Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-08-16

EXECUTION AT TAUNTON, Mass Ben.
jamin Cummings, convicted in May last Of
the murder Of Asa Clark, Jr. on the 23d
Oct. 1888, underwent the last sentence of
the Jaw on Wednesday last, at Taunton.
From the Boston Post we lcarn the follow
ing circumstances Of the case:
Cummings for many years past had been
q boisterous, dlsspaied fellow; and was
once cent to the State Prison for stabbing
and severely woundng one Perry, whom
he suspected of making familiar advances
to his wife. This sentence placed brand
upon his character, VIII CHI he took no pains
to effacc after his release from prison, but
returned TO his former dlssolule course of
life; and in August, 1888, Asa Clark. senr.,
constable, obtained warrant against him
as a common drunkard, but instead Of ecr-
wing it, kept it suspended over him, in ter
rorem, to make hun be of good behavior
| Cummings knew the warrant was out
az anst him, and frequently threatened to
resist its service at all hazards, either with
club. an axe, or knife, which ever might
be at hand at the time Clark, or any other
officer. approached him. On the night of
Oct. 23-,be younger Clark was killed.
Cummings went home to his residence, at
Slab. bridge, Freetown, intoxicated, with
some dlsslpated cronies, and began 10 quar-
rel with his wife. and drove her from his
honse. Something dropped from some of
| the party, which led The wife to suppose
| that Cummings meant 10 attack Clark 8
house. aud she caused HIM TO be warned Of
| her suspicious. After this Cummings
went up the road towards bis brother s
house, and, when passing his mother-in-
| laws, threw some stones at 1t. The elder
| Clark then called in the assistance of his
son Asa, and some others, for the purpose
o. arrestlng Cummings on his return
towards home. Thee lay in Ambush near
Clark's house, and on Cummings return,
about half past 10, young Clark aud one
Rogers approached to seize him, OLD Clark
having IN the meantime snapped his gun at
| him once or twice without effect. The
first actual attack was made by young
| Clark, who felled him, and then both
Clark and Rogers got down upon him to
secure him. A desperate struggle ensued
IN which Cummings freed himself, and,
upon getting up Clark found himself cut in
the abdomen, and MORALLY wounded.
On the morning of his execution, the
following declaration was made by the prs.
oner as his last dying words:
81 left my brothers. about half past ter
II left him at home, as he swore 10 court
When | got little past CIark,s house.
| heard a number behind. | kent along
and Ciark's son followed me--he KEEP,
within four feet Of me Till we gol near my
own house. | then heard the old man say
- Knock him down, XIII him If you con
My gun won't CO. When the old mar
said this. he was nearly opposite the schoo
house, and his son by my sIde-neither o
US had spoken up to that time. He struck
me with club. found the club the mex
morning. 1t was of white ash. The frs
nor second blow did not bring me down.
the third blow knocked me down, and ht
Jumped on my breast. Rogers. who hst
come up, fell upon my feet to keep INT
down. yong Clark being still on my breast
| was only down n few minutes before
cleared myself from them. When go
away about two or three rods, | heart
some one say, my CUTS are running out.
| suppose 1t was Clark who SAID this.
had my axe with me when they came VI
next day. II was narrow axe. such a
they use about kitchens. had no knife
am sure had 90 knife. Old Clark ha
always been meddIesome with me-"
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