The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1830-10-02

EXECUTION OF JOHN FRANCIS
@ z KNAPP. SaT

KNAPP. so
The dread sentence ofthe law was ex-
ecuted upon this individual between the
hours of8 and 10 on Tuesday morning
last. We mentioned in our last that the
two brothers, j. F. and j. j. Knapp, had
an interview on Saturday evening. The
Salem Gazette states that /" they both re-
questcd It Of the gaolcr, and were indulg-
ed. He conducted Joseph from his cell
in the third story of the prison) to the
condemned cell Of Frank on the lower
floor. They spent some time together
1t was the first time they had met since
they were carried into Court together to
be arraigned, about two months ago.
Frank was calm and firm /; Joseph is vast
ed and feeble in body, and spirit, having
little appetite for food, enjoying little rest,
and with difficulty uttering artieulate
words, To the question from Joseph,
whether Frank was really as we'll as he ap
peared to be, Frank replied, /" Yes, can
sleep as sound now on the soft side of a
plank as ever could" On Monday tn ey
were INDUCED with another sad interview
their last in this world : They bade
each other a last Farnceil, under such cir
cumstances, a. must give poignancy to
pain aRd<1mrr0ess to agony"
M. I'll of last evening gives
BE kulars relating to tho
exec from an aged and re-
spect who left Salem yester-
day
H67Wds present in the Jail when the
Prisoner was brought out from his cell, ,
and witnessed the execution. He inform
cd us that Knapp came ont, leaning up
on the arm of Bishop Griswold-that he
was pinioned in the entry-that he walked
with a steady step and ascended the gal
lows with great frmne ss-He left the Jail
at half past o'clock, and was launched
into eternity in ten minutes Afterwards
There was no apparent signal made by
the prisoner his elbows we're pioned to
his sides, SO as to permit him to reach his
neckcloth with his hands-the drop fell
he grasped his cravat with strong convul
sive motion, and died instantly. ~
/" 1t is not known that he made any con-
fession. He was asked by the Bishop if
he wished to address the spectators, and
he answered Z" that he was afraid he
should not have. sufficient frmness. -
Our informant adds that not muscle Of
his face changed even for a moment !;
that his countenance appeared as fresh
as If he had been imprisoned only for one
day. He breaklasted with great compos-
|ure. Last evening he ate his supper as
usual, and about IL o'clock at night told
one of the under keepers that he was hun:
gry, and asked for food, n-wssr brought
him, he ate it with ood3Appetite, and,
fell asleep in aboutI5 minutes afterwards
He woke this morning at half past 4 o.
clock, but evinced no signs Of sxtraordi-
nary distress, nor displayed any conscious
ness ofhis perilous circumstances. Pray
ers were offered in his cell before leaving
it, and no exertions were spared by the
worthy Bishop to bring him to sense Of
his situation
"Our informant is fast verging upon
his eightieth year, but says that in the
whole course Of his life, during which he
had been called upon to witness innumer-
able executions, he never saw a prisoner,
who during the whole scecne displayed so
much coolness, selcpossession, and firm
ness. After he left the jail he was not
heard to utter syllable to any person
near him."
In addition to the above particulars, we
will state, that Knapp, on the evening
previous to his execution, signed, in thu
presence Of witnesses, a statement which
he had drawn up relative to the testimony
given, on his trial, by the Rev. Mr.. Cole
man. The statement impugns Mr.. Cole
mans veracity, and was intended by
Knapp to be made public. He wished to
make oath to it, but several magistrates,
who were called upon, declined tho Office
Of administering it. 1t is also said that
there are few persons who place credit in
the statement. Knapp also gave to the
Rev. DIR. Flint some sealed papers, re-
lating to the conspiracy and murder, with
the injunction that they should not be op-
ened till after the trial Of the other per.
sons accused |! A third paper, but Of
what purport we do not know, Knapp com
mitted to the care Of Mr.. Rantoul, Jr.
! Knapp said nothing while upon the scat
fold and his calmpess and fortitude never