Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1845-05-15
. Iron. tas NJ y. San Of Tigadaga Z 1TIII

EAECU1IUN OF JAMES EAGEk tOk HE
"oil MURDER OF PHILLIP WILTfAMSflfFt
This day between the hours Of - and 2 O'clock,
this unfortunate man paid the highest penalty Of
claw, for the murder of Phillip Williams, at a
sailors boarding house In Roosevelt street--every
attempt to obtain communication Of his punishment
having failed II Z oyn
cember williams got up early, and d man With him,
The man stepped to get glassof water, Williams
went out but instantly retreated back into the room
and exclaimed ssEager has stabbed mep He fell,
and almost instantly died. The prisoner stated,on
being accused Of it, that he wanted to kill one more
person and then he would die happy. s..a ., ~
In his defence, the trial, il was admitted that
he had killed Williams, but it was owing 70 atsus-
picion that his wife had been unfaithful and bis
friend treacherous. The jury convicted limo
murder, but recommended him to the sympathy of
the Court.
From the date of his sentence March 2l) till the
middle Of April, he entertained hopes Of repreve,
new trial or communication Of sentence TO imprison-
1nent for life. His legal and spiritual advisers hav
ing informed him that no hope of escape remained,
ne sought the consultations Of religion and was at
tended by several clergymen Of the Roman Caiho-
lic Church, in which faith he had been instructed
IN his youth, but in mature years he neglected his
Church and associated with those who despised fei
digion.l He was also attended by Ministers Of 9TH
er churches. Theconvict manifested contriton for
his heinious offence and expressed the greatest
Germ for his eternal welfare. gaiae5 ~ il9ysM
The ministers of religion were daily attendants
in his lonely cell, instructing him in the means of
eternal salvation. 3@stts 53s2 5a99si : a2lGR
The necessary preparations having been made in
the yard Of the prison. the scafold was CONSTRUCTED
on Thursday night and put up early this morning.
w Prisoner appeared pale and care worn, but re-
signed. The last solemn rites of religion having
been administered to him, message was received
from the officer Of the law announcing the APP
preaching Of the hour Zone o'clocky fixed for the
execution. Refreshments were brough in Of which
utte prisoner partook sparingly. dpa, II ) al I'm
The number of persons present at the awful GER
emony was not very large, but an intenseinterest
was manifested, and the space around the prison
was crowded by an immense assemblage from ear
,lyoin the morning. The unfortunate prisoner was
most iiterae person, being entirely unable eth
er to read or write Rev. George HAITI, Baptist
clergyman, has for some time been in constant at
tendance with him-last night he sat up allnIght,
and the time was mostly employed in prayer and
devotion. In reply to question of the Revsig gem
tleman if he was not tired and would not rest Pr
tfNo replied Eager, Iacl rest Tomorrow nightt'
Mr. HIATT informed usthat the prisoner was perfect
ly penitent-that he acknowledged the Justice Of
his dreadful doom, and that he was prepared To
meet it with resignation. The prisoner wished
that all might take warning by his example, shun
evil and dissipated companions and beware of in
temperance He attributed his fate to thespse, of
intoxicating liquors. The only dread he seemed to
have was that be must die before so many persons,
and he repeatedly requested that the few who were
about his cell might be removed Hisre9erend at
tendant is deserving Of rnnch sympathy and credit,
for his part in fulfilling his melancholy duty. He
was assisted by the Rev Mr.. Camp and Rev. Mr..
Harris, with whom the prisoner frequently Joined
in singing andprayerduring the morning, He was
ready in his reply to all questions and seemed far
removed from any thing like the feelings of despair.
although he constantly expressed his reinorse for
the act, and seemed to look forward with much res
ignation to his future condition. In at least an
hour before the ceremony, he spoke of little else
than tbis subject and manifested the utmost inter-
est 70 learn any thingsvhch could Be told him Of
an hereafter He mentioned that agreat feeling Of
regret ever since he had committed the dreadful
deed. was that the person he had murdered was
his friend He could have horne HIS fee better
had Il been any oue else. HIS Dersonai anf3
is decidedly unfayorable, being that Of debssed
nor mt looking creature W. strong bilious Hem
permanent; he seemed quire feebie. -arrurge=-
ments generally werewolf Conducted, and the VAR
ious officers seemed much affected-+.wesaw more
than one Of them in tears during the morning., It
was indeed awful and melancholy to hearthe songs
echoing throughout the lofty prison Every zone
seemed stiiIed with the sad reality Of the occasion.
The execution was protracted almost az long as
possible, with the hope that reprieye might. ar
rive from the Governor at Albany. @ai995
~. AS he passed the cell Babe, the doofvas open
oed and he shook hands with him, he was slighlyaf-
fected The concourse arrived in the yard. and
the procession wentto the gallows. RAftyrR 4
The prisoner arrived at the gallows with Rev.
looked around at the special ,rs and then at the gal
lows, which he assembled feebly, aided BY those in
attendance y G9s n Sa u 830sss
q. s. Mr, HIATT asked him to join in prayer. to which
n IN e &.