Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-02-23
Fren tAe Ka,eksrkocksr.
A CAPITAL STORY OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

/
brute OF Duchmau, who. tempted he said. by de
and de Tuyie committed the horrible crime Of numbering
his wife. There existed that time, aud for ought that
know to the present period. law in the state OF Ohio
that criminal found guilty Of murder might n was
pressed have bery OF choice between hanging mprs
onment for life. Consequently homieides had taken
the privilege OF drawing their necks from the aud
had chosen the liberty Of being dpred o liberty duriug
their natural lives But puehman, FROM sheer obsti
and contempt advice loudly declared that he rather
be hung. The Cucnnstans. like all other enlightened
people, love ride excitement; aud the city d.
vided against itself the hanging question with the same
spirit and sincerity would have been contested
election. There hanging and ant-hanging tea par
ues, hanging and anti hanging chuehes and the snhang
ragged ousy against the hangers for their blood thrs
tness and obedience. the commandments while the
hangers loudly denounced the hangers immortal
innovais who would destroy the constitution and uproo
civilization. The old suddenly found himself the
interesting person that had been in Cincinnati
and received several Populations every day shake
firm decision; but nfsxibs Prvmelheus tho rock
he firmly adhered the hanging. At that Time Silence had
not lifted her many eyed head in every town and
village and any who could say few words
such subjects looked upon with small wondet A
young ScOtehman was then the oracle who pronounced
sentence ali the and 'Joyes, To the astonsh-
of the towns people, that small head could carry
all he knew. Professor kimsrnvck of the
His whole thoughts bent the physical sciences aud
he continually eIpsuatng in ali places, foe his mind
reverted to the with whom he dscoused aud
consequently cntey dsrcgarded their capacity OF fitness
for the subject. On .lscuicity gayansm magnetism
he would talk by the hour; aud maIeted little whether
his auditor child and old negro. elderly lady
In his personal appearance he a laughao,c looking
obec, enough 6st SIGHT, but short acquaintance with
him changed ridcue into respect; tor have said
he, nj the nd nd lf
men, and would do oil HE power serve any human be
ing.
One day. when he usual running over his notes on
Gayanism, friend, who a bat OF wAg suggested TO
him what proNidcns thing II would be hun II the old
DuIchmsn TO be hanged, as he would then have
opportunity OF eGlghenng the Cincinnatians with
hblion ui tina, wonderful science and likewise OF putting
a considerable in his pocket. Struck with this
new plan Tor the diffusion OF science, he was Instantly
converted iron violent auti hanger a sincere
'nangvr lie pnstsd Oft To the old man, with that
for the good c the public he would will his BODY which
he per,uenty remarked would be 'of further the
owner hn, tor the benefit and instruction OF his fell
iowcitzens 'Yaas said t-e old man. you may have nv
poJr body; ash You say, 4 will do god; but while
she live, SHE 81 hayesome rum, aud leete so
he entered sgeemenr that he would sell hrs body
for nifty dollars ~ hand quart o daily and
quart The day feNccutOn. They shook hands
Bargain and impossible say which was the
pleased In a few days now clanlan appeared, in the
person vi the old mans who being suddenly seized
with rapid growth Of al affection, declared that his
feelings would allow him his fathers body chucked
about that way for hOlhng" Fifty dollars were
offered his acefa;ed feelings shrunk back their
ORIGINAL dimensions; and leaving, he acknowledged that
six hoss and Two which he intended TO buy
the money, worth mrfe IN hts estmaon than old
dead BODY; which, he said, would take something 10
buy IT, legal friend observed that all that required
had yet that the appreciation the sheriff
necessary. Thi, however easily secured; fu.
that olhee said me did mp what became OF the
body, he could only hnd substitute. and draw himself
out Oi the hangng;1 It did Mt become deacon OF
church 10 be iumbIng the halter with mans head in
H.
The Professor set TO work and manufactured
ga anic battery which the crowded inspect
tie in'omed them ihItIt would work IN such manner.
and that thea the would do thus, and again So unul
they had derived perfect comprehension, through
eessIun OF lucid thuss and 'SDs Of the whole csnabty
OF the wonderful machine The mischief loving wag
VINO hrt set the Professors wits gadding, told him thar
he would probably have the greatest audience that had
ever gathered together IN Cincinnati he ought select the
largest building IN town, and secure Tor their reception.
Tie advised him apply without delay the Reverend
Dr. asun tot the loan Oi the PTesby eIiau Chuch The
credulJus Professor tkg into the
n-Icu business OF such request, started Directly for the
Dpcto house, AID asked TO see I'm bu-
sin-ss. Klmarknp stated erraud 10 the worthy d-
vlne, VINO heing jealous anti hanger. and having
powerful sermons which he bought ought
To have brought the whole city his opinion was at
first struck dumb VITA what he considered
insult well a sacrl,egious Proclamation But
the PfOiesso mAkng the pause for OF consde.st o.
poured form torrent OF what he supp sed
Rument; each aciirg gressT shock the Doctors
eNcIt' feeling, und adding fresh fuel &C. Beirg
neas GIFTED, he cd not first perceive the nl1msd and
swollen counteuance of the who being extremely
tat, and Oi chJlcrc temperament, looked hEc an sud
denly seized with TIT of apoplexy Al length he found
WORDS 20 eNcalm: DO you think would turn the House
OF Con into Butchers shop-a dissectng room! Out of
my house this instant SIR
But return: AS the lime appointed FOR the execution
drew nigh, many people prophosed the duchman's
resolution would evapors'e; but lie for an instant
wayered lie seemed take q siranz- mud
interest IN all the prrPiratons inq1nrg every day If the
scai'd was ereced; whether the sheriff had got subu
tute, and how much he had Sgreed pay HIM etc When
answered Ia the aDirmIiye the old wretch would chuckle
with hoblc gee, and say himsei, 'Gooi! gouii The
eVenul dar at engh arrived, which the law end HE own
will had decided should be his Lass Early that morn
ing he was remarking to the ikeepor that as it was
his last Breakfast, he should expect good ons when N
that moment kImnrnOck entered YES, said the Pro-
lessor BIe nm boiled chicken, hOe-cako and gvde
cup fe and interrupted the old man. plenty tobark
err 'Ay; ohmed the Professor and some tobacco:
the pure aud creature should haze every Thing he
moo, nnd make me 'spCnsible for the ndrbie Iness'
There had been. believe, hang ng in Cincin
natl before and the her had erected q "a lows with
an mPrOvod'Ta the whole painted black and fam arly
denomnsted The Sheu's Bl1ck Drop In every part Of
the cb were posted IN large hand bills, announcing that
Professor kmMnpck, from Gla.glw. for the oucdaon
oi science. l1end,d g7s at the Ccu., whc. had been
hired Of an immense expense { the OCCASION an exhibit
ION u ho wonderful sd'noo at RIyunIsm ~ which dead
man would be made perform oil the movements Of which
living capable. Midday was tho hour set for
the executions; aud by that time the which tho
quarter Of mile IN degsc they packed
indeed, that when the arrived with the unhappy
ne and his attendants mad to aght snd walk the gaows
Many o the clergy and other benevolent persons took ad
vantage OF this opp irtunyi aud with feeling and oo
quence besought the guilty 10 have pity himself
and evenat that late hour to accept Of prosed mercy
They told him inat beyond expression awful that
unfepsnung sinner with red murder his head, should Of
his own Tree will plunge hcld ing into the fire. that
quenched that by such abhorent act he would be gull
Of two mufde, and b. held accountable for them the
day Of Judgment Professor kilmarnock and et il be
noted in TIE Psychological work that enthusiasm can
thus otter man's uua di-pOsuonl igeted about o. un
caFy pea drum head; aud intervals heard to
oacuatc Gang up, my guide mon, gang up; IT'S ma sc
bad piac'" ia tie old Duicnman gave neither heed nor
ear 10 any one;he prcsorei logged silence aud the
hIst 10 make 10 ascend. When they reached the
top Of the scaiyd. the sheriff asked him Il he would
Ike tue attendance O a mniserl The unhappy wretch
shook his head then pointed the rope, then
toned TO have placed round his neck. This dreadful"
said the humane sheriff, but u DO done. Alsngth
oil arranged, and the attendants had taken their last
leave ibe criminal, when he bcckoned them back: Il