Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-07-06

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! dense mass of human beings half covered the
fields. amounting we Should suppose, with what
afterwards assembled, to forty thousand specta-
tors. of which not less than two thousand were
women. some of whom had infants in their arms.
After standing for several hours in a burning
sun, it was announced that Porter was approach
inc. On hooking towards the city. cavalcade
that filled up every avenue to TIE gallows, was
seen drawing near, enveloped in cloud OF dust,
which, as it partially drew aside.o served to
make the crowd appear more dense. They came
on at slow pace, attended BY throng of Off
GERS and guards. Porter was seated In cart,
upon his coffin. and looked around upon the
, immense mass of people without any uncommon
concern. He wore shabby black hat, the re-
mainder Of his dress being covered beneath a
laree white linen gown. The halter was round
his neck. and his arms were slightly tied toge-
Their at the elbows, behind nm. The hangman
rode in the same cart, disguised in ragged SUIT
of prison regimentals and an old straw hat; his
face was covered with thick green veil.
The cart was preceded and followed by the
Marshal. his officers. the whole of the city po-
lice. with troop of cavalry in citizens dress;
and body of Marines from the Navy Yard
joined the procession at the gallows. At ten
o'clock precisely the culprt reached the sallows.
and in a few minutes assembled the platform, &C
companed BY the Rev. Mr.. kemper, OF the
Episcopal Church, who had attended him since
his conviction, and several other clergymen.
The religious services Of the occasion were
then begun by the whole group kneeling to pray,
which occupied about twenty minutes. In these
exercises the culprit joined with great apparent
sincerity, and when be rose, stood with hrm and
manly front. looking upon The concourse which
filled the view on every side. He looked sub
dued in spirit, aud appeared to be fully aware
of the horrors of his situation, though IN passing
down the prison steps to enter the cart. he walk
ed with cheerfulness bordering on hi!arity.
The attending clergy having concluded their
duties, thev each shook hands with him and de-
scended. The Marshal and the hangman then
appeared upon the platform. The hands OF he
cuiprit were tied together by the latter al 81.
wrist, the cap drawn over his face, and the co.u
adjusted TO the beam above. Every thing Deiu-
thus far ready, the death warrant was read by the
Marshal from the scaifold, having finished wHch,
he left the prisoner alone upon the drop. he hIv-
ing no wish to address the spectators. He S'o"d
IN this position perhaps a minute, when the drop
fell and the wretched man ceased to live.
He died almost instantly, there being but
Slight perceptible struggle. The moment the
drop fell. a tremendous rash took place among the
crowd, from the idea that the rope had broke,
and great confusion was the consequence. No-
men and young girls were knockcd down, tram
pied upon. stripped Of their ~oawis and D2nnc:s,
and some Of them without doubt severely injured.
Several panics of this kind occurred in success
sion after the drop fell, and the rapidity with which
the alarm extended itself was astonishing. The
whole mass of Tsops were appraised Of IA rumor
that Porter's friends intended to Ttsc0e han; an1
to this cause NAV beprincipally attributed the
vide, dangerous. hut wholly grOundess alarm
which existed. 81 great AMI irresistible was the
rush. that the wonder is no lives were lost in the
confusion.
The cu'prit dropped at exactly half after ten o.
clock. and the body was not cut down until after
eleven He fell not less than four feet, nearly
out of SIGHT of the crowd,and within twoor three
feet of the ground. The spine must have been
eifectualIy broken, and his suiteriugs only mo-
mentarY.
1t must not be concealed that great and violent
dissatisfaction not only existed but was express
sed, b. hundreds of the spectators, at The absurd
and unjust extension of mercy TO Wilson. All
classes of this immense assembage were loud in
their denunciations of the President: though no
symptoms of rescue were any where observ-
able. BY twelve O'Clock the scene Of death was
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