Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1845-02-20
Execution of John Gordon,

On Friday last, the 18th inst, John
Gordon was executed in the yard Of the
States Prison, at Providence, for the
murder Of the late Amasa Sprague, Esq
Gordon was convicted last March be-
fore the Supreme Court in Providence
County, and on mo,ion Of his counsel, he
was not sentenced until the ensuing Sep
tember term OF the Court the mos,
strenuous efforts were made by his friends,
a, the la;e session oflhe Legislature, to
procure for him reorisve, until after the
trial of his brother Nicholas, next month,
who is indicted as accessory before the
fact. But the evidence was so clear
against him, and the murder so atrocious
and heart-rending, that the Legislature
refused to interfere in The matter, par
ticularly as his brother had been once
tried; although the jury did not agree on
verdict still, il is presumed all the
testimony that had the least favorable
bearing upon The case, was brought for
ward at that trial, and much of il went
to excuIpate John, or to show that he was
innocent.
Early on Friday morning, men, women
aud children began to gather around the
Prison, and on the adjoining hills, al
though they could sec nothing, as the
execution took place within the prison
walls, in conformity TO the laws Of the
State many of those outside were the
friends and countrymen (lrish) of the
doomed man. About thirty Of his rela'
tions and particular friends were admitted
within the walls, by the Sheriff of the
County, Roger w. Potter, Esq. and
about as many more, consisting mostly o
| ply ysicians, members Of the bar, &C..
were also present, by invitation, to wit.
ness the execution.
The mother and brothers Of Gordor
were admitted to his cell at 10 O'Clock
and they, together with the Catholi.
Priest who has attended him since hi
conviction, remained with him until | O.
clock, the hour fixed upon for his execu
ton. The Sheriff then informed GordoI
that the hour had arrived, and aske'
him if he was ready, to which he replie'
in the affirmative. They then CAM
forth from the cell the prisoner wa
clothed very neatly in his ordinary attire
and also in white gown, and whit
cap upon his head ; his hair was CT
quite short, and nicely arranged, and hi
face entirely shavep, his shirt collar wa
also turned low in his neck. The fare
, we'll scene between the mother an
son, in the corridor Of the prison, Wa
indeed very affecting and heart-rending
. one of his brothers was also very muc
!, affected, though Nicholas parted wit
= him, without any manifestation OF feeling
= Gordon, accompanied by the Priest an
the Sheriff then passed into the yard, ar
mounted the scaiold his bearing wi
d erect, and his step firm, and not IT
o slightest emotion was pictured on h
counte nance, or manifested by hir
sr save that he was very pale. The halt
y was put around his neck, and the Prizes
placing his hand on his shoulder saI'
r. "Haue courage, John you are going
W appear before a just and merclm Judg
- You are going 10 join myriads Of 20
IN mariyred eouni,ymea, who, like you, 1e
p sacrificed al The shrine Of bigoiry a
.. prejudice. Forgire your enemies"
'' Gordon replied as follows ;--"IJr'
en- iy forgive all my enemies, they know
d. rhat they do" The remarks of I
20 priest, spoken in n Iond voice, as 'h
:" were, and on such an occaslon, had
powerful effect upon the doomed mai
% The words mean more than one wp'
on think at first sight, aud spoken as til
were TO catholic, and an lrisbm'
y. they of course, at such fearful nome
called to his mind the memory Of T.
my melt, and the other martyrs Of lrela'
:. To us, however, they seemed like sac
odllere. The deslh-warrant having be
;. read by the Sheriff, he asked Gordon
he he was ready, to which he replied Z
y" he was, and in the ,winklins Of an G
Il ......Lt. 80, q. N 4. ushrred ,nto