The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-01-06
EXECUTION OF JOSEPH JENKINS
KNAPP. Jus.

On Friday morning. december 81, sen
tcnce Of Death. by hanging, was executed
upon JosEPH JENKINS KNAPP, Jun. con
victed as accessory before the fact in the
murder of Joseph White.
The arrangements for the awful ceremo
ny we're precisely the same as at the exc.
cution of John Francis Knapp, and were
carried into cffec, with the utmost precis.
ion, and without accident or interruption.
The High Sheriff, bis Deputies, and the
Cnnstsbles of the town. conducted the pro-
ceedings and formed the only guard 10 pre-.
serve order amongst the spectators, and no
other guard was required--the department
Of the assembled multitude. as on the for
mer occasion, being that Of a people con.
scious that they had character at stake,
and determined TO preserve that Of good
Citizens. The number ofspectators was ..
bout as large rs at the execution Of the
younger brother perhaps from 4 to 5000
hut we were gratiiied to observe, the mum.
Der Of female witnesses Of the dreadful
scene was greatly reduced. j
The Rev. JoHN p. CLEAvFLaSD visited
che wretchcd criminal daily during the last
two weens OF his existence, and vas with
him from z o'clock on the morning Of the
execution until be was launched into etcr.
nifty. Mr.. CLEAvELANp was requested by
the Sherffto be present during tho reading
Of the Death Warrant in his cell when il
was received from the Governor, and after
that, Knapp, Of his own accord, requested
the Rev. gentleman 10 visit him as often
as he could, till his death. Mr.. CLEAvE-
LAND has informed us, that Knapp express
ed wish to him. repeatedly, and in partic-
ular on the morning Of the execution, thst
he could have had opportunity to warn his
companions against the consequences Of
dissipation and Elm, and told him just be-
fore he left his cell, that he persuaded
it would have saved him from ruin, had he
always regarded the Bible In the same
light in which he viewed il then. lie re
peate9ly admitted the perfect justice of his
sentence. Mr.. CbEAvELASp was request
ed by Knapp 10 visit both him ard HE :yife,
in the cell, day or two before the, execu.
tion. when the agony which they both ex-
bibitcd was truly heart rending. The last
interview between tho wretched couple
was on the evening previous TO tha execu.
ton. The anguish and distress evinced by
both is said TO have been indiscribable.
She was unable to support herself on leav
ing tho, cell, and his agony and emotion
produced by the sad intsrview continued
ill past II o'clock at night, when he oc.
cupicd about fifteen or twenty minutes in
reading the Bible, then became immediate
" composed, and soon afterwards fell into
a quiet sleep, which was not distuI bed I'M.
iii about Eve o'clock in. the morning, when
he rose, and dressed himself with care, and
again resor,ed to his Bible. lie partook Of
refreshmcnt both in the evening and the
morning. The Rev. Mr.. CLEAyELAnp
visited him before seven O'clock A. M. and
from that time until be was carried out oil
the prison, he appeared composed end
calm. bit completely absorbed and amazed
by the scene bcfnFe him. The religious
services were performed in The cell.
Precisely at nino O'Clock, the prisoner
vas brought from his cell, his arms were
pinioned, and, accompanied by the Rev.
| Clergyman. the Sheriff and his Deputies.
walked 20 the gallows, on the north side Of
the Goal; and although pale epd em,cisted,
his sters was steady, his body erect, and he
gazed around with calmncss when he was
proceeding towards the fatal scafiold. He
was very gentcelly dressed ~ dark froc X
coat and psntaloons, black silk vest, boots,
&c. No want OF composurc or hrmness
was perceived, until during the reading OF
the Death Warrant by, sheriff SrRAouE.
(which was done in very audible ard I'm
pha'ic manner when Knapp iremblcd so
much that the Rev. Clergyman found IL nc
cessary to sorpori him. This however, II
10 supposed might nave been partly occrs
ioned by The effect Of the chill cir upon his
feeble frame. As soon sstlle warrant wss
read, the criminal srccnded the trap, the
rope was adjusted. the white cap dfnwn
over his face, aud IN a moment lie IVES
lnunchcd into the world Of spirits.
Signs Of lie. By slight spasmcdic ssrug.
glines. weic perceived for sboui FIVE min