Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-09-09
stricken family of the prisoner, as they might
| leave were several females


1t is understood that after the execution, the
body will be deposited in the cell lately occupi-
ed by the prisoner, and towards evening carried
to Mount Auburn. The fsneral will be strictly
private and unobtrusive
Immediately alter the eXecutien DR.. PatnaW
will proceed TO commpnicate The fatal tiJmgs TO
the bereaved family. God help them
THIS MORNING.
The prisoner retired at little past IL, and
was i'll sound sleep little before A. M
He slept till O'Clock, woke calm and refreshed
and maintained perfect serenity and self posses
sion.
at quarter before eight, Dr. Putram and
Mr.. Andrews, the TAILOR, visited the prisoner in
his cell. The arrangements for the execution
had all been explained the previous evening
DR.. Putnam continued in the cell until the pri-
soner was taken to the galows. MIR. Andrews
came out few minutes before nine, and short
ly afterwards returned with the sheriff and Jail
officers, who took formal and anectiouate leave
of the prisoner.
TEE SERVICE IN THE CELL.
At a quarter past nine the religious services
commenced in the cell in the presence of She
riff Eveleth, the jail officers the legal Witnesses
summoned on the OCCASION and the reporters of
the press.
The prisoner kne before chair in the cen
tire of the cell DIR. Putnam standing in the
doorway, and addressing the throne Of grace
The prayer occupied seven minutes After a
brief but touching aluslon 10 the solemn and
melancholy character of the occasion, he pray
ed ferven,ly for the prisoner, commencing him
to the mercy of an al-wise and bene ficent God.
He expressed his belief that the prisoner was
prepared, so far as sincere eontriion for his Of
fence and prostraton of soul in humble suppli-
| 1,r {Ir,ri and IL.
Saviour's promises, could qualify him for his
departure.
| Mr.. Putnam then prayed fervently for the
family, that the same grace and mercy might
sustain them i'll their great affection, and ena.
BILE them to support it with resignation and hum
Bile hope. He prayed that this terrible example
might have salutary effect OH the whole COM
munty, in teaching them the danger of unre-
strained passion, and inspiring humility and self
distrust.
The officers Of the land, whose duty it would
be to carry the sentence of the law iuto effect,
were also remembered in his prayer aud he
asked that while they performed their painful
functions with frnness, it would also be in
spirit of tenderness and compassion for their
fellow being, who was about to pass before /;
higher tribunal, where Justice woald be sure to
be tempered with mercy and he hoped that
some of the spirit, which would preside in that
higher court. might shed It's benign influence to
aid them on this trying occasion.
After again tervently commencing the pri-
soner to divine mercy, the services were concu-
ded without farther ceremonies, and the compa-
ny retired from the building.
THE SPECTATORS.
The galows was surrounded bv some $50 per-
SONS including several sherias and deputies from
abroad, and large police force But few mem
bers OF the bar Or OF the medical profession were
present. The windows OF the surrounding houses
were crowded by persons Of both sexes and all
ages. The tops of the ad jacent buildings. the
sheds, out-honses and every available point of
view, were occnped. The rear windows of the
houses on Leverelt and Wall Streets all had their
eager throng of spectators. Probably they num-
bered about Thousand.
LAST SCENE OF ALL.
At 25 minutes past 8, Sheriff 2veleth and his
deputies, Aessrs. Coburn, Freeman and Kueg
mounted the steps OF the SCI fold in the jail yard
followed by DR.. Putnam and by jailor Andrews
and Mr. Holmes, turnkey.
The prisoner took his stand upon the trap
door, or drop, and Immediately under the rope
which depended from the top of the gallows
frame. He was dressed i'll a black trock coat,
buttoned up in front, black pants and shoes
without any neckcloth aud only portion of the
shirt bosom visible. He Immediately entered
into conversation with his spiritual adviser, which
he continued as long as practicable, and with
apparent calmness and conposure.
Deputy Sheriff Coburn called the attention Of
the witnesses, &c, to the reading of the Execu.
tive death warrant, which was next done in an
audible manner by the Sheriff,--who with his
officers and the assembly generally remained
with uncovered heads during the reading, with
the exception Of the prisoner.
The prisoner was then seated, while Mr. An
drews proceeded to confne his elbows with
strap which also passed around his body and
tied the hands crosswise in front. Another strap
was bound around the legs, just above the knees
Alter the prisoner had again risen upon his
feet the rope was drawn down and adjusted
round his neck by deputy sheriff Ruge. The
knot was placed a little behind the right ear,
and the knot being by accident drawn too close
", the culprit's counenance flushed. and his
eyes filled with tears, hen the moose was in
SANITY Stacked.
The black cap was drawn over the head by
Messrs. Rueg aud Holmes; thus shutting out
forever from the prisoners mortal vision the
sunlight and blue sky of this fair summer day.
The flushed appearance Of the prisoners face
continued as the cap was descending and to the
last moment ne continued to turn his eyes side
ways upon DR.. Putnam, who stood at the left,
leaning upon the railing, much affected.
Sheriff Eyeleth announced, that in the name
of the Commonwealth, he would now proceed
TO carry into effect the sentence of the law, and
Immediately placing his foot upon the drop, the
prisoner fell some seven fee: and halt and
his mortal career was at all end. This took
place at rs minutes before 10 o'clock.
The body swayed slightly to and fro and in
few seconds after the fall there was srasmoiic
drawing up OF the legs, once or twice. Beyond
this there was no observable struggle, nor was
there any subsequent agitation or quivering Of
the body.
After hanging thirty minutes the body was
examined by DR.. Henry G. Clarke, city physi-
clan, and Dr. Charles H. Stedman, of the Luna
tic Hospital, South Boston, and they Informed
the sheriff that life was extinct
The sheriff then announced the fact to the as.
sembly, and after thanking the Witnesses for
their prompt attendance, he dismissed them
fro f,r{