Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-08-01
EXECUTION OF CLoUGH.

ENECUTION OF CL.OCGH.
The execution Of Clough, the murderer, took
place At Mount Holly, 90 Friday Last, asrrcably
to the sentence Of the Law. The PHILADELPHIA
L. S. Gazette Of Saturday has the folio wing se-
eoont Of il,
Yesterday was the day appointed by the
authorities Of New Jersey, for the execution
OF JOEL CLoueH, for the murder Of Mrs. Ma
RI HAMILTON. The extraordinary atrocity
OF the act, and the circumstances attending
the trial, and the recent escape Of the MUIR
derer, had given more than common interest
to the execution; and at an early hour in the
morning Of yesterday, the streets Of Mount
Holly were crowded with persons who had
come to witness the end Of the unfortunate
man.
The Rev. Mr.. Wilmer, and one or two re-
Ii6ious laymen, were with CIough all the night
previous to his death. lie attended to their
instructions until about midnight, and then
lay down and slept composedly for about ;
hours. About 20 minutes past noon, the She
rih brought the culprit from the prison. lie
was attended by the RI. Rev. Bishop Doane.
Rev. MIR. Wilmer, and several other clergy
men. lie was placed in IN open dearborn,
IN which were the sheriff and the clergymen.
and conveyed to the place Of execution, about
- miles from Mount Holly, near the Ranco-
Gus bridge. The prisoner was dressed in n
white roundabout, vest and pantaloons; his
breast was open, and in going to the place Of
execution, he requested one Of the clergymen
10 place handkerchief over his neck and
breast 20 protect Il from the sun.
Five volunteer companies Of infantry were
stationed round the gallows, and q company
OF cavalry attended the euIprt from the pri-
son To the place Of execution ClouRh seem
ed, through the whole Of the painful ceremo-
ny, to De calm and collected; he had mani
tested spirit Of repentance while in prison.
and bad received the rite Of baptism, admin
istered by Bishop Doane.
About 30 minutes past one o'clock, the pri-
soner arrived at the place Of execution; no
descended from tho dearborn without assis-
lance, and having taken leave Of several per-
sons whom he recognised, he asccnded the
platform and sat down IN 4 chair. Bishop
Doaue, and Mr.. Wilmer, Of the Episcopal
Church; and MFR. Ashton, Of PhiladeIphia,
and MIR. Shepherd, Of Mount Holly, Of the
Baptist Church and tho Methodist clergy
man OF ?embeTton, also went upon the plat
form. The appropriate servieefwas road By
Bishop Doane, and a prayer was made by Mr..
wilmer. Bishop D0ane then read letter
from CIough to his mother, and also the con
fessiOn OF the prisoner. Several hymns were
sung, and subsequently, there was sung the
hymn, commencing,
When can rad my title clear,
To mansions ia the skies
III bid farewell n every fear,
And wipe my weeping eyes
During the whole Of these solemn perform.
anee@, Clough esInced much agitation, fire.
\ oneBi = rising IRON his chair, moving about.
wrDging bIs hands, &C. lie took q solemn
and adcetionsse leave Of tie clergymen " bo
attended him, about quarter past two o'clock
/ The sheriff then adjusted tho rope. in which
De was aided by Clough. After the rope was
placed over the gallows, CIOugh desired that
., might be taken down--he then measured
with his arm the length Of rope necessary 20
allow him a sufficient fall, and after some
other regulations, IN all Of which the prisoner
seemed 10 take an active part, hrs arms were
Pinioned, and u'e white cap placed on his
head, and drawn over his face. d. this posi-
ton be stood few minutes, when the She
rih struck down the support II the platform.
ADD Joel ClOugh vas launched into eternity.
y slight muscular CONFUSION was al tie
movement visible In the body while Il wa,
suspended. IN about 30 minutes after the
execution, The body vas taken down and
placed in a coin.
I Notwithstanding the immense number OF
persons assembled, nearly twelve tbousand
there was no daOrdtr 10 mar the solsu,pitis.
Of The occasion.
The CONFESSION of Mr.. cIo,r.h. written
1 BY himself and read from the scadoiS. 10 ths
surrounding multitude, in a remarkably d.
tincl and impressive manner. BY Bishop Doane
embodied brief outline Of Ms life, frum kis
infancy, 70 The period q his imprisonment.
in reference 70 the crime for which he ha,
suffered, be made some disclosures which
place tie subject 10 a different light from that
% which y has been herstof0rs viewed Sc
states, after appealing % that God before
, whom be ''as about 10 appear, for the since