Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-09-03

WEBSTER.
Tccgraphod for the Baltimore sun.
BJsToS, Aug. So. VI.
!, is now O'Clock. The most intense excitement pre-
vail, Every and avenue leaking u the jail is filled
with human beings vending iieir htr. III The yiC!a
ity the prison thousands have congegited. The house
tops all around covered with persons anxious I" see
Hundreds may he the doors ard wind vs. and every
place where there Is the slightest chance OF seeing the sad
event. The hrong is immense.
Bos7oS, 10: ocL:cK, A. VI.
The prisoner passed the nigh, calmly and in deep mcd,a
ton lie Brought Of his cell into The Jail yard al
o'clock, accompanied by The Sheriff., officers vi The court,
and the jury with his spiritual advisers. He seemed
wcmcd with grief though apparently resigned to his sad
fate
The prisoner walked with firm step the foot Of the
gows and asccnded the steps supported by The clergy
in tendancr The services the gallows occupied
about halt hour the prisoner joining in them with great
iervency.
When completed he bid farewell 10 all present. shaking
each by The hand, when The sheriff drew the cap over his
face, and fixed the rope 10 his neck In moment after the
trap fell and his spirit passed from time 10 eternity. The
agonies Of death seemed be over his struggles
very few.
The Thong of spectators the outside of the prison.
though they could neither hear, immense.
After the family Of Professor Webster left him. last night
unconscious, il is said, Of his approaching fate he
searched and placed in CELL in order to prevent his
attempting 10 commit suicide.
DR.. Putnam left him at nine o'clock in the evening From
that time until midnight he engaged in devotional exer
cises after which he fell into gentle doze but did not sleep
steadily awaking times with those in the
He spoke Of his impending fate with torttudc and
and tell grateful that the time of his execution had been kept
the knowledge of his family At dawn Of day various
noises appeared disturb him. and he became agated but
would regain his confidence.
By the advice Of Physicians he breakasted and
coffee with bread. He made all preparations ascend the
scafiold with fTnness and did So
The erection OF the galo~s commenced Just al day
light and was completed before o'clock.
About 300 persons admitted within the Jail yard.
The house-tops in the vicinity OF the Jail crowded with
persons, among whom were many women. The streets
leading to the jail were also thronged
At nine O'Clock, after performing religious services in his
CELL the prisoner brought attended by his spiritual
advisers, the sheriff, jaor &c. He walked erect, aud
cended The scatod with firm step. Here he remained
sinking hands. and engaged at times in meditation.
At twenty minutes before 10 o'clock the Cap drawn
his face. He babe adieu 10 the sheriff jaor and Off
GERS and after the trap fell launching his spirit into
eternity He seemed 10 die with but few struggles After
death his body was taken back the CELL and there will
remain until dark. when it will be taken TO his family in
Cambridge for interment Tomorrow No accident that
aware Of happened during the terrible scene.
When Dr. Putnam left, Professor Webster continued his
devoons intervals and conversei with considerable free
dom with the officers Being fully conscious of his DOOM
repeatedly said he had great dread and horror the thought
of being hung. bu, that he Indifferent it. He
said that he had no fear perfectly and entirely prepared
meet his fate His appearance through the night confirmed
his statement OF being reconced and resigned his DOOM
His health remained good and his spirits calm he had
parcnty not lost any flesh DUNG The period of his
fnement, but probably had gained in that respect.
Upon the requisition of High Sheriff Evecth force of
25 men, consisting Of 100 police and watchmen and %
stabeswere detailed for guard of whom 2 constabes and
25 policemen stationed within the yard and IS without
The scaod in the of the yard and more open to
outside view than it would have been any other spot
The scanld changed from the Northwest corner the
centre of the yard which did diminish the view from the
of the building, Lowell street, and added much
the view from Leverett street.
The officers present the execution High Sheriff j.
Eveeth, Deputy Sheritfs Watson Freeman Daul J. Co.
burn, Jabez Pratt Erastus Rugg, and Joseph Cobun.
The High Sheriff called the of the list of witnesses
the execuon he stated that they had assembled by his
invitation as lawful witnesses Of the execution Of John
White Webster he requested them keep order during the