Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-11-24
CLOSING SCENES IN HIS LIFE.

| This unfortunate man anticipated the sen
stabbng himself to the heart with q pei
knife. Every effort TO avert or postpone hi
execution was made in vain. The applica
lion TO the Governor by the committee mp
pointed at a meeting of members Of the bal
was unsuccessful. The reply of the Cover
nor was able, irIa, aud decided in the mega
tive.
An application to the chancellor was o.
tended with no better success. Ii is said that
Benjaman +. Butler sent to the chancellor
an opinion in favor Of the application. Th,
counsel for the prisoner addressed a pro
test TO the Sheriff, agains, the execution
on The grouud that The court was illegally or
ganized, and that its warrant would aifort
him no protection if lie carried it into effect
Attempts, it is said, were made to bribc scve
raj Of the deputy keepers, bot without sue
cess.
The following account Of the closing
scenes in the life Of this unfortunate man IL
from the n. Y. Commercial of Saturday af.
ernoon.
The gallows was erected cnrly in the
morning, directly under The coEvcl's window
The note of preparation attendant on this
work could be distinctly heard by all the
prisoners IN tho adjoining cells. The posi-
tion occupied by the galows was the same
given To II ot the execution Of Coleman and
Russell. Fifteen times. IL is said, this In-
strunent has done lis dreadful service. On
il was hung Peter Robinson of New Jersey,
and il is SAID that it has travelled as far as
Boston. There is no scatfud the culprii
stands on the ground, and is lifted up by
means of pullics and rope, 10 which il al
tachcd weight OF about $50 pounds. Tins
weight is held at the top of the cross piece
10y small cord, which Is cut by halchc,,
when the weight desccnds, aud the doumcd
viclIW is suspended with n suddrnness that
is supposed 10 destroy Al once all conscio US
ness.
The last night of the prisoner wns spent
III preparing an answer 10 Governor Stewards
letter, aud vndicaling himself from the guilt
of wliul murder. This letter was sealed, Ia
be kept for his child until il shall be old
enough TO understand its Contents.
The prisoner was first visited at half past
q o'clock by his brother; who remained in his
cell NJ this time but few minutes.
About 8 o'clock the crowd began to ns.
scmble round the entrances To the prison,
both in Franklin and Centre streets, and con.
'lnned to increase until sunset. Throughou,
The day Franklin street at the corner Of the
prison was completely blocked up.
The cagcrncss aud anxiety to gain admit.
tancc 10 the prison were very great. None,
however, were admitted except those who
had pass from The sheriff or one Of the po.
lice magistrates. AS the hour Of execution
was not known, most of those. who were en-
titled to admission entered ut an carly hour
and remained throughout the day. The
greatest number present n, any one time did
not probably exceed three hundred.
The Rev. DR.. Anthon was for long time
IN The cell with the prisoner, nnd leit him
alone 10 his own Reflections at about ~ o.
clock. few minutes before o'clock he
was visited by his counsel, David Graham,
Robert Emmct, and Dudley Sclden, Esqrs.
who remained in his cell about half an hour.
DIR. An'hon and Samuel Colt now entered
the cell, and made preparations for the prso-
ner's marriage. Ills brother soon left the
prison. and at ten minutes before twelve re.
turned with Miss iIcnshaw and John How.
ord Payne, ~ whose presence, with the ad-
dlll"n of the counsel, Justice Merritt and
The sheriff, the marriage ceremony was per.
Iormcd ~ that narrow cell by the Rev. DR..
Anihon. What n bridal scene The mar
rmgc ball prison cell The prospect from
HE bridal window the bridcgroom's gallows,
,n which he was sentenced TO die felon's
iea'h IN a few short hours. What an an,ic-
'a'lon for bride. Ere the set of sun to
MOURN over the ignominious grave of him
with whom her reputation and fortunes were
ust linked by the sacred ties Of love and
nairlmony!
Amer ihIs ceremony, the prisoner was left /
'lone with his bride for the space OF nearly
~ hour Their parting scene called forth H
lie tears OF spectators who were n!l unused
u ih' melting mood. lie kissed her, strained
'e: io hIs bosom for the last time as she lcli II
'ls door, and with eager eye and an aching
'eari. watched her recedlng form as she
AIDED from his sight H
AT Colts request. John Howard Payne
nd Lewis Gay lord Clarke, his persona
rends, were admitted TO bid him final
dirr. They remained in his cell bui few
minutes, aud then with tears took their fare.
veil leave, Samuel Colt then went through
he same painful and affecting scene, and
ell The prsnn with Caroline Colt. The pr
oner now desired Ia see the sheriff and ON.
halcaly denied To him any intention To kill
ADAMS. asserted with much feeling his III
occncc, and begged The sheriff To postpone
he execution. The sheriff told him i, was
nposslblc TO delay any longer TINT ~
,nst prepare himself to die at 4 o'clock. He
ow sci hIs watch accurately by the shcrf's,
nd requested To see The Clergyman. DR..
Inihon went into his cell aud remained about
~ minutes, cNhorllng him, at parting, Ia
Ie with Christian tnrlltudc. The prisoner
.rmcd calm aud determined, and said he
as prepared Ia die with frmncss.
Colt ih'n requested That he might be al
'wcd To take leave OF all present who de-
rcd io do so. Several persons went To his
'or, shook him by The hand, aud bade hun
rcwell.
The prisoner now desired 10 be left 10 him
'II nh'Il ms last nihulr-hls door was lock- II
at halt past two. A few minutes before
nee one oi the deputy sherlil's opened the Il
'or 10 see that ali was right, when Colt was
alkIng bis cell. lie was not seen again
i've.
The excitement among The spectators with
The prison walls, aud the crowd without,
I'd nearly reached It's height. The spec,a-
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