Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-09-19


up.
T,oenty; ;fpe minutes to ten o'clock.-Everv thing
being ready for the execution. Professor Webster
was directed to take his place in the melancholy
procession which was being formed. He did so.-
The High sheriff led the way followed by the jailor
and turnkeys of Leverett street jail Next came
Professor Webster, supported by the Rev. Mr. Put
nam, whom the unfortunate man requested to stay
with him to the last moment. and consahles Dexter
and Eastbrook. Professor Webster walked firmly
but dejectedly to the scaffo,d, amid the most pro-
found silence. His step was drm, and his counte-
nance betrayed no emotion. He looked at the
ground, and was apparently resigned to the doom
which awaited him. He was dressed in plain suit
ofblack, and had no neckcloth. His frock coat was
buttoned the greater part Of the way.
Tcentr-three minutes to ten.--Tbe procession
reached the scaftold. and the condemned was mo-
toned to place himself directly under the rope,
which he did accordingly.
The Sheriff read the warrant for the execution Of
John w. Webster for the crime of murder. While
he doing so. the condemned and Rev. DR. Put
nam were earnestly engaged in conversation, the
former repeatedly bowing, il acqniescing in wha:
Putnam, and the officers commenced their sad du
ties.
Professor Webster was reqaested to take seat
on chair, so that his legs mightbe confined. The
Deputy Sheriff then strapped them.
Prof Wehster's legs having been fastened, the
Sheriff took leave of the unfortunate man, Prof.
Webster convulsively shook the Sheriff. hand. and
retained it in his for few seconds, but did not
speak. The roap was placed around his neck, and
the black Cap put on. An intense feeling was man
tested by the spectators.
Seventeen Minutes to Ten o'csock.-The Sheriff ad-
dressing the people assembled, speaks as follows,
holding in his hand the warrant Of executon:-
s.In the name of the Commonwealth OF Massuchu-
setts. and of the good people of thereof, now pro-
ceed to execute the orders contained in this dc ath
warrant"
The Sh.ritf,hen turned round faced the prisoner,
took single step. placed his foot on spring--.he
part OF the platform on which Prof. Webster stood
fell, and the unfortunate man was hanging by the
neck. The fall about eight feet, and to appear
ances his neck was dislocated. He struggled but
little and evidently suffered pain. The only ev-
idence of the death struggle, which he manifested
a slight convusive movement of the legs,
which were partially drawn up for an instant. In
less than four minutes all signs of life extinct
and Prof. Webster was in the other world. there,
we trust. to receive forgiveness for his crime.
After remaining suspended just half an hour, ,Drs
Henry c. Clark and Charles II. Stcdman examined
the body, and informing the Sheriff that life was ex-
tnct that officer declared il to the legal witness
ses and spectators; and at the same time thanked
the witnesses, in the name Q. z.he commouw ealth,
isl attending and aiding the tssices Of the law in
the painful. duty which had just been performed.
\ pine coffin, painted black, was then placed be-
meath the body. The corpse was lowered, the rope
removed from the neck, the lid of the coffin was
nailed down, and the body was then removed to the
cell which Professor Webster recently occupied,
according to the Professors express desire. 1t will
remain there till evening, and then be delivered TO
the friends Of the unfortunate criminal.
While living, Prof Webster enjoined the Sheriff
not TO permit any person to look at his remains
while they were in the Jail. under stand that late
in the evening the body will be taken TO Cambridge
where arrangements will be made for the funeral,
which will take place on Sunday next. The body
will be deposited in the family vault at Mount Au-
burn, one of the mos, beautiful cemeteries in the
arranged by Prof. Webster himself.
II was rather singular that the very instant when
the condemned man dropped, the whistle of a loco
motive, on one of the railroads sounded by the
engineer. The noise peculiarly melancholy
resembling more loud and distant moan than
whistle.
Among those who attended the execution in the
performance of his official duty deputy sheriff,
was son of former Professor of Harvard Uni
University.
understand that the proprietor of an adjoining
house from the roof of which the melancholy scene
could be witnessed, rented standing places to all
who applied for them at the rate of dollars each.
One house was forcibly opened and occupied by
persons who wanted to see the execution.
Professor Webster was in the fifty sixth year of
his age.
was informed, Immediately after the execution
took place, that Professor Webster was interrogat
ed as to whether he wished to make any further
confession, he said that he did not-that the last
was true and that he could not ada to,
nor subtract from it. He died, therefore. with the
assertion that the killing of DR. Parkman was not
premeditated-that in a moment of passion he
struck him with piece of grape vine, that death
was the result and for the purpose of conCeaiing
the act he attempted to dispose of the body in the
manner specified.
NoRruERN SLAVE DEALERs.-In the
debate on the fugitive slave bill, in the
Senate, Mr. Pratt divulSed IA statement Of
Mr. Berrien's, TO the effect that the latter
had collected uDwards of 300 900 for a