Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-11-12
Execution nj the Yard Arm.

We publish below an account Of the execution Of a
sailor on board the u ). soop-ofwa ST. Mays Of Vera
Cruz Il must have been most appalling sight; and 1t
seems 20 act of most unmitigsied barbarty. We
hope that this matter will not be passed without nves
by our national rulers The offence was that he
Of the ofeers-PehsPs some petty yrsnt who
had outraged the feeling OF the humble marine. The
f,gging Of soldier death Hounslow. London.
few months ago. aroused the whole British nation in
condemnation Of an act 90 ve. The matter was brought
up in Parliament aud committee appointed to IN
vesgate it, who reported in favor of aholshing hoggng
altogether in The army. We trust that the American
Congress will this matter. IL poor fellow Is to be
strung up by the neck at the yard arm, by virtue OF
Court Martial, for offence comparatively tr'hing,
time the criminal code Of navy remodelied and
received an infusion Of humanity.
Read the following account from the N. Y. Tribune,
and say il have any particular right to take England to
task for severe Aoggng in the army I'LL we less brutal
ourselves
Orr vEnA CRuz. Sept. 25th, 1876.
sailor named Samuel Jackson, belonging to the soop
St. Mays was to-day hanged at the yard arm pursuant
the sentence Of Court Martial before whom he had
been tried for striking man named Taylor-one OF the
officers Of that ship.
The preparations for the execution numerous and
solemn regular programme having been issued BY Com
modors Conner, and circulated through the squadron
several days previously.
All labor in the different vessels forbidden for the
day. and the crews were directed their holiday
attire At IL A. NJ the signal, Prepare to execute the
m zen Of the Cumberland when yellow flag was hoisied
at the fore yard Of the ST. Mays. The officers and
of all the vessels the anchorage then mus
tered on deck and distributed in such places would best
enable them take much Of the spectacle in view as
possible.
Here they kept the tpoc Of anticipation for
than half hour when the same signal that be-
fore mentioned h,sted, without the "preparative
and the curiosity of the spectators was very materially
enhanced thereby. In few moments mere the victim
made his appearance the "topgasn forecse OF the
ST. Msrys attended by three officers and the Mas
teratArms of the ship, and by Rev. Fitch w. Taylor,
Chaplain of the Cumberland. Stepping the forscaste
railing the scs1d which had been erected there for
the occasion, the prisoner seated himself on the railing,
apparently Of nervous deficiency. The ma
chnery fitted up for the principal act simple, but
strong and effective. thick rope through a
block at the yard leading along the yard into the
the foremast, where it through another block, and
was made fast to weight Of four hundred pounds
After additional minutes of suspense had been in
iced upon the thousands of spectators. fash issued
from the gun which the scaod had been raised and
at the same instant human form seen flying in a
curved line through the air with astonishing velocity
When the body reached the yard arm great had been
the impulse that The check threw il pependculary into
the air. feet upward, and rebounded against the "fores
it passed the fore brace, split the halter block, and
them after few violent vibrations. it assumed the usual
dangling attitude of hanging man!