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

The extreme penalty of the law was meted out to
Professor Webster yesterday in the yard, of the Jail
in Leyerett Street, in which he has been imprisoned
since the night of his arrest Thursday afternoon
he was visited by his wife and daughters for the last
time. They left him about dusk, it is said, in entire
Inconsistencies that they should see him no more
alive. .ear 81.
Between and o'clock, E. d. Sohier, Esq, one
of his COUNSEL had an interview with him at his re-
quest About o'clock Constable E. ]. Jones, at
ached to the supreme court, and John Leighton,
clerk and officer at the JAIL entered his cell, as watch
ers, and remained with him through the night.
At dusk the first wagon entered the Jail yard with
stakes and other fixtures required in marking off the
ground and erecting the scaold, which the same
as that used last year the hanging of Washington
Good, though there has been slight alteration in
the machinery by which the victim launched into
eternity In the former case there the cutting Of
the string, has been customary but now, as in the
execution of Pearson at East Cambridge, the Sheriff
has simply to place his foot upon spring to eff
feet the purpose,--so that man may be hung in the
presence of spectators, while of the latter
perceive by whose direct agency the act is accomplish
ed. A @
$50 e THE EXECUTION.
This morning opened brightly and beautifully the
sun shone upon the newly erected gallows, it seemed
says the Boston Times, like ray of fire branding the
unhalowed instrument of death.
As early O'Clock, groups Of persons collected
about the Jail was-and as the morning advanced blinds
would be opened cur aims drawn aside, and the house
CONC and shads commanding Wow f the scnna
filed with anxious spectators.
, Thursday night the Rev. DR.. Putnam remained two
hours with DIR. Webster, uniting in devotional exerc-
ses. After the former had le DIR. Webster continued
his devotions ntermttngy and conversed with consid
cradle freedom with the officers in attendance. Fully
conscious Of his doom, he more than once remarked
that he once had perfect dread and horror at the
thought of being hung, but he had outived THE had
fear-but perfectly and fully prepared to meet
his fate. His appearance during the night seemed to
confirm his statement in regard to being reconced and
resigned. His health remained good, and in spirit he
was calm. About IL O'Clock he commenced repose
which continued until half-past four. On awaking he
maintained his usual calmness aud partook tolerabe
breakfast He had apparently not lost any flesh dur
ing his incarceration, but if anything had gained in
that respect
1t was near eight O'Clock in the morning ere the cree
ton Of the galows, which was commenced after day
light, was completed. e
Meantime an immense concourse Of people was
collecting the outside Of the Jail, all eager to catch
a glimpse of the dreadful proceedings going on with.
in, or at least the first rumors of the occurrence,
which those more favored were permittedto witness
Strong detachments of Police were at an earl,
hour stationed around the jail, extending line dowr
Leverett from Causeway to Getting, up Wall ant
Lowell streets, and through Causeway to Leverett
All these streets were crowded with curious ant
excited multitude Of men, women, and children
Hundreds exhibited most reckless disregard ofthei
own lives and limbs, IN order to get glimpse ever
of the tragedy about to take place within the Jail en-
closure. ea AaH@ hnw HfBMNi
In Wall street. three or four individuals actual,
ssshnned up''the water spout Of three story dwell
ing house to the roof, where toleraby good view
could be obtained. Others were about folowin,
their rash example when the attention OF the polio
was directed to them.
In Lowell street policeman was stationed a
every house to prevent the gates leading to the yard
and over the doors of dwelling houses in some in
stances, from being forced open or broken down b,
the eager crowd. Most of the houses on Lowell ST
between Getting and Causeway, overlook the place
Of execution u3AM 34iA
The house-tops all about 10 the vicinity Of the jai
were literally swarmed with the living mass on on,
building counted less than twenty five females a
early O'Clock, protected from the hot sun by un
beas, and evidently prepared to satisfy their singular
and censurablc curiosity at every risk. The pre-
scented in every direction extraordinary ono, ant
exhibited depraved taste for the horrible such as wt
hardly believed existed in many human hearts. hat
The Times states that it was an incident particu-
larry worthy Of note, that Mr. Wyethe, occupying
dwelling on Leverett street ut the west end Of The
Jail, and who is well known profess to be opposed
to capital punishment, was driving very brisk bust
ness during the morning, by asking and receiving one