Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-09-01
FI{4E PRESS.
EXECUTION OF EnrNEzEn w. cox,

gIgs. barouches, wagons. carts. and
carriages, and on foot-alI Fastening
TO the field Of mortal agony. Nothing
occupied tl.s thoughts Of the multitude.
bot anxiety as To the time, the place.
and the manner, in which the man Of
blood was "a make his exit from this
world Of strife. Age upon its crutch--
youth IN its 5uoyapcy-and infancy in
It's elplessness-all hurrying tn and
iro, to gaze upon the narrowing spec
taole-pity in the eyes OF some, lcvity
upon ths features Of Others. AID curl
osity IN the aspect of all.
The morning ct the fatal tay was
opened by the early hum Of the half
refreshed sleepers, whose thoughts
through the nigh, had run
In endless mazcs, intricate, perpIescd."
Soon followed the busy troops, mot
with life. and drum, and bugle, "wi,h
triumphant banners. and prancing
steeds." but with silent step and seri-
Gus visage.
During this time. crowds had gather
cd IN dense groups around the gaol.
and in sight Of il, with eager gaze wait
ing for the laws sacrifice, whilst hun
drsds thronged TO the scaffold. to post
themselves in advantageous positions.
Meridian had been the hour fixed on
for bringing out the prisoner. The
hearse, containing his coifin. was dri
ven up in front. and n barouchc follow
ed, totake up him aud his spiritual
attendants, in the event Of his sinking
on the way-having been promised the
indulgence Of going on foot to the place
of execution. The military. consist
ing Of Capt. Hunters troop Of cavalry.
and Capt Stewards light infantry.
were drawn up in hollow square,
after removing with some difficulty the
compact mass Of spectators who were
gathered at the prison door
The whole then waited in breathless
expectation. TO see the bearing Of the
prisoner; and here, in few moments.
the sceno vas electric in its Effects
lie emerged from his confinement, al
halt past IL o'clock, dressed in hi,
shroud and cap. supported by the Rev
Dir. GILDEA and the Rev. Mr.. GRAcE.
Of the Catholic Church. in their whit.
robes Of office, bare headed. At this
instant. the burst Of sympathy was au-
dible. Hundreds from their eye-lids
wiped the unbidden tear, though some.
who never knew ''what tits 10 pity or
be pitied." gazed on this scene of the
drama with heartiess indifference. The
cavalcade then proceeded, amids,
binding clouds Of dust, towards the
place Of execution, short distance
cas-: Of town.
During the march, the clergymen
were engaged in reading prayers. and
IN exhortatlons tn the prisoner. Eve
~ door. window, and eminence. pre-
seDtcd Interested spectators. Here
were females. giving vent to the natu
val and honorable sensibiiiiies Of their
hearts, m loud and earnest Iamenta.
tioDs-wbile their cries were respond
ed to from the crowd by many a ihrob-
bling an'lagopized heart. On the way,
the prisoner began To sink, from the ef.
icets OF his long confinement, and from
the intense heat and dust which fell
upon hun. lie was helped into the
bar0uche, and took his seat between
the priests. upon the shoulder Of one
al whom he rested his head. IN a man
ner which gave a new touch to the
feelings Of the spectators.
Arrived near the fatal place. the pro
cession paused. in order To clear the
spot Of the crowd which had gathered, I'm
their ea2erness To see-many of them
females-under the drop offhe sco7oid!
THIS being done. the platform was ap
preached. and mounted with as much
facility az the situation of the prisoner.
with his arms pinioned, would permit.
Here. after the rope was tried, he knelt
IN prayer with his ministers. At this
period,
=" MI sounds of all the multitude wcr,. hu.I a
Md frDn the thousands anal ten thousands thcrr
q watch u'c dread -Ccne---'ot = whisper ros.
10 Aesv'n' s"eb ave and rcScrctIcc master d
Such expectation held them motionlrss
Prayer being concluded. the prison.
er re'adirmed TO the Rev. Mr.. GLDEA,
~ the presence Of Mr.. JANIS l.. RAx.
son, the sheriff, the truth Of his pre
viOus confession, IN which he had i'm.
pIicated seven other persons as his in
stigators and Accessories. Water wa,
several times given him. 20 slake che
burning thirst which the excitement
so naturally prodoced. The priest.
embraced him most ctionstefy, ex.
horted him 20 commit his soul to COP.
and leit him upon the scaffold, while
they kncit III prayer at It's foot. lie
Then dropped upon his knees. with the
cap over his face. and spent several
m'np'esIn earnest and sgouizing prayer
--elasPing his hands in agony, and
shaking has hcsd as IT hes soul was = +.
bout TO be released from ts eaTsbIv
mansion. iIere again the sob of sym
Pathy vas loud aud general. lie