Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1836-01-22
A DISGRACEFUL SCENE IN NEW
HAMPSHIRE.

sembled to witness the execution OF Prescott,
at Hopknton, N H., agrceaby to the sen
tence pronounced, and who were excited to
indignation bordering on madness, when
they received intelligence that he was re.
prieved The conduct of these thousands
of men and ,oomen, who it appears assem-
bled from all parts OF the State, to witness
this revolving scene,-the last agonies of a
fellow being, is stain upon the character
Of New England; it is more-it is disgrace
full to human nature This adds another
proof, to the many which have been ad-
duced during the past year, TO show that
something is radically .wrong in the systems
of moral education pursued in this coun-
try:-Centinel.
"As the day appointed for his execution
drew near, and there being a general con-
viction among the intelligent portion Of the
inhabitants of Hopkinton, where Prescott
was confined in the jail and the neighbor.
hood, who had had opportunities Of becom-
ing. acquainted with him. that by reason Of
general mental imbecilty, or perhaps par
tial insanity, he might not be a proper sub.
Ject for capital punishment, petition was
got up and presented TO the Governor. and a
brief respite obtained till the Council could
be convened, and further investigation of
the matter held The fact OF this temporary
respite was scarcely known beyond the linn
its of the village of Hopkinton, and on the
evening Of the 22d and the morning Of the
23d December-the day first appointed for
the executlon-ra vast multitude of people,
male and female both from the neighboring
and remote towns, poured into the village to
witness the exciting spectacle Of the public
execution OF a malefactor-a spectacle never
before exhibited in the county of Merrimack
On the 3d. after reconnoitering every cor
ner of the village, its highways and by.
ways, without finding any "coRrenience" for
the execution erected, the sagacous assem-.
blage took ii into their heads that the deadly
mandate OF the law was to be carried into
effect privately, in the Jail, situated on lit
tie abrupt elevation, about quarter of
mile north Of the heart of the village, and
kept by Andrew Leach, Esq, Deputy Sheriff
The Jail is two story wooden building,
originally designed merely for dwelling
house. The front part of the lower story,
and the entire second story, has always been
occupied by MIR Leach's family, while the
rear hall OF the lower story separated from
the front by narrow passage,) being con-
vered into three cells, has been used as the
prison, the entrance 10 them being either
through the kitchen, an appendage to the
north-end Of the front of the main building.
or through the front door of the dwelling
house. Onthe 23d of December, Mr. Leachs
family consisted of himself his wife. mar.
ried daughter (Mrs CIarissa Chase y who
had recently been confined, but had so far
recovered as to be able to sit up portion
OF the day and her young daughter, and
the infant son. In addition to the persons
referred to. there were of course such SER
wants as were necessary to assist in taking
care OF, and providing for the prisoners con.
lined in the Jail. We have been thus minute
IN describing the building, and the members
OF the family, in order that the scene which
follows may be better understood, and its
disgraceful and shameful character more full
ly appreciated by the reader
The suspicion of private execution, be.
fore alluded to, ripened into a conviction, as
the sun rolled on towards the meridian,
without any sign or "busy note Of prepare.
ton for public "satutary example p being
manifested or heard and the impatient
multitude believing that they were to be de-
frauded of their anticipated spectacle of the
dying agonles of a mere boy, stupid beyond
example, if not actually diotic, but not more
destitute of the nobler traits and distinguish
ing characteristics Of civilized human be-
ing than themselves, they became highly
e.xasperated' and by common consent, rather
'han any concert of action, proceeded in
dense but detached masses toward the jail
IN 'front.' OF which they concentrated to the
number of fifteen hundred or two thousand
Many OF them were much excited with
liquor, but the chief portion were excited
with wild and barbarous apprehension of
deception and disappointment, after journeys
of even fifty and sixty miles. The more
valorous and clamorous assembled the acclivi-
ty on which the Jail stood, and approaching
the windows and doors, demanded in vocif
erous and imperative tones, 1ohen and arhere
the expected execution was to take Mace
They were promptly and simply answered,
that Prescott was not TO be executed on that
day, nor WINS it known when he would be |
This answer-true TO the letter-the Jealous |
dlplomatsts received with loud cheers and
utter contempt They were not born yes
terday nor under a cabbage, 10 be come
over by such nonsense. They knew that
Prescott was 10 be hanged that day, and the
selfish folks in the house, together with their
select friends and invited guests were to
have all the fun themselves. 1t was in vain
that Mr. Leach at the top of his voice, time
and again, reiterated his solemn assurances
that they were absolutely and entirely mis-
taken, and laboring under an extraordinary
deusion
Mrs Leach too dreading lest the disturb
ance around the building might alarm and
agitate her invalid danphter ;nCormad ,ho |