Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-07
From the Boston Transcript.
PROFESSOR WEBSTER.

FURTHER FACTS AT THE EXECUTION
The countenance of Professor Webster in
death was serene and even pleasant in its ex-
preston; exhibiting no discoloration or sign
OF distortion. The genial, beaming smile,
with which he was wont 10 encounter friend,
seemed 10 have Just passed over it, and left
It's trace.
Soon after the body was cut down, DR. Put
nam repaired 10 Cambridge to communicate
intelligence of the execution 10 the bereaved
family. For some days, through the vague
communication of a friend, they had been
anticipating, that each interview with the
prisoner might be the last although they
left the cell and the Jail on Thursday, not sup
posing that the execution would take place
the next day. As they entered their car
riage, however, they noticed hustle about
the Jail, and the assembling of crowd, from
which they drew dreaful auguries of the i'm
mlnence of the fatal event and when The
visit of DR.. Putnam was announced yesterday
morning, they at once knew that all was
over.
We drop the curtain over the scene of do
mestlc anguish that ensued. 1t was not un-
relieved by hopes, that the father and hus-
band had deeply and sincerely repented OF
his crime and that the bitterness of death
ton and prayer 10 the Most High.
DR.. Putnam having inquired of the prisoner
yesterday morning, before the religious exer-
cSes IN the cell, whether the were any points
he would like to have touched upon in the
prayer Professor Webster replied that there
were two, which il would be agreeable TO his
feelings to have introduced one was, that
the hearts of his fellow men might be soften.
ed towards him, after he was gone the
other that every consolation from heaven for
the suffering he had inflicted might be
vouchsaIed 10 the family and relatives of the
late DR.. Parkman.
In the interview before the prayer, Profes-
sor Webster alluded 10 his hope of meeting
IN the world to which he was about 10 pass
in'spirit, tenderly beloved child, who died
some years since. He conyersed with per-
feet composure, on various subjects, mostly
OF religious nature,
During the walk to the galows, the conver.
sallon was maintained mostly by DR.. Putnam,
whose object it was 10 keep The prisoner
thoughts so occupied with sacred things that
the appalling spectacle around him should
not cause him to quail. But the prisoner was
firm 10 the last. Not nerve shivered. To
DR.. Putnam's remaIk-'do not regard any,
thing about you-do not lookn as they en-
aiSaI Tic
replied 81 do not. My thoughts are else
where"
All the while the death-warrani was being
read, DR.. Putnam kept up cheering conver-
sation with him, and the prisoner responded
calmly and appropriately. II would have
been difficulty to prescribe demeanor more
becoming under the circumstances, than that
which he exhibited, or to have invented
words more suitable than those which he NJ
tered DIR, Putnam Piled him with remarks
TO keep his thoughts in the right direction,
and to prevent any pause, during which he
might quail. The prisoner gratefully secon-
these humane efforts, but without any fury of
spirits or nervous agitation DIR. Putnam
continued near, conyersing 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 on
nor did he retire from his immediate vicinity
till just as the fatal drop was about to de-
| scend
The flushed appearance of the prisoners
face and the efIusion of tears were produced
apparently by the premature and momen-
tary Tightening of the rope, and not, as some
supposed, by agitation.
The last audiabe words of Professor Web
ster, as the cap was drawn over his face,
were "Father, into thy hands commend
my spirit J"