The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1849-02-27
TIE DEATH PENALTY.

liE DGh "A GlNhhA -
Horrible account of a Irgalised Murder III
Williams County, Ohio, ,Shich took PIace
en- Friday, the 26th nh. W
II We are at times pu. TO blush for the
crimes Of our fellow beings, We are oitcn
shocked at the barbar,ies Of our rco, who,
10 retaliate one rrime, commit another mo-
less offensive in the sight Of God and man.
We refef 10 the barbarous custom Of strang-
ling man to death in cold blood for certain
eli ncs which twelve men believe he has
committed. fH ~ 81
Here is an account If this lesalzcd mur-
der, committed ON the 26th ult.. in Bryan,
w liams CO., the p,r,icu.ars Of which con.
tain enough Of the horrible 10 crafty tho
most savage. The Spirit of the Age, pub
shed at Bryan, says: Sa
"About one o'clock, P. M. the prisoner
was conducted 10 the scaffold, accompanied
by Rev. X. r. Walters, who, aiier the pfis-
oner had taken his scat. delivered some We.
ry appropriate remarks from Acts, chap. sth,
verses I'd and sd neat selected by tho
prisoner. A hymn was sung and prayet
offered by The Rev. Mr.. Walters. TIE prisA
Oner then made brief address 10 tho As
sembly. lie asscued his innocence in The
strongest terms--declaring that he had
nohing 10 do with The preparation Of the
crime for which lie was TO be executed IL.
said he had no anxiety 10 live--but felt pre-
pared and desired 10 depart and dwell with
the savior. AT the close Of his remarks. he
knell down, and spent few moments in un-
dible payer. lie prayed for support in the
terrible scene i,pon which he was iminedi!
atsly 10 enier---for the forgiveness of uil wlo
sought his hut, and that he and they might
meet in happier world. '.a-'e '.'
At quarter pas, two, the Sheriff adjusted
the np', wi icl. was already around the III
oner's neck, dlcw tho cap over his face, and
bade him adieu lie then descended tlin
Stairs, aid az he went down, touched the
spring with his E,oi, md the drop f.ll.-
Here followed scene VIII ch was ftr q Hio-
meDi shocking 10 all beholders-almus, be.
yond description. To set the m,lier in its
true light, il should be mentioned that Tys
Ter had at all tinrs insisted that he should
be executed without any slack of rope
Willing to crafty him as far az duy would
permit, and in accordance with the ofirs-s
peated and urgent request, the sheriff gave
him at fist only about one foot Of slsck.-
The instant she drop was sprung, ths pris-
oner slightly couched his body, by this
means The moose slipped around, bringing the
knot Immediately under The ch n, IN such
position that, with this short fall, the rops
did not tighten at all, consequently le was
merely suspend nded by the cck,-Piobab|y
his first slight fall suspended sensation aud
respiration temporarily, for he hung quietly
for a time: but this suspension was only tenn
porary, and It is certain III / nothing like
slrangulaiion was pro iuced. lie soon re-
toyercd his breath, and commenced groan-
aud struggling as if suffering excru'iating
torture. The spectacle al this moment was
too revoltin. 10 witness; We noticed many
who had h uglt and said, that they could
look on Ii 'xp ring agonies with hearty
gord will, who turned away from the Asight
with banchcd cheeks and looks Of coming
serati"n. The Sheriff, probably somewhat
overcome by Inc fearful duty lie had atiemp-
ted to discharge, did no., Immediately after
springng The drop, 60 around 10 see the
true condition Of affairs. On learning the
situation Of the prisoner, he promptly or
dered the scaffold raised, and no sooner was
lhs done than he wassupon ii, and taking
Tyler by the hand, directed him to stand
upon his feet, which he was able 10 do with
out assistance. Aided by Gen. Gilson, tho
Sheriff then proceeded to lengihen the rope,
giving il about four feet add iional slack
lyle, still farvently begged them 10 shorten
Instead Of lengthening il, but he was told
that his wishes could no longer be regarded.
During this time ex.Sheritf Cunningham
passed up tie stairs, and taking Tyler's hand,
inquired if he still asserted his innocence;
he replied, am innocent" Having adj
jusicd the moose, and all others having left
the scaffold, the Sheriff took his hand ana
again bade him farewell. His last words 10
The Sheriff wcre--" For Gods sake shorten
he rope"
Again the drop was sprung, anl Andrew
+. Tyler was launched into eternity. He
scarcely struggled after The second iall--ai.
er about thirty minutes, MS body was taken
iown, placed in the coffin. and carried back
% an upper room Of the jail. = II 'se