Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-04-27
CAPITAL PUNISHMENTS.

some of the objections which have Leen
urged against the infection Of capital pun
iShment, and which offer striking inStan-
ces Of the way in which the infection Of
an unjust law inevitably recoils upon the
society having resource to it, first noticing
the acknowledged effect of executions in
exciting the destructive irpulse coupled
with the initiative tendency, which is, in
a greater or less degree inherent in every
human mind.
|! has been stated says the writer, in the
House Of Commons, upon the most I'M
questionable testimony, that out Of l76
persons who had been executed during a
certain period, 164 had been present at
executions. The Ordinaries of Newgate
affirm, that it is very rarely that any one
suffers at the Old Bailey, who has not pre-
viously been a witness at 4 similar scene.
The following is stated TO have been
the scene at the execution of the two men
named Bishop and Williams, on the 9th Of
December 1881. BY daybreak it was es
tmated that not fewer than $4,000 per-
sons were assembled. Before proceeding
to the SCaffod, both prisoners confirmed
their confessions. Bishop mounted first.
The moment he made bis appearance, the
most dreadful yells and hooting were heard
among the crowd. Williams was then ia
ken out, and the groans and Kisses were
renewed. he moment the drop fell, the
mob, who had continued yelling and shout
ing gave three tremendous cheers!
I pom the degree Of moral feeling excl
ted by such occasions, the fact that in the
above instance the mob, consisting of 3d.
600 persons, gave " several tremendous
cheers' at moment when the two unfor-
tunate beings Of race where all are SIM
full, were launched into the presence of an
eJerlal God, is fearful commentary.
The Metropolitan Magazine for March,
1911, the natural results which arises from
these exhibitions. 1t was that of heal
thy, robust, independent gentleman, who
went some years since with the Sheriff
into the Interior Of Newgate to visit ma
lelactor who was to be executed that same
day. After the drop had fallen, he went
with others to the break fast table; where
he could think Of nothing but the execu-
ton which he had witnessed; and before
he left he desired TO see the rope with
which the man had been hung. 1t may be
mentioned, that it was not an execution of
common occurrence. Possessing one rope
it subsequently, occurred to him, as the
next much-talked Of execution was to take
place that he would also have a rope used
on that occasion. In the occurrence of a
short time, he had a collection Of ropes,
Tabled and deposited carefully in a draw
er. About two years after the pencham
for collecting ropes used at executions ma
infested itself, it was observed by his
friends that that his conversation frequent
" :urneG on the subject of the executions
ne had Witnessed, and the success he had
met with in securing such number Of
ropes; which he usually brought out to
exhibit to his friends, eXpiating on the
comparative merits or dement's of the
sufferer, until at length his society be-
came unbearable, and he received the So
briquet OF the man with the pensilc idea
He lived about fourteen years after wit
Messing the first execution; at last putting
an end TO his own life, by suspending his
own body with one OF the ropes he had
purchased from the common hangman.
The Cincinnati Chronicle states that BIZ
shop Purnell has purchased a large lot in
that city; on which are to be erected new
Roman Catholic Cathedral, Orphan House,
and Hospital. A church for the accomo-
dation Of German Catholics is also TO be |
commenced this season al Cincinnati.
The editor Of the Maine Cultvator has |
received pair of large hens from Rus
sia--said 10 be prolific layers and excellent
poultry. Chandelier 'can stand by the
side Of -four barrel, and eat corn, with
oo.a c-oro Tia tor -