence. lie was visited aht
s. prayed with Yesterday morning, by the Rev. Mr.
: Lacey, and during the forenoon, when not inter
Sc rupted engaged in silent but constant prayer
De He experienced no particular debility; and nov
&c assembled the steps of the scafold with frnness =
~ Addressing the multitude, he said, in an aullbl
es voice, that he perceived great many people pre-
ne sen, who had come, as he supposed to witness hi
at execution and he hoped that it would lead them
er reflect upon the effects of sin and lust, aud Undue
them to avoid those acts for which he was about
p- suffer painful and ignominious death. lie hope
that they might 20 away with hearts impressed wit
no contrition as his was. Then. holdinga pamphlet
nd his hand, he said 'rhs contains full coniesslt
'ci of the great transaction Tor which am about to d
IN and every word that it contaIs to the best OF n
the knowledge and belief is true it there is sing
the word in it that is not true, it has been inserted
t. mistake and not by design He added. that he h
yes no more to say, and handed the pamphlet to
re- Rev. MIR. Lacey.
ned The prayers prescribed by the episcopal chur
mp for such occasions then read. which he appc
IN ed to Join in earnestly. The sheriff then tool
tied final leave of him. and evidently much afectt
i to The Rev. Mr.. Lacey addressed him briefly, a
tie also parted with him as did also MIR. Becker,
gaoler During the awful interval between ascer