The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1850-08-30

those who had been bereaved by the transgressions
Of the condemned man; for the ministers of the law
who, while they perform their bounden duty, do 1t
with mercy and tenderness; that the memories and
ACCOMPLISHMENTS of this hour might be sancted to all
who stand before thee, mortal, and soon to die. We
commit Che said) thy child to thee, and while he
bows himself to the law, behold him an humble sup
plant at the throne of Him who tempers justice with
mercy, and receiveth the contrite heart.
The GalIOws Scene.
At twenty-five minutes before ten o'clock, the
Sheriff. with his deputies, the prisoner, and the Of
6ciating clergyman, advanced from the prison doors,
to the scafold. Professor Webster walked with
firm step to the gallows He was dressed in deep
black, bat wore no neck-cloth He looked in good
health, but he appeared reconcied to his fate, al
though his head was bowed.
AS he stepped upon the drop, he looked round for
his faithful friend, DIR. Putnam, who by his side,
and entered into apparently earnest conversation
with him. Atalmost every word DIR. Webster bow
ed his head, as if what he was saying was emphat-
ically the outpouring Of his heart.
During this conversation Sheriff Eveleth was read
ing the death warrant, which was in the usual form
of such documents, commanding the execution Of
John w. Webster on the S0th Of Aug, by hanging,
and to fail thereof at his peril.
At the conclusion of the reading Of the warrant,
DIR. Webster shook hands with DR.. Putnam, who
Il took Of him final farewell.
! He was then placed in chair to have his legs
pnioned. 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, to
flush, and there was evident signs Of subdued but
still powerful agitation. He then shook hands with
the Sheriff, and spoke few words to him.
The black cap was then placed over his face, and
the light of day thus shut out from him in this world
forever. The Sheriff then turned to the assembled
spectators and In loud voice proclaimed that in the
name and by the command of the Commonwealth
Of Massachusetts, he should now proceed to do
execution upon the body Of John w. Webster.
At this knell Of death there was no motion of the
body Of the condemned the features of the face be-
ing entirely hid from view; but he stood perfectly
still, awaiting the fatal plunge.
After concluding his proclamation, the Sheriff
turned round, and pressing spring, the drop fell,
with sound once heard never to be forgotten. The
fall was about eight feet. There was scarcely
struggle, and death was probably almost nstantan-
eous.
One apasnodic contraction Of the limbs and the
corps swanged to and fro.
In few minutes after, however, the legs were seen
to move suddenly, and the knees quickly drew up. In
moment they fell and other motion was perceptible
About ten minutes after O'Clock, the body was cut
down, and removed to the cell lately occupied by the
victim of the law.
the directions of Prof. Webster, mentioned above.
Among those who attended the execution, in the
performance of his official duty as deputy sherifwas
son of a former professor Of Harvard University