The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-04-04

who has gathered around him an interes ST
ing family; man Of education and natu-
raj talent, who occupied j high place in
community; man who belongs to the
,.higher circles" and whose sons and
daughters scorned to associate with the
..lower" or middle" classes-this man,
SO situated, has been declared a murderer.
A murderer for money; for it does not ap-
pear that he committed the fatal deed in
hea, of passion. Here is fact well suit
ed TO the study of the thinking men of the
world. Crime II seems. does not alone
belong TO the children of poverty. Wick
edness may sometimes, like consumption,
lie dormant in man, and be brought out
in green old age.
The following particulars of the close
of the trial are interesting.
"The galleries were crowded TO excess.
In about five minutes, Professor Webster
came in,. in charge of a constable, and took
his seat in the dock.
His appearance was unchanged except
serious dejectedness, which was appa-
rent in the contraction of the muscles about
his mouth. The court came in FIVE min
utes after.
The Clerk of the Court then said, ad-
dressing the jury: "Mr. Foreman, have
yon agreed upon your verdict"
Mr.. Bryan, foreman of the jury, bowed
assent.s
Clerk-John w. Webster hold up your
right hand.
Prisoner rose and looked steadily and
intently upon the foreman of the jury
Clerk-Mr. Foreman look upon priso-
ner; prisoner look upon the jury.
Professor Webster still maintained his
fixed and intense look upon the foreman
oc the jury.
The Clerk continued-W do YOU
say, Mr.. Foreman! Is the prisoner at the
bar guilty or not guilty?
Guilty" was the solemn response.
The hand of the prisoner which had
hitherto been held erect fell TO the bar in
front of him with dead sound as il he
had lost all muscular action, and his head
dropped upon his breast.
He soon sat down, his limbs seeming
to give evidence of failing.
| He then closed his evelids and bowed
| his head down towards the Court.
MIR. Ryan, the foreman of the Jury, al
the same time held his hand up before his
eyes as if overcome by the painful duty
he had performed.
| An awful and unbroken silence ensued,
during which the Court, Jury and Specta.
tors seemed to be absorbed in their own
reflections.
! The appearance Of the prisoner at this
time was painful to contemplate. His
eyes were closed, and deep sigh denoted
the load of inexpressable anguish on his
soul, and the crushing blow tha, had fallen
upon him.
Chief Justice Shaw broke the awful ST.
lence and suspense by dismissing the jury
in voice wild with emotion.
! Attorney General Clifford narrated the
facts of indictment, trial and verdict, and
moved the Court that final sentence now
be passeo. The prisoner arose and was
asked by the clerk what he had TO say
why the sentence of Death should not be
passed upon him. The prisoner bowed
and took his seat in silence.
! Chief Justice Shaw then addressed him.
In conclusion he said: "And now nothing
remains but solemn duty of pronouncing
sentence which the law fixes for the crime
Of murder, of which you stand convicted
which sentence is, that you, John w.
Webster. be removed from this place, and
be detained in close custody in the prison
of this county, and thence be taken at such
time and place as the Executive Govern.
ment of this Commonwealth, may, by
their warrant appoi int, to place of execu.
ton, and then be HUNG BY THE
| NECK UNTIL YOU ARE DEAD;
and may God in his infinite goodness have
mercy on your SOUL"