Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-09-05

euce OF the law vas yooter0oy carried INTO er-
feet upon Dr. John w. Webster, who was found
guilty Of the murder Of DE-. George Parkman.-
The papers Of yesterday afternoon contain many
particulars IN relation to the execution, some of
which we give. The minutie of hanging
scene, however interesting, we have little taste
for. Dr. Webster had an interview with his
family on Thursday afternoon, in his cell. The
time YVES chiefly occupied in reading the Script
ures. They were ignorant of the day set apart
for his execution, and left him with the expecta-
ton of seeing him again. Rev. Dr.. Putnam was
with the prisoner on Thursday, from o'clock
ii 9. The prisoner appeared calm and compos-
ed. Two officers remained in the cell with him
during the night He lay down on his bed a.
bout II o'clock, and slept until six. He ate a
hearty breakfast in the morning, and smoked a
cigar. At quarter before eight, DR.. Putnam and
Mr.. Andrews, the jailer, visited the prisoner in
his cell. The arrangements for the execution
had all been explained the previous evening"
DR.. Putnam continued in the cell until the pris-
oner was taken to the gallows. Mr.. Andrews
came out lew minutes before nine, ard shortly
afterwards returned with the Sheriff and jail Of
6cers, who then took formal and affectionate
leave OF the prisoner.
The following we copy from the Transcript:
At quarter past nine the religious services
Commenced in the cell, in the presence of Sher-
if Eveleth, the Jail officers, the legal witnesses
summoned for the occasion, and the reporters of
the press.
The prisoner knelt before chair in the centre
Of the cell DIR. Putnam standing in the door
way. and addressing the throne Of grace. The
prayer occupied seven minutes. After a brief
but touching allusion TO the solemn and melan-
choly character of the occasion. he prayed ferv-
emily for the prisoner, commencing him TO the
mercy OF an ail-wise and benehcent God. He
expressed his belief that the prisoner was prep
AIRED, SO far as sincere contrIton for bis offence
and psos,ration of soul in humble applications
for forgiveness, and reliance upon The Saviour's
promises, Could qualify hin for his departure.
Mr.. Putnam then prayed fervently for the ia
mliy, that the same grace and mercy might su-
stain them in their great affection, and enable
them to support it with resignation and humble
hope. He prayed that this terrible example
might have saluiary effect on the whole con-
munliy, IN teaching them the danger of unre-
strained passion, and inspiring humility and self
dlsrust.
The officers Of the lane, whose duty it would be
to carry the sentence OF the law into effect,
were also remembered in his praper; and he
asked, that while they nigh, perform their pain
:ui functions with frmness, it would also be In a
spirit OF tenderness and Compassion for their fell
low-being, who was about to pass before nigh
er tribunal, whose justice would be sure to be
tempered with mercy; and he hoped that some
OF the spirit, which would preside in that higher
court might shed lis benign influence to aid
them on thls trying occasion.
After again ferventiy Commencing the prison.
er to divine mercy, the services were concluded
without iu ther Ceremonies, and the company re-
tired from the building.
The Spectaiors-The calows was surround
ed by soiue 100 persons including several sherfs
and deputies from abroad and large police force.
Blu; few members OF the bar or Of the medical
profession were present. The windows of the
surrounding houses, with the exception named,
were crowded by persons of both sexes and all
ages. The tops Of the adjacent bui dings. the
sheds, out houses, aad every available point of
view were occupied. The rear windows of the
houses on Lowell street, the houses on Leverett
and Wall streets, all had their eager throngs of
spectators. Probably they numbered about
thousand. There was some slight distuI bance
10 The crowd at one tine, and the reading OF Tie
death warrant was interrupted by shouts and the
crowdiDgs OF those solIclious to see the appal-
ling spectacle.
Last Scene of an, At 25 minutes past 9,
Sheriff E'eic'h, and his deputies, Messrs. Cob
urn, freeman and Rugg, mounted the steps of
The scaffold, In the Jail yard, followed By the
prisoner, supported 10y DR.. Putnam, and by jail
er Andreas aai Mr.. Holmes, a turnkey.
he prisoner took his stand upon the trap
door, or drop, and Immediately under the rope
which depended from the top of the galows
frame. lie was dressed in a black flock coat,
buttcned up In front, black pants and shoes.
WI bout any neckcioth, and only a portion of the
shirl-bosom visible. lie immediately entered
INTO conversation with his spiritual adviser,
winch he continued as long as practicable, and
WIN apparent calnness and composure.
Deputy Sheriff Coburn called the attention
OF the Witnesses, &C., to the reading of the Ex-
ecutve death warrant, which was next done in
an andihe manner by the Sheriff-who, with
his Offices and the assembly, stood with un-
covered heads during the reading, with the ex-
ception of the prisoner.
The prisoner was then seated, while Mr.. And
rews proceeded to confne his elbows BY strap.
which also passed around the body and tied The
hands crossvise in front Another strap was
bound around the legs, just above the knees.
A'ter the Prisoner had again risen upon his
feet, the rope was drawn down and adjusted a.
round his neck by Deputy Sheriff Rueg. The
knot was PLACED a little behind the Tisht ear
and the rope beng by accident drawn too close
ly, the cuprifs tountenance became flushed and
his eyes hliet with tears, when the moose was
instantly slaekened.
The black cap was drawn over the head BY
Messrs. Rugg aud Holmes; thus shutting cut
forever from the prisoners mortal vision the
beautiful sunlight and blue sky of this fair sum-
mer day.
The flushed appearance of the prisoners face
continued as the cap was descending and, to
the last moment, he turned his eyes sideways
upon Dr. Putnam, who stood at the left, leaning
upon the railing, and much affected
Sheriff Eveleth announced that in the name
of the Commonwealth he should now proceed:
to carry into effect the sentence of the law, and
placing his foot upon the drop, the
prisoner fell same seven feet and half; and hn
mortal career was at an end. This took place
at rs minutes before 10 o'clock.
The body swayed slightly to and fro and, in
a few seconds after the fall, there was a spas
modic drawing up Of the legs, once or twice
Beyond this there was no observable struggle;
nor was there any subsequent agitation or quiv-
ering of the body.
Alter hanging thirty minutes the body was
examined by Doctor Henry G. Clark, City Ply
stefan, and by DR.. Charles II. Stedman, of the
Lunatc Hospital, South Boston; and they iD-
formed the Sheriff that life was extinct
The Sheriff then announced the fact TO the
and after thanking the witnesses for
their prompt attendance, he dismissed them from
further service.