, 1842-04-23

!, HE responding. AT The conclusion
of the PRAYER, the prisoner shool
hands with the Sheriff. and those il
his immediate vicinity, kissed the
Priests, and then, with an unfalterine
step, assembled the gaIlows, alone
Here, standing on the fatal platform
he looked unconcernedIy around, ex.
amined the gallows with his eyes and
smiled. A glass Of water was handed
him by the deputy Sheriff, when he
laughed and said he wanted fresh wa.
ter. As he seemed to forget his aw
ful situation, the priest admonished
him by saying, Nicholas think of thu
God The water taken from the
hydrant in the yard was then handed
him and he drank heartily. At this
period the hangman suddenly appear.
ed dressed in a tattered disguise, with
a black mask over his face. The
people shrank back in disgustswhen
the execute ner entered upon his d.
ties, and ascending the steps proceed.
ed to fasten the rope to the cross
beam, pinion the hands of the.prison-
er. and draw the cap over bis face.
Now, for the first time, did the
prisoner exhibit any emotion or men,
tai suffering. He stoope' ward,
so ,hat the rope was dravkf t.s.;-and
in this posture remained apparently
engaged in agonizing prayer, his
whole frame shaking with emotion.
for neal two minutes, when, all mat
tiers being arranged, The prop was
taken away and the platform fell. A
single shudder was ~percep,ihle, and
the body swung without exhibiting
another sign Of life or suffering.
The report that the prisoner wish.
ed the execution deferred 10 the last
moment is erroneous. The contrary
is the fact.
After remaining suspended near
three quarters Of an hour, the body
was taken down. and carried 10 the
room which it occupied before man
took away the life which God gave.
Here ii was LAID upon tie bed, and
subjected 10 the knives Of certain
physicians, for the purpose of ascer-
tanning the important fact, as to
whether the neck was broken.-
This they decided in the negative.
the body was then carried down. de-.
posted in 4 coffin, and, escorted bv
the military and q large number Of
people, conveyed to Pot,er's field.
and buried.
Thus terminated the life Of Nicho-
las Reinhardi;-th the murder Of Coured
Christ was illcgal-,his was accord.
ing 10 lar.
The prisoner throughout the closing
scene, (as indeed throughout his con.
finement.) exhibited an indifference.
and unconcern, totally INCOMPATIBLE
&IiFFdfTua appreciation of his ter
rlble situation. This may have been
constitutional, bu, we h; We
every reason, from our professional
Interco IrSc. to know that this misera.
bic mar was, if not hardened in crime,
least OF gross and debased mind,
ignorant, and devoid of feeling--but
this. alas. is no reason for that SAN
culinary law, the relic Of heathenism
and barbar ", which demands the
sacrifice OF life for life. Rather al
ford to such an me-. duringa life Of
solitary confinement, time for repen-
lance.
A large concourse Of People visit
ed tie borough, and some few, by
climbing on the houses adjoining the
lall and ascending the Lutheran
Church steeple, managed to regale
with Il sight of the execu-
ton. The others congregated about
jail ward, waiting for rumors of
performances within. The three
Military Companies of the borough
paraded in great strength, and during
execution kept guard at the Jail.
We must not conclude without
giving Sheriff Esterly due praise for
The humanity and kindness towards
the prisoner displayed by him through
out this important and trying duty.
the whole period of the in
Drlsonment of the men accused of
murder, his position has been one of
much trouble and annoyance. That
ne has acquitted himself in such a
manner as to give satisfaction to the
is the best evidence of his fit
ness for his responsible duties.
BANKRUPT DEcisroN.-Judge Heath
Of Baltimore, has decided, in a case in
a confined debtor was brought