Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-09-19

IxECUT,oN OF LIE BLANC.


From ihe Correspondent Of fhe .Nsw FORK Daily
MoRRIsTowN, y. J., sEPr. b.
The highest penalty Of the lac VAS this
day enforced upon the malefsctor. lie
Blanc, IN conformity TO his sentence. The
event. although IL attracted tsgeihsr .
multitude Of spectators To witness the last
mortal sgonies Of fellow creature, fell
far short Of bringing 90 great = number
upon the spot 80 was anticipated. The
gailows was erected on the public green.
in the centre OF the town. constructed With
puliies instead Of the drop. and the execo-
ton was conducted with great dexicriiy
and dispatch.
The eulprit evineed very iite concern
Tor himself until 1'hursdsy night. when he
slept but little. and was frequently heard
engaged in prayer or pacing tho floor Of
his cell. The priest attended him early
on the morning Of Friday, aud sdm,nister.
ed the mass 10 him. At about o O'Clock
the Sheriff, accompanied by Mr.. Boissu-
bin aud myself, entered the cell. the for
mcr TO free the prisoner from has iron fet-
tiers preparatory 10 his execution, and the
latter to elicit, IL possible. hatiher devel-
oPement Of the history OF this e,traordina-
~ criminal; but he persisted in denying
having any conpexioo whatever with any
other murder. anticipated frequently his
scquiescence in the punishment he was a
bout 10 suffer. lilo complained that sto-
ries had been got up about hiu that were
not ttue-one IN partic ulAr. Of his having
paid the priest dollar aud half To ha,e
his sins psrdoned, " hich he regarded as an
insult 20 his religion. lie also spoke Of
persons Who came frequently 10 the win
dow Of his cell 10 observe whether he was
pcnitent. that they were continually saying
10 each other in his hearing. Z" he don't cry 4.
he don't cry" " Moo Dieu." said lie Blanc,
a" cannot cry all the time 20 crafty them I:
] merit death, and were they TO cut me up
by piece meal, alive. shall not murmur
II Is what deserve for my baTbarous con
duct in killing tho family Of Mr. Sayre, for
1 not only baicbered them. bot ! cot them
Cd in the midst OF their sins" After the
prisoner had washed himself. the Sheriff
brought into his cell and laid before him
the garments in which he vas 10 be exc
euted. The prisoner smiled as he receiv-
ed them. wageishly looking alternately st
the dress and The Sheriff. and put them on
with as good a grace "a if he were going
to wedding. lie actually laughed out
when he drew on the white psntaloon.,
they being somewhat small; and no re
marked as he looked at the appearance ne
made in them, that the priest would not
know HIM when he came again. He Tnade
many other observations Of q similar ma
ture while he was dressing. About this
time the military began TO come in town
who being determined To make the most Of
the occasion. kept up an incessant drum
ming and ffeing about the court house.
frequently approaching the cell Of the pri-
soner. who did not appear pleased. and Oh
served with shrug, "that music is for
me. suppose" At IL O'Clock the process
sion. under an escort Of cavalry and in
fantry, proceeded 10 the place OF exeeu-
ton. lie Blanc walked as firmly rs the
rest. and did not alter muscle. Having
arrived ut the foot OF the gsllows, a short
prayer was offered up Ivy The priest-ihe
prisoner then addressed The crowd in his
own language. for q minute or two: the
purport Of which Was, ackno~le dging the
justice OF his execution, and exhorting
them 10 take warning At 90 minutes past
~. the sheriff, with tho same Ratchet thai
killed the black girl. struck the fatal cord
and Antoine lie Blanc was launched into
eternity.