Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-12-26

EXECUTION OF Gross William Gross yester-
day publicly executed in this city for the murder OF John
Peter Smith, at JeersOnyile, on the lst OF November
1S49
The galows has been erected for several days in the
Falling Run bottom in the northwestern part OF the
city, and Sheriff Gwin had taken every precaution to
prevent those accidents and mshaps which frequently
render public executions scenes OF the most iriShtul
butchery.
The condemned man taken from the Jail in which
he confined at about II o'clock, and placed in car
rage the attending physician seated one side oil him
and the Rev. Mr. Lchensten who has been his prlnci-
pal religious adviser during the period of his ncarcera
tion in this city, on the other To prevent the crowd
from coming up close to the carriage, and to pre-
serve order military guard, under the command oi
Capt. Sanderson ia attendance on the ground In
this the mounu cortegc proceeded to the scene
of execution When they arrived there the prisoner got
out of the carriage and walked up the steps wth-sa
elastic STEP which had somewhat the appearance of be-
ing forced.
I On reaching the PLATFORM he took seat bench,
pulled off his hat, and brushed back his hair The Rev
Mr. Ltchtensein then offered fervent prayer Qn the
German language) to Almighty God for the salvation oil
the soul of the unfortunate who about to be
launched into eternity. After Mr.. L. had concluded,
the condemned on his knees prayed Tor some ntecn or
twenty minutes with great apparent earnestness and
ZEAL also in the German He prayed Tor forgiveness or
the great injury he had done to his best friends and that
God would his soul. He spoke feelingly of his
mother and prayed the Almighty TO comfort her IN her
terrible aciion. He did not speak directly as we are
informed by gentleman who understands the language
of the crime for which he to die.
When he had concluded he arose from his knees and
the sheriff adjusted the around his neck, during
which time the minister, at the request Of the sheriff.
kept him engaged in conversation. When all was ready
Sheriff Gwn touched spring connected with two bolts
which supported the platform which the condemned
Stood and in instant he was hanging by the neck
the fall being about thirty inches He quvered but lit
tie, his gently dropping down. He apparently suf
iered no pain whatever.
After remaining suspended fifteen minutes, he was Ia
ken down and in accordance with his own request the
body given into the hands OF Dr. Sloan, and lmme-
dately conveyed to his laboratory The gavanc bat
terry and the nhaling tube applied in tho presence
of the medical faculty Of the city, and although some
muscular contraction visible they failed to produce
respiration. The physicians were Of opinion the neck
was broken. The countenance after death wore its
wonted aspect while in e No conortons were visible
indicating that he had suffered pain.
When the condemned was taken from the jail, his
mother was present and exhibited great emotion She
screamed most violently.
An immense concourse Of persons were present,
numbers having distance OF fihcen or twenty
miles to witness the hprid spcctace-New Albany Led
ger, Saturday