Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1850-09-14
Execution Of Webster.

lSpEcidl correspondence OF the 1lcaynne.
BosToN, August 80, 1850.
Fhe last act in the mourful tragedy IS over
the curtain has fallen, and the demands of JUS
tice are satisfied. AT an early hour this NOR
ming an immense throng from all quarters might
be seen pouring into the city, and each one seIec-
ting for himself as good a place as possible to
witness the drcdful scene.
The chief topic of conversation was the exc
c%ution, some expressing opinions in favor of it
and others against it. Which were in the ma
jority, it would be hard to say, but if | may be
allowed to Judge, | should say that the greater
portion would have snatched the unfortunate
man from the gallows, and stayed the blow Of
death.
Business has been almost entirely suspended
every one being taken up with the excitement
around them, which exceeded any thing | ever
say.
There were many who still believe that the
doomed man would commit suicide, but all
chances of this were slim, when it was ordered
that a strict watch should be except upon him du-
ring the night-the last he was ever to spend
on earth.
His Misunderstanding of his wife and daugh-
ters-yisited him, as was their usual custom, in
the afternoon of yesterday, and remained some
five hours, when they parted without apparently
any more emotion than was perceptib;e at any
of their former interviews. This seems strange,
too, especially if they were acquainted with the
fact that it was the last time they would see him;
but | am told that they were positively ignorant
when the execution would take place. If it is
so, that they did not know it, it is one of the
most remarkable things on record. The Pro-
fessor during the scene was calm and composed
as usual, and seemed to think but little of his
fearful end.
The Rev. DR.. Putnam, his spiritual adviser,
called on him in the afternoon and also in the
evening-the time was spent in conversation
and prayer, in which Webster joined in a fervent
manner, and continued so after the reverend
gentleman left him.
Being wearied, he sought repose about mid
night, and slept off and on for some four or five
hours, when he arose somewhat agitated, which
on being perceived by some one in the prison,
was at once quelled, and his wonted spirits re-
turned. He spoke of his fate with frmness, and
said he was prepared.
His breakfast being brought to him, he par
took of it without the least apparent emotion,
and asked some Of the officers if they would
not join him, which they did.
After he had finished he commenced arrang-
ing himself for the scaffold. Here the compa-
ny, who had been invited by the authorities and
sheriff, being some 100, anne into the cell, ac-
companied by DR.. Putnam, who requested THAI
they join in prayer. After spending a short
time in this solemn service, they retired, two
and two, to the place Of execution, at which
there were now about three or four hundred
persons, within the jail yard.) The prayer Of
fered up IN the cell was eloquent and touching
being confined chiefly to the prisoner and his
family and the officers of the law. That
part relative to himcelf and family was very
solemn, and started the tear in many an eye.
There were about fifty Of the police inside
the Jail, and the same number outside, to pre-
serve order. This was done at the request Of
High Sheriff Eveleth, and was the means of
keeping a good degree of quiet, though there
were some who were base enough to laugh and
trifie with the subject, as though it were a threat
rical performance.
The gallows was erected by 8 o'clock, and
was built in the centre Of the yard, which gave
those outside a good view. Whether this was
intentional or not | cannot say; but incline to
the belief that it was. understand it has for
merly been erected in the northwest corner Of
the yard, which gave the outsiders a poor
chance. The Sheriff called over the names of
the witnesses, and addressed them briefly, hop
ing that they would observe the utmost silence,
&c.
A fabout h~alf-past 9 the prisoner was brought
forward, his arms being pinioned, and marched
with a firm step to the scafold,~ accompanied by
his spiritual adviser, who had been previously re-
qnested by DR.. Webster to remain with him un-
til life should be no more. The prisoner locked