The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1850-09-13
Irnism'ilsd for The Baltimore America"
EXECUTION OF DIR. JOHN W.
WEBSTER.
BosToN, Aug. 3

It is now 8 o'clock. The most intense
excitement prevails. Everv street and av.
enu- leading to the jai! is filled with hun
man beings vending their way thither.-
The house tops all around are covered with
persons anxious TO see. Hundreds may be
seen at the doors and windows. and every
place where there is the slightest chance
ofseeing the sad event. The lhrong is i'm.
mensc.
THIRD DISPATCH.
BosroN, Aug. 30-p. m.
More Of the Particulars of DR.. Web.
sier's .;r.cuiion. When Dr.. Putnam lett,
Fro, ,,Nasssr continued his devo.ions at
;..,,.,yy $, and conversed with considerable
freedom with the officers. Being fully
conscious Of his doom, he repeatedly said
that he had grea, dread and horror at The
thought OF being hung. but that he was now
Indifferent to 1t. He SAID that he had no
fear; was perfectly and entirely prepared TO
meet his late. His appearance through
the night confirmed his statement, oi being
reconcled and resigned to his doom. His
health remained good and his spirits calm;
he had, apparently, not los, any flesh dur
ing the peiiod ot his confinement, but prob.
ably had gained in that respect.
The erection OF the gallows was com.
msnced just after daylight. and was com>
ple,ed before 8 o'clock
Upon the requ,si,on Of High Sheriff
Evele,h, posse Of 1876 men. consisting Of
loo police and wa,chmen, and 20 consta>
bles. were detailed for guarl. Of whom Is
cons,ables and IS policemen were stationed
within the yard, and IS without. The
scaffold was 10 the centre Of the yard, and
more open 10 the outside view than IL
would have been at any other spot The
scafod was changed from The northwest
corner 10 the centre OF the yard, which did
not diminish the view from the rear Of the
buildings on Lowell street, and added much
to the view from Leverett street.
The officers present at the execution,
were High Sheriff J. EIeveih, Deputy
Sheriff Watson, freeman DauI, J. Coburn.
Japez Pratt, Eraslus Rusg. and Joseph Co.
burn.
The High Sheriff called the names Of the
::-.:ss y! witnesses 10 lhe'ex.cu!lon; ne slated
that they had assembled by his invitations
as lawful witnesses to the execution Of
John White Webster. He requested them
10 keep order during the solemn ceremo"
nies. The company then formed by two
and two and visited the prisoners cell.
when the Rev. DR.. Putnam offered up
PRAYER. The hall leading TO The cell was
full Of stiffness. and culemni,y prevailed
The witnesses then returned 10 the yard.
FOURTH DISPATCH.
BosToN. Aug. 30--4 p. m.
More particulars Of JVebster's Erccu-
lion.-Al,er the family of Professor Web
s,er left him las, night. unconscious. it is
said, Of his approaching fate, he was
searched aud placed IN new cell in order
10 prevent his attempting to commit sui
eide.
DR.. Putnam left him q, o'clock in the
evening. From that time until midnight
he was engaged in devotional exercises, al
ter which he fell into gentle doze. but
d,d not sleep steadily. awakening al times
To converse with those in the room. tie
spoke of his approaching fate with 'or'ilude
and caIn,ness, and appeared perfectly re
signed. He was pleased and felt grateful
that the time Of his execu'ion taa been
kept from the knowledge ct his family. AT
dawn OF day, various noises appeared 10
disturb him. and he became agltaled, but
would suoh regain his confidence.
BY the advice Of physicians he break
tasted on tea and coffee with bread. He
~, ga, preparation. 10 ascend the scaf>
folc w,,h tirmuess, and didfso.
Sbou, 300 persons were admitted within
the Jail yard. The house tops in the vcin.
ry of the Jail were covered with persons.
among whom were many women. The
streets leading 10 The jail were also thrcug
ed.
At nine o'clock, after performing reli.
gious services in his cell. the prisoner was
brough, out. attended by his spiritual ad.
visers. the sheriff. jailor. Sc. He walked
erect, and ascended the scaffoId with firm
step Here he remained shaking hands.
and engaged at times in meditation. A,
twenty minutes before 10 o'clock, the cap
was drawn over his face. He bid adieu
10 the sheriff. jallor. and others. and soon
alter. the trap fell. launching his spirI, into
.,ernity. He seemed 10 die with but few
'rsugsles. After death his body was taken
pack 10 the cell and there il vii; remain
until dark, when It will be taken 10 his lam
iy in Cambridge for inisrment to o.mofrow.
No accidents tha, l am aware Of happened
Iuripg the terrible scene.