Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-10-08

lowing account ofthe last moments of
this unhappy man:
Another scene in the history of the
Salem murder has passed-Joha Fran
CHS Knapp, has paid the 70. Ell, of his
me Tor his agency in the preparation
oil the horrible crime. Thus have per-
ished two Of the criminals, Richard
Crowninshield, jr. and j. L. Knapp,
the iiend-lIke assassin aud the accom-
pllce. Still the work Of Justice is not
hnished all the guilty have not yet
been tried.
/ We understand that the sentence of
death was executed on Knapp with de-
cency and in order. The arrange
ments were all completed on Monday;
on tina: day he was visited in his cell by
his relatives to take their final leave of
him. He intmated to the Sheriff
wish to be left alone during the night,
but the sheriff deemed 1t his duty to
station an officer in his cell. In the
morning he was assisted in his religious
devotions by the Rev. Bishop Griswold,
who, withiRev DIR. Flint, accompanied
him. He preferred that all the religi-
Gus services should take place in the
PRISON, rather than on the scatioid.
The Sheriff and his officers conducted
him from the south to the north end of
the prison, where the scaffold was e.
rected. He walked with firm and I'm.
ALTERING step. with his arms pinioned
behind him, ana without the manifesto
ton oil any strong or violent emotions
When he had assembled the flight of
steps, and first placed his foot on the
scaffold, he drew one deep and long
sisa AMI shea was re-assured
| lie had expressed desire not to be
kept long at the place OF execution as
spectacle, and soon drew from his bo-
som hahdkerchiefto drop as a signal
oil mis- readiness, even before the Off
GERS had finished the prepar atory steps.
The drop fell just before 8 O'Clock and
he died without struggle. When he
hrst iell, he raised convulsively his
hand, which quickly however, Tell life
less by his side
Ills body after banging short time.
was cofiinej, taken into the prison, and
put at the disposal OF his family. On
Monday,a grave was dug for him at the
side of his mother.
Since the conviction, we are told
that he has persisted in declaring his
innocence ofthe charge alleged against
HIM, Just az he did when sentence was
passed upon him bv the Court.
During his confinement he appears
to have been reflecting on the past
more than looking forward to the fu-
ture, and seems to have been more in
tent OH reproducing and finding fault
with others for occurrences at his trial
than IN remorse or repentance. He
has never shown any striking emotions,
but has remained unmoved and cool.
and indifferent apparently to the fate
that awaited him.
III common report is to be believed,
his short life has been spent in wicked
ness, free from the restraints of morali-
ty and religion. In his boyhood he
was guilty of stealing from some Of his
family; and from that time till his ar
rest his habits OF life were debauched.
his morals dissolute, his language pro.
fame and licentious, and his indulgence
In strong drink excessive. 1t is said
that he was intoxicated on the evening
of the I'd April, when he went to visit
K. Crowninshield, Jr. in Danvers; on
the evening of the murder when he met
Richard in Brown street and on the
evening when arrested at Wenham.
| The Commercial Gazette saws
Ii is understood that Knapp has left
a sealed package, with directions that
1t be opened after the trial Of his broth
er Joseph, which takes place in Nov
! The Salem Gazette yesterday, says,
the two brothers, J.lF Knapp and J.
Knapp, Jr. had an interview on Satur-
day evening. They both requested il
OF the goalor and were INDUCED; he
conducted Joseph from his cell Gin the
third story of the prison) to the con-
demhed cell of Frank onthe lower floor.
lhey spent some time together. TWAS
the first time they had met since they
we're carried into Court together to be
arraIgned, about two months ago.
Frank was calm and firm, Joseph is
wasted and feeble in body, and appears
miserable aad broken down in BODY
and spirit, having Little appetite for
food, enjoying little rest, and with DIFF
lchlty utterIng articulate words. To
the question from Joseph whether Frank
was really as we'll as he appeared to be,
Frank replied, Yes, can sleep as
sound now OH the soft side of a plank
as ever could"
Yesterday they were INDUCED with
another sad ;H;erview-their last in
this world They babe each other
last FWeveN, under such circumstau-
ces, as must give PoIgnancy to pain and
sharpness 10 agony.
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