Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-09-06


Medical College in Boston, on tie 23d dny If No
renlber, 1919.
From the Eastern papers, the Boston Tran
script and Traveller principally, we copy the
following particulars of Professor Websters
execution on Friday last:
INTERVIEW WITH MS FAMILY
Professor Webster was visited as usual by his
family Yesterday, and they remained with him
nearly four hours. There is every reason TO
believe that they left entirely ignorant as 10 the
day of the execution. The prisoner had felt
great anxiety an regard to this closing interview.
lest he should heiray himself When it was
over, he lek greatly relieved, and spoke cheer
fully lie had detected no sign of a recognition
of the fact that this was their last interview in
the demeanor Of his family. Neither had the
Jatler 10 the latter as they left the cell they
addressed some remarks, plainly indicating their
expectation OF re-yisting the prisoner. An i'm
mense crowd had assembled in Leverett street
and about the Jail, TO see the unhappy family as
they issued; but Mr.. Andrews took Mrs Web
ster and her family through his own house, to a
door opening on Lowell street. where a carriage
was waiting, aud they thus escaped the scrutiny
and remarks of the multitude.
TIE PRISONERS LAST NIGHT
The last interview of DR.. Putnam YESTERDAY
with the prisoner took place between half past
seven and nine O'Clock last evening. Officers
Jones and Leighton were present in the cell, by
the SherlffiS orders. Dr. Putnam wished more
privacy, and the matter was finally compromised
by dismissing the officers, and having MIR Gus
taYus Andrews, the Jafier, alone present OF
TINS interview we cannot say much. There was
no confession contradictory of that already
made bs the prisoner. Professor Webster de-
clared himself willing to de on the galows, as
. partial eXpiaGon of the great wrong he had
done to secietys
His serenity he said was established on reIigi
toft Ip al 1ad to
his execution, and remarked that if he faltered
It would be through no fear of dying, through
no effect upon him of the horrible surroundings
and accompaniments of his doom; but because
of his misgiEings as TO the efficacy of his own
repentance, as to the future, to wlrich he was
going; because of the Z" clouds that might
come over his spirit at the last. He hoped
however, that he should bear up-arranged
that he should be tied by Mr.. Andrews in pre-
ference to any other oficer-and said that he
expected to be tranquil during the night al
though ne might not sleep. After Mr. Putnam
retired, Professor Webster resumed his reading
of the Scriptures, which he alternated with in
ward and inaudible prayer, during which the
TWO officers preserved perfect silence. Occs-
sonally he would close the Bible, and burying
his face in his hands, seem rapt in supplication
and thought.
INCIDENTS.
During great part of the day yesterday the
prisoner occupied himself with setting aside
little memorials for those few friends, ia whose
charitable feelings towards him, when he was
gone, he might hope. He selected number of
his books, and wrote in them the names of sew
eral persons, towards whom he wished to ex-
press some recollection of past obligations and
fayors. He seemed to take much interest in
this occupation. He eat a little fresh fruit
during the day, and exhibited little or no ner-
vousness or physical agitation. Those who
have conyersed with him of late days felt little
hens tn iiS inc IJa
was evidently fully impressed with a sense that
1t was the crime, and moi the gallows that made 1
the shame. Mr.. Sohier, counsel for the pris-
oner, visited him during the day, and took leave (
OF him. Quite number of applications have
been madest6 see the prisoner during the last I
two weeks. Clergymen from various parts of
The country have sought an interview /; and he /
has received numerous letters Of an aGmonitory
censoling nature. The interviews he has, in /
most instances, declined. The letters he has /
read. Indeed, throughout his Imprisonment, he /
has kept up his interest in outward affairs al /
though his thoughts have seemed to be mainly .
devoted to studies and meditatons appropriate (
10 his situation. The cell of Professor Webster
was No. 5, in the east corner of the criminal .
department of the jail !; the same cell in which
Washington Goode was confined.
THE SERVICES IL THE CELL.
a quarter past nine the religious services
commenced in the cell, in the presence of
nesses summoned for the occasion, and the re-
porters of Che press. The prisoner knen before
a chair in the centre of the cell, Dr. Putnam
standing in the doorway, and addressing the
throne of grace.
SPECTATORS
HE gailoWs was surrounded by some 50 per-
sons, including several sheriffs and deputies from
abroad, and large police force. But few mem
bers of the bar or of the medical profession
were present The windows of the surrounding
houses, with the exception of the ialer's which .
was empty and closed, were crowded by persons
Of both sexes and of all ages The tops of the
adjacent buildings, the sheds, out houses, and .
every available point of view were occupied.
The rear windows of the houses on Lowell
street, the houses on Leveret and Wall streets,
all had their eager throngs Of spectators. Pro-
badly they numbered about thousand. There
was some slight disturbance in the crowd at one
time, and the reading of the death warrant was
interrupted by shouts and the crowding of those
solicitous to see the appalling spectacle.
LAST SCENE OF ALL:
At 25 minutes past 8, Sheriff Eyeleth, and his
deputies, Messrs. Coburn, Freeman and Rugg,
mounted the steps Of the scaffold, in the jail
yard, followed by the prisoner, supported by
DR.. Putnam, and by jailer Andrews, and Mr..
Holmes, turnkey. The prisoner took his stand
upon the trap door or drop, and Immediately
under the rope which depended from the top OF
tire gallows frame He was dressed in black
frock coat, buttoned up in front, black pants and
Shoes without any neck cloth, and only por-
lion Of the shirt bosom visible. He Immediately
entered into conversation with mis- spiritual ad-
wiser, which he continued as long as practicable,
and with apparent camness and composure -
Deputy Sheriff Coburn called the attention of
witnesses, &c, to the reading OF the Executive
death warrant, which was next done in an audi
bic manner by the Sherif-who. with his officers
and the assembly, generally remained with un-
covered heads during the reading, with the ex-
cepilon Of the prisoner. The prisoner was then
seated, while Mr.. Andrews proceeded to confine
his elbows by a strap, which also passed around
ibe body and tied the hands orosswise in front
Another strap was bound around tho legs just