Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-10-25

sion OF Lewis Wilbur, q murderer, who
was hanged at Morrisvile few DAYS since.
The following is an account of his execu-
ton -
The prisoner met his fate with much
more calmness and fortitude than was ex.
pected His religious advisers had labored
with great assiduity to fortify his mind for
the awful catastrophe which awaited him,
and when his shackles were taken off he
arose and with a arm step walked into the
hall Of the jail, where preparations had been
made for his execution The sheriff soon
adjusted the rope about his neck, and he was
almost instantly launched into eternity. In
stead of being dropped from aascaffod, he
was drawn up by weight, which was at.
tached to the other end ofthe rope that pas
sed over two pullies mortised into a beam,
which was inserted above the stairs He
drew up his shoulders twice after he was
drawn up, which was the only sign of life
he exhibited A large concourse of people
assembled about the Jail, although The exc.
cution was private.
The following extracts from his CONFESS
SION, show that the murderer had lived in
the State Of Maine:-
then became acquainted with Mr. Will.
lam Wilson, of Maine. to whom | hired
and went with him home, and worked on
farm until the 25th OF August 1887. While
at work in the field the bloody crime came
into my head; and then resolved that
would get my living by robbing. and went
and asked settlement. and although he
could not pay me all, l left him and came
on 10 Thomaston. and took the stage to Bath.
and then took the steamboat to Boston From
Boston took the stage to Albany, when
fell 10 with MIR Barber. who was on his
wayto Syracuse TO get married, as he told
me-
From Albany we took the cars, and when
we reached Utica, then determined to take
the life of Barber to get his money
No convenient time was offered till we
got TO New Boston, where we arrived on
the morning Of the Both August, in the boat
Oliver Newbury. We then went to the
tavern and got something to drink, and |
proposed to the old man that there was a
nearer way 10 Chittenango; and we started
across the bridge and went into the woods
where the fatal deed was done.
stepped before the old man, aud presen-
ted pistol, which was not loaded, and told
him to deliver his money. The old man
replied, thought you was my friend, Tor a
fine MANI He asked me to spare his life.
which promised, if he would deliver his
money, which he drew from his pocket !;
and | told him to throw the pocket book and
purse down to my feet; which he did
then told him to lie down with his face to
the ground. and not to look up for half an
hour he complied, and l then took and
raised up his coat and gave the fatal stab,
which was probably repeated as testified.
but l was frightened don't know what |
did; but have never seen pistol or knife
since, aud presume tina: they are sill there
or near there. a. s..aa sa
| started away, and then TUNED and took
up large stone and threw it on his head,
for lenr he was not deud though | was so
fraid OF him that dare not go any nearer
TO him.
[ then started on towards Judd's tavern.
On my way threw down the pocket book
and purse near a fence. after taking the
money from them, in all about $780,
When r got to Judds. | was very Thirsty
and got a glass ofcider, and then went up
the tow path to Bolivar, where took the
boa, on 10 Buhalo-and then went on to
Cleveland.
After remaining few days in Cleveland.
I started for the South. then fell in with
young man, whose name cannot reco-
lect After passing nine miles beyond
ChiIicothe. proposed buying small boat
in which he could carry large box Of
goods which he had. | was satisfied that
be had several hundred dollars and this
would afford me an opportunity of getting it
in some way We made the purchase OF
the boat, and got under way down the Sciota
river when the sun was about an hour high.
That night | determined to take his life
il a suitable opportunity offered; accordingly
when ii became so dark he could not see
objects that might be in the way, we hone
too" and put up for the night. far from any
house, and agreed that one should keep
watch while the other slept. lay down
, and slept the first part Of the night, and he
the latter part Then walked to the bank
ofthe river, where prepared my pistol for
the sud work oftaking his life | came up
with the determination to do il, but on see-
ing him wrapped up in some blankets and
sleeping SO soundly. the horrors connected
with Barber's death flashed upon me with
such force, | was compelled TO turn away
from the spot.
Three times did go with the determine
ton to take his life. and rob him OF the
money and goodsibui as often failed.
Morning came, and felt angry with my
self all day that had let so favorable an
opportunity pass But the next night was