The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-09-11
Further Particulars of the Execution
of Prof. Wehster,

lolloWhhs duuiuonal incidents at the execution of
| Prof Webster:
| The countenance of Professor Webster in death
was serene and even pleasant in its expression ;
| exhibiting no discOloratnn or sign of distortion
The genial, beamiDg smile, with which he was
wont TO encounter friend. seemed to have lust
passed oyerit and left its trace
soon aitsr the body was cut down, Dr. Putnam
| repaired TO Cambridge to communicate intelligence
Of the execution to the bereaved family. For some
| days, through the vague communication of a friend,
| they had been anticipating that each interview
| Wllh the prisoner might be the last although they
l?It me cell and the Jail on Thursday, not suppo
sing mat the execution would take place the next
| day As they entered their carriage, however,
they noticed hustle about the jail, and the assem-.
bling OF crowd. from which they drew dreadful
augurles OF the imminence of the fatal event; and
| when the visit of Dr. Putnam was announced yes
| leruay morning, they ut once knew that all was
| over.
We drop the curtain over the scene of domestic
| anguish that ensued. 1t was not unreeved by
hopes, that the father and husband had deeply and
| sincerely repented of his crime and that the bit.
terness Of death was aleviaed by sincere religious
| preparation and prayer to the Most High.
| pf. fulnam having inquired of the prisoner yes
teTday morning before the religious exercises in the
eel, whether there were any points he would like
| TO nave touched upon in the prayer. Prof Webster
| replied, that there were two, which it would be
| agreeable 10 his feelings TO have introduced: one
| was, that the hearts Of his fellow men might be
soIened towards him, after he gone the other
that every consolation from heaven for the suffer.
| ing he had inflicted might be vOuchsafed TO the
| family and relatives Of the late Dr. Parkman
In the Interview before the prayer, Prof Web
sler alluded 10 his hope of meeting in the world, 10
| "hIch he was about 10 pass in spirit, tenderIy
| beloved child, who died some years since. He
| conversed with perfect composure, on various sub.
| Jects. mostly of a religious nature.
During the walk to the galiOws the conversation
was maintained mostly by Dr. Putnam, whose oh.
ret 1t was to keep the prisoners thoughts so occu.
| ped with sacred things, that the appalling specta
Gle around him should not cause him to quail Bat
| The prisoner was firm 70 the last MOI n nerve
| shIvered. To Dr. Pumam's remark" do not re-
| gard any thing about you-dO not look AS they
| entered the area, and approached the galovs. he
replied: 81 do not. Ny thoughts are elsewhere. -
| Al the while the death-warrant was being read.
| Dr. Putnam kept up cheering conversation with
hlm, and the prisoner responded calmly and apnro-
pfi9tely 1t would have been difficult to prescribe
| a demeanOr more becoming under the crcum.
| stances, than that which he exhibited or to have
| invented words more suitable than those which he
| uttered. DE-. Putnam piled him with remarks 10
keep his thoughts in the right direction and to pre-
| vent any pause during which he might quail. The
prisoner gratefully seconded these humane efforts
nut without any furry 0! spirits or nervous arita.
| ton Dr. Putnam continued near c0nversing with
him. while the officers tied the prisoners arms and
legs, while the moose was adjusted round his neck
and while the black cap was put 0n--nor did he
retire from his immediate vicinity ill lust as the
fatal drop was about to descend.
me flushed appearance Of the prisoners face
ana the eituSlon Of tears were produced apparently
py tue premature and momeniary tightening Of the
| rope, and not, as some supposed, nv agitation.
The last audible words of Professor Webster a.
the cap was drawn over his face, were: Father.
INTO ing handS | commend my spirit 80
One Of our contemporaries States that The spot Sc.
lected Tor the gaIl0ws was that, where it would be
most conspicuous 10 the multitude. Directly the
contrary of this is the truth It was the ob5rt of
Mr.. Andrews 10 place it where it would be as little
conspicuous as possible.
The wish OF the prisoner, as {, prssssd, the even.
ing before, both to Sheriff Evallth and DR. pm
nam, Was that the execution might be- as nrrrlnt M.
possible lie said that he Wunld be ready al any
moment after s O'Clock This request tla SN.ri}r|
observed 50 far rs the convenience and fer1rr7 n
the occasion would allow.
For some days before his DEATH Professor yEah
ster's avorile reading, next to the Bible was Chan
nlng Works. He also found much 10 so0thp bir,
ana crafty his religious and literary taste in Bow
rn&'s Mathis and Yespers, and in LongfelIovy =
,Louecuon oil Hymns He made presents Of the
last named works, with appropriate passages mark
ed m them. 10 various trends.
The body was taken to the house Of Mrs Web
ster IN Cambridge, last night The funeral will
take place early tomorrow morning, the services
PWg!9S performed at The house by the Rev Dr.
Walker
LFron The Boston Mail Au,.al
After being taken down, the remain. ID, Hr
Webster were placed in the cell which he had so
lately occupied, and kept until last evening. when
lhey were removed to the residence Of his family
at Cambridge.
We understand that his death was communicated
70 tile i"Gny yesterday afternoon by Mrs. W. II.
Prescott, sister Of Mrs Webuer Rev Dr. PIT.
nam was present when the communication was
Ll4us' Inc iaInily received the intelligence with
calm resignation and christian forGtudc.
The funeral, it is said will take mace Mn Sun, |
utSs WIN as lttlR tlED|dV Ua.giIta IT,