The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1827-08-30
From the Albany Argus of Aug. 25.
EXECUTION OF STRANG.

EAEt loN OF - h ANU.
The city yesterday was alive with stran-
gers.-Early in the morning and until the
hour OF execution, every avenue leading to
the city was thronged with vehicles the
! steam boats that came up during the morn
ing, and the ferry boats, literally swarmed;
and the streets and side walks were so fiil-
cd by the passing crowds as to render il
difficult to pursue the ordinary avocations.
So great was the concoursc, that it was
deemed eXpcdient TO accept the voluntary
offers Of the military, and between eleven
and twelve in the forenoon, thirteen com
panies, one each from Troy, Greenbush,
Schenectady and Bethlehem, formed, and
marched Ia the place of execution.
This was in the valley, at the head Of
Beaver street, directly west Of the Lancas
ierian Academy and the gaol, and perhaps
quarter OF mile south w9st Of the copi-
tol. From this valley, which forms mar
row fat, the hills upon three sides rise ab-
ruptly to a considerable height, forming
pertectamphtheatre The scaifold, there
lore. was overlooked, and every movement
connected with IT, distinctly seen by tho
vast multitude that ocC up.cd all parts Of the
sides and SUBMITS Of the cmiDcnces. II is
believed that at least thirty thoucsnd per
sons witnessed the ceremony on this Occa-
sion; one fifth Of whom were females!
The scailold was in the centre of cir.
lie of considerable magnitude. the inner
line OF which was guarded all around by
the military two or three deep, under the
command Of Capt. Osborn, who offic.ated
as marshal. Al about n quarter pagt one
p. NJ. tho prisoner, in white overdrese,
trimmed with black, accompanied by the
sheriff ard gaoler and other cni officers
and by the reverend mr.. Lacey. and escort
cd by the Albany Republican Artillery,
PASSED from prison and proceeded on foot
10 the place OfeXccuilon.
During several Of the past days, Strang
/ has appeared to be much softelcd, and to
cSince a considerable degree Of pentenco.
! He Nas visited and prayed with Yesterday
morning by the Rev ur. Lacey. and dnr-
ing the forenoon, when not Interrupted, was
engaged IN silent but constant PRAYER. He
! experienced no particular debility: and now
| ascended the siers of the scaffold with
( iirmne9s. Addressing the multitude, be
said, in an audible voice, that he perceived
a great many people present, who had come,
as he supposed, To witness his execution :;
and he hoped that IT would lead them to yc-
fleet upon the effects of sin and lost, and
induce them 10 avoid those acts for which
, he was about 10 suffer painful and ipno.
mnlons death. lie hoped that they might
! 20 away with hearts impressed with con-
I triton as his was. Then, holding a nam.
! phlct in his hand, he sand "This contains
a tuli confession of the great transaction
! Tor which ] am about to die, and evcry word
| that /, contdins 10 the best Of my know
! ledge and belief, is true If there is a sin.
! gle word IN II that is not true, il has been
/ inserted by mistake and not by design"
! lie added, that he had no more to say. and
handed the pamphlet TO thefevM Lacey.
The prayers prescribed by the episcopal
church for such occasions were then read.
which he appeared to join in earnestly.
| The sheriff then took final leave of him.
and was evidently much affected. The
! Rev. Mr.. Lacey addressed him briefly, and
also parted with him; as did also mr. Beck
er, the gaoler. During the awful interval
between ascending the scafiold and his
death, he MSS composed, and not mHch a.
gltated. AT a quarter before two O'Clock
he gave the signal. drew his cap over his
face, the drop fell, and after struggling for
q few minutes, the wretched man expired.
He Hmalned suspended for about half an
hour! when his body was taken down and
delivered To his friends for nterment. In
the mean time, the crowd gradually dispers.
ed. peaceably, and as far rs we have learn
ed, without accident OF any sort. The ef.
ticlent precautionary measures taken BY
the sheriff and the civil authorizes, were
calculated TO prevent or rcpressany tumult,
though there was not that We observed,
the slightest tendency towards one.
Thus persbed the murderer. II was the
Just forfeit Of life for life; and so atrocious
was the case, that there were few to re-
gret his fate none, that We know o.. to
deny the righteousness of the law. Whilst
we may question the utility Of such spec
tacles, tending as they do in general. TO
crafty morbid curiosity, and TO excite
sympathy for the criminal rather than an
adherence, and consequently a prevention
ofcrlInc; we trust ponc who were the wit
ncsses Of this scene. will forget that this
ignUminious death was the consequence of
an indulgence in vicious courses and crIm.
Inal passions.