The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1850-08-31

dollar per head from applicants to enter his house
get sight of the execution from window or from tn
house top. On the roof of the house there were ne
much less then one hundred persons standing in flu
view. The windows of houses on the south side @
Leverett street, overlooking the ail-yard ,were chief
hronged with ladies, SO fond were they IF entertain
ment Even the roofs Of those houses were bold,
promenaded by the fairer sex, with parasoette il
hand to shed the sun, and eagerly looking for the ex
ecutlon, the judicial murder of a human being.
| The rear windows Of the houses on Lowell stree
were many of them entirely taken out to give free
and well scoped view, and the heads of male and
female protruded thick and numerous. Over the sa-
ngs OF the roofs was complete sprnkling of human
beings.
The Rev. Dr. Putnam the spiritual adviser of the
prisoner, arrived at quarter before eight O'Clock
and proceeded to the cell, accompanied by Mr. An
drews, the ailer. No other person for the time be-
ing was allowed admittance 7
AT O'Clock the witnesses invited by the High
Sheriff, by authority of the statute, began to flock
in, together with others who had received invitations
either voluntary or solicited. We learned from the
sheriff, the number present, spectators, was abont
the same number as comprised the guard -one hun
dred and twenty-five. s3 Eia a
AT ten minutes before 9 o'clock, High Sheriff
Eveleth called the names contained in the list of
witnesses nvited-not all of whom answered to their
names, but a sufficient number for the purpose.
Among the names were the following
F. f. Edwards, Philip Greeley, /. III. Wright
Isaac Adams, J. P. Bradlee, Robert Cowdin, Peter
7. Homer, VIM Schouler, Henry NJ. Hooper Thorn
as Gill, John I. Heard, John Beals, William Barni-
coat, J. I. Croker, Joseph Smith, Osman Brewster,
Benz. Adams, B. Perey Poore, Newell A. Thomp-
son.
The Sheriff stated to the gentlemen present that
they had assembled by invitation from him as law
ful witnesses of the execution Of JOHN WHITE
WEBSTER for the crime of murder, for which he had
been convicted and sentenced. He then detailed to
them the order in which the proceedings would take
place, and expressed his hope that the utmost quiet
and good order would be maintained, as was consis-
tent with the solemnty Of the occasion. He hoped
that he should not hear any loud talking, voice
during tn progress Of the proceedings.
The company then, at the Sheriff. request, form
ed In column, two and two, and proceeded to the
culprit's cell, where the Rev. Dr. Putnam offered
up prayer.
He prayed for brother now about to pass from
this life Of SIM to be removed from this world to an
other. He invoked for him the aid Of the Holy Spirit
and prayed that his repentance might be accepted,
and be accounted to him such in the sight Of the
Searcher Of all hearts,
He prayed that the humble hope Of forgiveness
that he has been permitted to entertain, might be
realised in a bssful fruition He also PRAYED fc
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 il
with mercy and tenderness that the memories and
ACCOMPLISHMENTS Of the hour might be sanctiied to all
who stand before thee, mortal, and soon to die We
commit (he 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.