Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-09-06
EXECUTION OF PROFESSOR JOHN W. WEBSTER
Reported for the N Y. Journal of CommeIoss;; oso

Voafe
aS h S;s family He received them with great calm
md conversed with them until nearly seven
His feelings must have been acute bo ne darosnr the
secret that they never again on EARN 70 9e
hd The beloved husband and father Iher arrvai anu ue
parture were attended by the annoying gal ~ Ibe aor
nrassed nv his actions the greatest sympathy ~, 'lel
md when thew took their leave conducted 'sh trougl
the aiyard and his adjoining mouse 10 he
If the spectators And from the sad counter
pnce OF those who met them in their ofciai oa.e s n
from the excitement Of the crowd lucy , ld ,sinr
yuced ;hat the day near at nanu .hal "ouo eo's
,hcm 10 The gref Of the widow ana tie la'heiies'.
soon after their departure preparations we,c uc io w
erection of The scafod, in the centre ol ut 81
, IN the very spot over which the wife aid daugheTs o.
% prisoner had Just passed; and Mr. john u
irhon Clerk of the Jail and constable Edward J. Jones
vino had been selected by DR.. Webster lot me purpose GU
~ hs cell ~ watch as guard with him during fe night
twhsanding the anticpaons OF the public Inc ocers
~ he mil in consequence of his repeated and solemn assn
RANGES have had no apprehension OIL an aen. On W.
If the prisoner commit suicide and no guard was previous
~ a,ioned with him. He convesed freely with his night
,nponions as well with MIR. Sohier his legal counsel,
no called early in the evening on elgious topics. nc NJ
did ,votinr, exercises with the Rev. Dr. Putnam Tor
hont two hours In this manner, and in reading the Bible
% ,; nossed until twelve when he retired and enjoye ed
nuir reposc until about half four o'clock this morning
Alter rising he paook Of ordinary breakfast lie pass
cd round cigars those who present. and smoked one
himself. $1,000 10000.
HE and at nine every avenue leading the Jail was rong-
ed Tue gallows stood in most conspicuous position IN
the Jail yard exposed 10 the view OF tie dense mass OF nu-
man beings Of either SEX and apparently oil every condoh
in life which covered the roofs of the adjoining buildings
The yard the present Jail most nconvencny situated
for private execution the walls being low ana surrounded
bv lofty dwellings, which difficulty will however, be, in
few months obyiaed BY removal 10 new ediilce now
being erected in Grove As the hour OF execution
approached, the excitement grew intense frooaoy rom
six to eight thousand people lined the streets The occu-
pans of many the surrounding houses granted access 10
their roofs the payment OF one dollar most extensive
business of this kind was carried on al mouse IN LeVea
street which afforded the best view OF the scaod occupied
by Mr. Wyeih who has expressed decided opinion
adverse the popey of execution but who probably
comodated less than one hundred and MY spectators
After the roof of this house densey packed three
probably seamen who had either been refused ad
miltance unwilling TO pay the price OF admission,
performed the dangerous feat OF climbing 10 the top OF
The house the conductor which they succeeded IN
sight OF thousands Of spectators and amidst the most IN
tense appchensions their safety and the shouts OF the
multitude in safely accomplishing One hundred and twen-
yve policemen and constabes detailed for active ser
vice. fifty of whom stationed in the yard and seventy
five outside the walls.
Al o'clock the erection Of the scaod, which was the
same used for the execution Of Washington Gocde was
COMPLETED and the invited spectators began 10 assemble
The Rev. DR.. Putnam had previously arrived and entered
the cell of the prisoner few minutes before nine th
High Sheriff. Joseph Evclcth Esq, assembled the official
Witnesses about thirty in number III The rear office OF the a
and stated them the object 81 their presence the order OF
proceedings and the duties which 10 dcvove upon his
several deputies. He then proceeded at their head accom-
panied by the reporters and other spectators 10 the cell Of
Professor Webster.
Al 10 minutes past nine the prisoner fell upon his knees
and Dr. Putnam offered cryent prayer in behalf Of!
the unfortunate and his family The family OF Dr. Park
man the officers of the law and all who present
witness the sad spectacle closing by committing the soul
of the being who about 10 be shered into The presence
Of his Maker the of the God Of Uncrrng Judgment
who meeteh the wandcrer great way OIL anu teinpeeth
mercy with his justice. The door u the cell was then closed
and TIE spectators, with the exception OF Dr. Putnam and
the She and his assistants, Withdrew to the la-yad ne
official witnesses and the reporters occupied an enclosed
in al
ing abou the number .! 200 persons present. stood OUTSIDE
OF the surrounding railing.
Soon the Sheriff. accompanied by his assistants appeared
with the prisoner Dr. Webster assembled the scafiOt with
step, and counonance expressive in the highest de-
gree of calmness and resignation
Sheriff Eyeleth commenced reading the death-warrant,
and profound silence onsued The prisoner engaged in
IN conversation with DR.. Putnam 10 whom, ~ well
as to Tic Sheriff he has repeatedly, up tie closing scene
expressed his conviction that lie prepared 10 meet his
God When the Sheriff paused he shook hands well
he could Tor his own were plnioned with Dr. Putnam and
tie officers in attendance tanHed them io their kindness
and acknowledged The business OF the sentence chair
then passed 10 him. and lie remained seated while MI
Andrews the jaIor and Mr. Holmes, turnkey dashed his
arms and legs. Two Deputy Shcriis, Mr. Rugg and Mr..
Freeman then adjusted the rope and drew the black cap
over his The knot placed al the request OF Dr.
Webster short distance back ot The night ear No emo
tion was visible until these last acts Of duty
mcnced when slight color appeared IN his iacc and tears
stood in his eyes.
At eyacy IS minutes before 10 ocock the Sheriff stepped
forward and addressed the Witnesses TN the
o the Commonwealth Massachusetts and in accordance
with the warrant the Chief Executive proceed to
execute the Of the law upon the person Of John
White Webster convicted al March Supreme
Judicial Court Of the murder of DR.. George Parkinan"
Hc Immediately stepped upon the spring. the drop fell
and the prisone with the words upon his lips "Oh God
into Thy hands commit my spirit, was launched into
eternity Twice there slight muscular contraction of
the limbs, and all was STILL
For minutes there deah-like stiffness. Every
body bent forward and every eye gazing upon the life
less form of the prisoner though each spirit would for
an instant look beyond the confines of this life into that
from, Tho ulpfJ shall
In thirty minutes the attending physicians Dr. Charles
II. Stedmln OF the Insane Asy um South Boston, and
Henry c. Clark the city physician examined the body and
reported the Sheriff that life extinct the latter then
again addressed the Witnesses announcing The full execution
the Of the law, informing them of The DISPOSE
ton that would be made of the rcmrins and thanking them
Tor the order and popety .: department that had been uni
vrrsaly manifested.
with the previous request oi Dr. Webster conveyed
the cell he had occupied Il will be privately delivered
his friends this evening Ii is understood that the burial
will take place Sunday.
The whole proceedings Of the execution have been
Quoted with Tie perfect order and solcmn1y. The
engagements complete and successful. The officers of
the law and particularly the High Sheriff, have performed
the painful duties devosing upon them with iahiuness 10
public, and al the time lively regard 10 the feel
of the prisoner. The majesty human Law has been
upheld but every opportunity has been given the prisoner
that the body should alone be affected BY the sentence Of
that law.
The following letter, written the 9th ult, by Professor
Webster the Rev. Dr. Francis parhnan the brother Of Dr.
George parkman published in Boston, by authority
and teesraphci in full for the New York Herald:
PROFESSOR WEBSTER TO REV. DIR. PARkMAN
BosroS, August s. 1850.
REV. Dr. PARkMAS-Dcar Sir-I cannot leave this world
in the peace mind for which pray, without addressing
the head of that family which have deeply in
urcd and afflicted make known yon and them the Bit
anguish OF soul the sincere conron and penence
felt at having been the OF the aicon under
which you and they have been called 10
oer for my wicked and fatal ebuilion Of
passion but what You already know; would attempt
pallale il. had never until the two three last inter
views with your brother felt towards him anything but
gratitude his many Of kindness and friendship.
That should have allowed my feelings, excited the
cnon To have oyerpowered me involve the life Of
your brother and my temporal ana eternal welfare
cam even now, hardly realize. may from you receive
forgiveness in this world yet cannot but hope and believe
you will think of me with compasson and remember in
your prayers Him that will away from the hum
Bile and repentant Had many lives with what joy would
lay them all down could in The least for the injury
have DONE alleviate the affection have caused; but
only pray for forgiveness for myself and for every
consolation and blessing upon member of your family
In justice to those dearest 10 me- beg TO assure you and
enreat you 10 believe me, OF my family had the
slightest doubt Of entire innocence up TO the moment
when the contrary communicated them by DR.. Put
That they have your sincere pity and sympathy
feel assured There is family every member of
10