Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1849-02-14
A Murderer Hung in Williams Co., Ohio.

The Death Renalty -.Horrable Account
Of a legal'zed murder an Williams Co.,
Ohio a0hich toef place on Friday the
Goth ult.
Ii we are at times put to the blush for
the crimes oSDur fellow beings, we are as
often shocked at the barbarities of our race,
who to retaliate for one crime commit an
othS, no lie S offensive in the Fsight of God
and man.. We refer to the basbarous Gus
tom of Ranging man to death in cold
blood. for certain crimes which twelve men
believe he has committed.
Here is an account of this legalized muir
dar, committed on the 26th ult., in Bryan,
Williams county, the particulars of which
contain enough of the horrible to crafty the
most savage. The Spirit Of the Age, pub
lished at Bryan, says:
"About o'clock, P. NJ the prisoner was
conducted on to the scaffold accompanied
bv Rev. R. R. Walters, who after the
prisoner had taken his seat, delivered some
very appropriate remarks from Acts, chap.
5th. verses 2nd, and 3d-a text selected by
the prisoner. A hymn was sung and
PRAYER offered by Rev. Mr.. Walters. The
prisoner then made beirf address to the
assembly. He asserted his innocence in
the strongest of terms declaring that be
had nothing to do with the perpetration OF
the crime, for which he was to be executed.
He said he had no anxietya to ..live-felt
prepared andzdesired to depart and dwell
with his Savior.
At the close of his remarks, he knelt down
and spent few moments in audible prayer.
He PRAYED for support in the terrible scene
upon which he was Immediately to enter
for the forgiveness of all who had sought his
hurt, and that he and they might meet in a
happier world.
AT quarter past two, the Sheriff adjust
ed the rope, which was already around the
prisoners neck, drew the cap over his face,
and bade him adieu. He then descended
the stairs, and as he went down touched
the spring with his foot, and the drop fell.
Here followed scene which was for mo-
ment, shocking to all beholders- almost be-
yond description. To set the matter in its
true light, it should be mentioned that Tyler
had at all times insisted that he should be
executed without any slack of rope. Will
ing to crafty him so far as duty would per-
nit and in accordance with this oft-repeat-
ed and urgent request, the Sheriff gave him
at first only about one foot of slack. The
instant the drop was sprung the prisoner
slightly crouched his body; by this means
the moose slipped around, bringing the knot
Immediately under the chin, in such posi-
ton that with his short fall it did not tight
en- at all, consequently he was merely sus-
pended by the neck. Probably his first
Slight fall suspended sensation and respira-
ton temporarily, for he hung quietly for a
time, but this suspension was only temporary
and it is certain that nothing like strangu-
lation was produced. He soon recovered
his breath and commenced groaning and
struggling as if suffering excruciating tor
ture. The spectacle at this moment was
too revolving to witness; we noticed many
who had thought and said, that Ithey could
look on his expiring agonies with hearty
good will, who turned away from the sight
with blanched cheeks and looks of COM
miseration. The Sheriff, probably some
what overcome by the fearful duty he had
attempted to discharge, did not Immediately
after springing the drop go around to see
the true COndIt1On OF aI1alfS. On learning
the situation of the prisoner, he promptly
ordered the scafold raised, and. no sooner
was this done than he was upon it, and TAX
ing Tyler by the hand directed him to stand
on his feet, which he was able to do with
out assistance. Aided by Gen. ellison, the
Sheriff then proceeded to lengthen the rope,
giving it about four additional slack Tyler
still fervently begged them to shorten in
stead of engthening it, but he was told that
his wishes could no longer be regarded.
During this time, ex-sherif Cunningham
passed up the stairs, and taking Tyler's
hand inquired if he still asserted his inno-
cence he replied, Il am innocent" Hav-
ing adjusted the moose, and all others hav-
ing left the scaffold, the Sheriff took his
hand and again bade him farewell. His
last words to the Sheriff were-"For Gods
sake shorten the rope"
Again the drop Was sprung, and Andrew
F. Tyler was LAUGHED into eternity. He
scarcely struggled after the second fall
after about thirty minutes, his body was ta-
ken down, placed in the coffin and carried
back to an upper room of the jal.''