Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-09-13

From the Boston Post we take the following
count of the last moments of John White Webster:
Upon arriving at the foot of the scanld, the cher
iff and deputies Freeman and Coburn assembled the
platform, and were followed by deputy Rugg, Mr..
Andrews, jailor, and Mr. Holmes, turnkey, with the
Prisoner accompanied by DIR. Putnam. The prisoner
assembled with firm step, and at once took his sta
ton on the drop The spectacle was no less awful
ly solemn than extraordinary. On of the clear
est and brightest mornings we have had this sum-
mer there TODD John White Webster, known person
ally to thousand the length and breadth of
the land for quarter of century professor of
chemistry in the most celebrated university of the
New World, with but plank between him and
shameful death, and that plank in a few moments
| to be suddenly dashed from under his feet His
| department was solemn, and his appearance firm,
yet indicative of full consciousness of his sit
uatiOn There nothing in the expression of his
countenance which could be tortured into a
blance of assumed hardihood but it evident that
he had scooled his mind and braced his nerves for
the part he about to take in the tragedy. He
replied in briefsenences, in undertone and some
times by nods to the words of encouragement ad
dressed to him by DIR. Putnam till the cOlloquy was
interrupted by the sheriff announcing to the witness
that he about to read the warrant for the
ton. During the reading he conversed before
with DIR. Putnam. The reading over a chair was
handed up, and he sat down while his legs were
being tied. He then shook hands with the TAILOR
and turnkey, thanked them for their uniform kind
ness to him while under their charge referred to
his fate: and said his doom just Being so reques
ted he stood up again. and deputy Rugg placed the
moose over his head and drew it to the size of his
neck. He moved his head, and said "it was not
quite close enough" and thereupon Mr. Rugg tigh-
tened it. He then remarked 1" that is little too
tight" Mr.. Rugg having slackened it little the
prisoner seized him by the hand shook it affection
ately and thanked him for his attention to his wish
es. Excepting slight flush upon the brow, and the
firm compression ofhis lips, his countenance under
went no change black cap was now drawn over
his face. DIR. Putnam stepped to the south railing
n ScaffCId he last act
in the dread drama by resting it on his hand sup
5 ported by the rail.
At Is minutes before TO- the sheriff announced to
the witnesses that he should then proceed to
the sentence, the warrant for which he had just read
and hereupon with firm step, he trod upon the
spring. the bolt darted them back, the trap doors
flew apart, and the doomed one dropped like shot
distance of nine feet and, after two three spas
modc contractions ceased to exhibit any sign of mo-
ton. In the course of twenty-five minutes, DIR. H
G.. Clark, city physician, and DR. c. H. Stedman, su.
perintendens of the asylum at South Boston, certified
in the usual form to the sheriff that life was extinct
The sheriff officially announced the fact to the
witnesses in brief and impressive address, and
: thanked them for their attendance the melancho
y ly occasion. They then withdrew, the officers de-
: scended from the platform, and the body was cut
down. placed in she'll, and removed to the CELL sub
. Iject to the order Of the friends
So persisted John White Webster, within nine
:. months and one week of the day on which he muir
dered one of the most Jealous and influential friends
of his early manhood-Dr. George Parkman-whC
had, in the course of time, become his deceived
n wronged, and in consequence exasperated creditor
DR.. Webster in his fifty fifth year, or five years
the junior of his victim. In addition to his income
of full $1,000 from his professorshp and lectures
the Medical College he had within few years made
away with about $40 OOO inherited from his father
) the late Redford Webster well-known apothecar,
d at the north end Many who have sought to extern
l. uate his offence and have professed to look in vail
for motive for the commission of that for which b
has suffered have shrunk from the terrible exigen
eies of the case developed in the of trial
To those who could judge Of we'll feel for, tn
nfrmites of human nature, it was clear that Dr.
e. Webster blindy decided his circumstances to be S
desperate taking into view his social position an
increasing years. that he could only preserve himse
k from disgrace, and his family from misery which
q regarded worse than DEATH by removing by vic
W lence him whom he believed had power over hi
L. means of existence rs he felt he only could exist