Litchfield enquirer., 1844-06-27
EXECUTION OF LUcIEN HALL, THE MUIR
DERER OF MRS. BACON.

DERER OF MRS. BACON.
We find in the New Haven Herald, particu-
lar account Of the execution Of this individual,
which took place at Middletown on Thursday, in
an enclosure seventeen feet BY teens erected out
side of the Jail for the occasion.
The Herald says -
About half past one o'clock, the different spec
tators being called in to this narrow enclosure the
murderer was brought in, dressed in q long white
robe, white cap on his head, turned up and capa-
bic Of being drawn down over his face when the
fatal moment arrived, and light slippers on his
feet, with no stockings. His arms were pinioned
tightly to his side, leaving from the elbow at hber
ty. He stopped and shook hands with several
friends, Mr.. Yale and others, who had shown him
kindness, after which he mounted the scaffold.
The prisoner is strong resolute looking fellow,
five feet ten inches high, and weighing about one
hundred and forty pounds-thoughin ordinary cir.
cumstances, and in good health would weigh about
one hundred and sixty pounds. He assembled the
ladder with firm and undaunted step, looked around
and traced the ropes and pullies to their various
fastenings.
The Rev. Horace Hills, Jr. (EpiscosaD then
mounted the platform and said he had been re-
uuested by the Prisoner to return his thanks to Mr.
Ward the jailor, Mr.. Galpin, and Mr.. Yale, for
their kindness during his imprisonment and to all
others who had been connected with him, asking
forgiveness from all as they hoped to be forgiven
Hall in the mean time held handkerchief to his
face and appeared to be affected with what was
said. The Rev. MIR. Hills then read the IL Psalm,
standing before the prisoner, after which the Rev.
Mr.. Howard [Baptistl assembled the Scaffold, Mr..
Hills having bid the culprit Farewell, and offered
up afervent prayer joined in by all present. Du-
ring these exercises Hall held handkerchief to
his eyesbut did not appear to shed tears.
Sheriff Arnold then requested him to rise, while
he read to him the warrant for his execution. sign
ed Thomas S. Williams, Presiding Judge. The
warrant was read at 90 minutes before o'clock
The Sheriff then asked him if he had any thing to
say he replied, &C have good deal to say, but do
not feel as if l could say it." He then took his
seat and groaned, but shed no tears. He then cal
led for some water with camphor, in it, which
was brought him. He looked around him rath-
er sulkily and said, sci think it strange that
any one should want to see in this situation"
After short pause he continued 6: don't feel as
if could die after all" Here he raised the knot of
the rope and laid it against his left ear. He then
further said, "I suppose there's no getting away
from this at any rate" Here he looked over the
front to see how far it was to the ground. The
rope was drawn tighter around his neck. He re-
marked, Sc that's to tight"
twas now about ten minutes before 2 o'clock.--
The sheriff told him that he would give him what
ever time he wanted, before the rope was cut. He
replied that he would like fifteen minutes and re-
quested that he might be, told five minutes be-
fore that time expired. He then called for a
Bible, which was brought to him, when he turned
to the 51st Psalm, and read it aloud. 1t was appro
priately chosen, and during the reading MIR. Yale
wept aloud.
IS Have mercy upon me, God, according to thy
loving kindness according unto the multitude Of
thy tenter mercies blot out my transgressions.
&c Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquty, and
cleanse me from my sin.
"For acknowledge my transgressions; and my
sin is ever before me.
"Against thee, thee only, have sinned, and
done this evil in thy sight; that thou highest be
justified when thou speakest, and be clear when
thou judgest,'' ct seq.
He then took the Prayer Book, which was hand
ed to him by Mr., Hills. He read the ''commenda-
tory prayer" in the visitation of the sick. After
reading the prayer. which ne did not read so well
as the psalm, he laid the book to his eyes few
minutes. and then looking at the preparations be-
ing made, said, ssgive me slack rope enough, Mr.
Arnold; don't think have enough" By this he
meant that he wished to have as much fall as pos
sble, that he might the sooner be put out of pain
In two or three minutes he said again, don't want
to be particular, but want more slack rope
The cap was then pulled down over his face, when
he remarked that It was tight, too tight The fif-
| teen minutes were now expired, and he was about
to be thrown off, when he said, 4" thought you
were going to-tell me five minutes before the time
expired" The sheriff said we will give you five
minutes more. One of the officers then called out
each minute as it expired-one, two, three, &C.
He here remarked that the rope was not properly
fixed, and that the knot ought to be nearer his
| chin,
As lifetime now rapidly approached he exclaimed
ssOh dear bid you all Farewell" Four" was
now called which told him that he had but min
ute to live. Trembling on the verge Of Eternity,
he exclaimed :" Good bye Mr.. Yale" MIR. Yale
| Cd hv huf
! body present, think of your Saviour You will soon
be taken from US. Look at your Saviour and fasten
all your hopes on him." Hall then said, 81 hope
! the world will take warning by this. 1t is hard
thing to die, after ALL" Just before the last min
ute expired, he exclaimed, " oh dear me God
Almighty have mercy on me-" These were his
last words. The rope was cut, the platform fell 1;
and with single exclamation Of " Oh % his spir-
il was released from the tenement in which it had
| been defled. Law was vindicated, and in its
| majesty stood over the liteless corpse but the
spirit was at the disposal Of him who gave it.
! The rope was cut about ten minutes past two
O'clock P. M. Ten minutes after the drop, pulsa-
| ton was dscernable, and minute afterwards his
| pulse had ceased entirely. He held the handker-
chief in his grasp till he was taken down.
| Mormon Outrage Renetved.-The Alton Tele-
graph Of last Saturday has the following:
A Deputy Marshal of the District of Illinois,
proceeded to Nauvoo few days since, with pro-
cess issued by the Judge of the District Court of
the United States for the arrest Of jeremiah Smith,
upon criminal charge of embeZzling money. The
| Deputy Marshal succeeded in arresting Smith !;
when "holy joe caused his follower to be taken
0ut Of the possession Of the United States oceran
brought before the Municipal Court OF Nauyoo for
| an examination under the writ Of hGbeGs corpus,
issued by that immaculate body. The Deputy in a
letter, states that the examination was to come of