The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-07-25
From the Burlington (IowO) Gazette, July 10.
Execution.
Execution.

Execution.
Stephen and William Hodges, broth
ers. cxpiaed their crimes in this place on
Tuesday last, on the gallows, in the pre-
sence of an immense concourso Of spec
lators.
The criminals were taken from the Jail
in a wagon, seated upon their collins, and
having their shrouds on. They looAed
pale bu, with the exception of this, there
were no manifestations Of terror al the fate
that was about to overlake them. About
to die the death of ielons. they seemed
determined 10 meet their fate wilhou, ex-
hibilng any signs Of fear or weakness
Indeed, if lhe seemingly dogged indlller-
ence manifested by them justiIies us in
using such language, il may be doubted
whether an instance ever occurred in
which men similarly situated exhibited
more nerve and resolution. Nor did this
firmness, if it may be so called, fail them
al any one time /; for throughout all the
various preparations, even TO the moment
when the drop fell, ii was manifested.
The prisoners were attended by the
Rev. clergy of the town. Arrived at the
scene of execution, they engaged in re-
ligious exercises appropriate to the occa-
sion; after which both the criminals adj
dressed the audience, and declared their
innocence of the crimes laid to their
charge and for which they were about 10
offer up their lives. The youngest
Siephen-was exceedingly violent in his
gcs,culation, and bitter and even vindic-
tive in his words. He reflected on the
jury misrepresented the Judge-and
predicted that the people would be visi-
ted by Divine wrath for his death. lie
avowed his willingness TO die, and bore
testimony TO the kind treatment extended
TO him since his confinement both by the
sheriff and jailor. The other brother
Wiliam-spoke in subducd voice, and
in different spirit; but he also protes-
ted his innocence Of shedding blood. lie
said he died at peace with the world, and
believed he was about entering upon a
glorious immortality.
Further religious exercises were en-
gagged in and kept up till near 3 o'clock,
the hour appointed for the execution.
About twenty minutes before the arrival
Of this hour the ropes were arranged round
the necks Of the convicts, the caps drawn
over their faces, and the drop fell. Ste
phen's death must have been instantanc-
Gus, as he was not seen 10 move mus
Gle. His neck was broke. William
struggled for few minutes, and then all
was over. Their bodies were taken to
Nauvoo on the same evening, at the re-
quest Of themselves and their sister,
We should do wrong to close this brief
account of the first execution which ever
took place in the southern portion of Iowa,
and the second in the Territory, without
bearing testimony TO the manly 6rmness
with which the sheriff of our county, Mr..
M'Kenny, met and discharged the un-
pleasant duty which the law devolycd up
on him. Ever since the prisoners were
brought 10 our county for trial he has had
a most severe responsibility resting upon
him, but he did not shrink from its dis.
charge. The warm appreciation with
which his conduct throughout is spoken
of by his fellow citizens is the best re-.
ward he can covet, and the only one he
can receive.