Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-09-05
The Execution
DOCTOR JOHN w. WEBSTER.

lied throughout the city by deep and solemn
feeling as to the coming event OF the morrow
1t was discussed by groups of persons, and was
the all engrossing topic everywhere.
At 9 P. NJ. the Rev. DR.. Putnam left thecell
of the condemned, after having been with him
for several hours. He reported him 10 be calm,
firm, penitent, and ready to resign his forfeited
life at the call of the authorities.
Soon after DIR. Putnam left, the wife and
daughter entered for their usual visit, in appar-
ent Inconsistencies that it was their last and
the condemned man himself alleged his firm be-
lief that they were unaware of the time Of eX
ecutlon, and seemed grateful that the knowledge
of it had been kept from them. They left his
cell little after clock, by the way of Low
ell street, large crowd having gathered in
Leverett street TO witness their departure but
their cruel curiosity to those unfortunate
sufferers for anotlars sn-was not gratified.
After his family left DIR. Webster was thor
oughly searched, and his cell whitewashed-
Constable E. Jones and Jail officer Leighton
were then placed in the cell with him. He re-
ceived then quite affeclionaely, and they speak
of his conduct throughout the night as being
that of child-like submission to his impending
fate. There could be no doubt in their minds,
they say that nothing was feigned, and that
therefore their unwelcome task would be conf
paratlvely light. He spoke during the night,
of the morrow, and of the manner of his death
| apparently with frmness.
DIR Putnam left him at nine o'clock. After
wards, until about midnight, he conversed with
his watchers, his conversation being principal
ly of a religious character. At midnight, he
fell into sort of doZe, but did not seem to
sleep heavily, He would awake, converse, and
fall to sleep again. The usual sounds of re-
| turning day seemed TO agitate him, but he
sool recovered his composure, and when the
watchers left, he was perfectly calm.
! Mr. Jones,who was one of the Watchers was
also the officer who had him in custody at the
time of his trial. Upon entering his cell last
night, he was instantly struck by the absence
in Mr. Webster of that irrtabillty SO obvious
at the time of trial. All appeared to be resig
nation to his fate. Mr. Jones was deputed to
search him for the purpose of ascertaning that
] he had nothing dangerous about his person -
To this duty MIR J. proceeded with great re-
\ luctance, which being perceived by Mr. Web
ster, he smiled, and said, putting his hand on
! MIR J. S neck, search me, you will find nothing.
| shall tell you all about myself by aud by,and
YOU will then see that there is no fear
| Nothing was found upon him save his watch,
about dollar in change, and a little tobacco.
After DIR Putnam left, he continued to read pas
sages from the Bible until exhausted, when he
requested Mr. Jones to read 10 him. Many
passages referring to his case, and condemna-
tory of his peculiar offence were marked in
| his Bible; ard in other books pieces of poetry
of similar tenor. He seemed to rejoice thai
/ his days Of suffering and trial were about over,
and that he had been granted time for repent
ance. He regretted, he said, to leave his
! friends, but he was unworthy of them. He Sc
lected several verses of poetry to be read to
! him, that had reference to the dangers of dis
! sipa-ion in early life.
The scaffold was not erected until after
daylight this morning. 1t was placed in the
centre of the yard, visible from the rear OF
/ Lowell, ard the house on the west side of Lev
eritt streets. 4 change had been made in its
construction, spring having been substituted
10 cause the falling of the drop upon which the
condemned stands, instead Of the cutting of q
rope.
The prisoner partook of slight breakfast,
of which he invited two officers OF the Jail 10
partake, and afterwards furnished them with
cigars, but he did not smoke himself. AT this
moment the condemned criminal was singular
ly calm, manifesting more self-possesslon than
the officers themselves were enabled to com
mand.
sons who had been furnished with passes, be-
gan to assemble in the Jail yard They num-
bered about $50, consisting of many merchants,
professional men, and we are sorry to say, also
many young men. The constablcs, police Off
GERS, and other city officers, to the number of
about one hundred and twenty-five, kept order
within and without the walls of the jail. This
force was only about twenty-five more than the
number present at the time when GOode was
executed.
| Upon the arriva! of DR.. Putnam, this morn
ing, he Immediately entered the prisoner cell,
aud was with him for more than an houf ~ al
mlnlSterlng TO him the consultations Of religion.
| Afterwards, at DR.. Webster's request the ofiiss
GERS Of the Jail were sent for and when they
entered, he thanked them, in aifectionate terms,
| for their kind attentions, and for their consider
ate conduct during his long confinement.
The legal witnesses of the execution, head
ed by the Sheriff and his deputies, and follow
ed b. the spectators generally, then entered the
archway 10 the cell, where short, but tervent
prayer offered by Rev. DIR. Putnam. lie
prayed f brother now about 10 pass from
this life Of sin TO be removed from this world
10 another He invoked for him the aids of the
Holy Spirit, and prayed that his repentance
might be accepted, and be accounted to him as
Sucn IN Inc sight OF the Searcner OF all hearts.
| At the conclusion of this prayer, the specta-
tors retired from the arch. The arms of the
condemned were pinioned 10 his side, and the
procession marched TO the scatiod. BY the
side Of the condemned was his faithful religious
counsellor and adviser, who had promised 10
ascend with him, and be presentat the parting
scene. No sign Of ialierlng could be observed
as he assembled the steps. He appeared sub
dued, as one conscious OF having committed
great sin, for which he was about to suffer.
| As he stepped upon the drop, he looked round
! for his faithful friend, DR.. Putnam, who was by
his side, and entered into an apparently earnest
conversation with him. At almost every word
DIR. Webster bowed his head, as if what he
was saying was emphatcally the outpourng Of
| his heart
| During this conversation, Sheriff Evcleth
was reading the death warrant, which was in
the usual form of such documents, comm and
ing the execution of John w. Webster on the
30th of August, by hanging, and to fail there
of at his peril.
AT the conclusion of the reading of the war
rant, Dr. Webster shook hands with DR.. Put
nam, who took of him final farewell.
He was then placed in chair to have his
legs pinioned. After this was done, he again
stood up. The touch of the rope upon his
neck caused his face, which had been before of
deadly pallor, 10 flush, and there were evident
signs of subdued but still powerful agitation.
He then shook hands with the Sheriff, and
spoke few words 10 him.
The black cap was then placed over his face
and the liuht Of day TINS shut ont from him in