Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-09-05

LOT the lmmlnence OF the fatal event; duo "ueu
the visit Of DR.. Putnam was announced, yester-
day morning. they at once knew that all was
lover.
We drop the curtain over the scene Of domes-
Itic anguish that ensued. It was not uDrelIeved
lby hopes, that the father and husband had deep
Ily and sincerely repented of mis- crime, and that
the bitterness of death was allevlaied by sincere
religious preparation and prayer 10 the Most
High.
| DR.. Putnam having inquired Of the prisoner
yesterday morning, before the religious exercI-
ces in the cell, whether there were any points he
should like TO have touched upon in The prayer,
Prof. Webster replied, that there were Two,
which it would be agreeable TO his feelings TO
have introduced: one was. that the hearts of his
fellow men might be softened towards him. after
he was gone the other, that every Consolation
from Heaven, for the suffering he had inflicted,
might be vouchssfed to the family and relatives
of the late DIR. Parkman.
| In the interview before the prayer. Prof. Web.
ster alluded to his hope of meeting, in the world
to which he was about to pass in spirit, a tender
| ly beloved child, who died come years since
He conversed, with perfect composure, On vari.
GUS subjects, mostly of a religious nature.
During the walk 10 the galiows, the converse
ton was maintained mostly by Dr.. Putnam
whose object it was to keep the prisoners
thoughts SO occupied with sacred things, tina,
the appalling spectacle around him should moi
cause him to quail. But the prisoner was firm
to the last. Not nerve shivered. To DR.. Put
MANS remark k" Do not regard any thing about
you-do not look"--as they entered the area
and approached the gallows, he replied " 1 dc
not. My thoughts are elsewhere"
All the while the death warrant was being
read, DR.. Putnam kept up cheering conversation
with him, and the prisoner responded calmly and
appropriately. II would have been difficult to
prescribe demeanor more becoming under the
circumstances, than that which he exhibited, OF
to have invented words more suitable than those
which he uttered. Dr.. Putnam piled him witt
remarks to keep his thoughts in the right direc.
lion, and 10 prevent any pause, during which he
might quail. The prisoner gratefully seconded
these humane efforts, but without any furry o.
spirits or nervous agitation. DR.. Putnam ccntIn
ued near, conversing with HIN. while the Offices
lied the prisoners arms and legs-while tn,
moose was adjusted round his neck-and while
the black cap was put on-nor cid he retire
from his immediate vicinity Till just as the laia
drop was about 10 descend.
The flushed appearance of the prisoners face
and the efusIon OF tears were produced appar-
emily by the premature and monentary tighten
ing OF the rope, and not, as sumo supposed, b
agitation.
The last audible words of Professor Webster
as the cap was drawn over his face, were =
FATHER, INTO THY HANDS | COMMEND NJ,
S PIRIT!"
One of our contemporaries states, that the
spot selected for the gallows was that where il
would be most conspicuous u the multitude
Directly the contrary of this Is the truth. |,
was the object of AIR. Andrews to , ace i. where
1t would be as little Conspicuous ss possible.
| VITA regard TO tine statement that The prison.
er had right TO Claim lill / O'Clock yes erday
we have learned that there was no special righI
on the prisoners part after O'Clock, the fi:s
hour mentioned ln the death-warraut
The wish oil the prisoner, as expressed the
evening before, both TO S.efitf Eyeeth aud DR..
Putnam, was that the execution might be as
pro npt as possible. He said that he would be
really al any moment after s O'clock This re-
quest the Sheriff observed, SO far as the con-
venieEce and eecorum of the occasion would al
low.
For some Jays before his death Prot. Web
s'ers favorlle reading, next to the B bic, was in
Channing's Works. He also found much 10
soothe HIN aud crafty his religious and literary
taste IN Bowrlngs Maths and yespers," anu
IN Longfellow's Collection of hymns. lie made
presents Of the last named WORKS, with appro-
pirate passages marked In them, to various
friends.
The body was taken to the house of Mrs.
Webster, in Cambridge, las, night. The funer-
al VIII take place early tomorrow morning, the
services being performed at the house by the
Rev. DR.. Walker
The following letter communicated for the
TRANSCRIPT, Of this day, was addressed by Profess
sor Webster to the Rev. Dr. Parkman, and a
copy retained in the possession OF the former,
which he conided to a friend, with permission To
make such disposition of IT rs he night see fit.
alter his own decease. We menlon this Ia o.
der that the gentleman, to whom the letter was
addressed, may not be suspected of having dis
regarded the request which it contains.