The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1850-09-02
Execution of Prof. web ter.


We copy from the Boston papers of Saturday, some
ldtional incidents in the melancholy tragedy of Fri
day last. The Transcript says:
Gone incident, which seemed to affect happily the
spirits of the prisoner, during the interview with his
family may be worthy of mention. For several months
they have been in the habit of reading the bible to him
IN his CELL taking the chapters of the New Testament
IN regular course, without skipping. The chapter
which thus came up yesterdays and was read, was that
exutant and consolng chapter, the 18th in Paul's
First Episte to the Corinthians, in which occur the
words
Now this say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot
inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption
inherit interruption.
Behold, shew you mystery; we shall not all sleep,
but we shall all be changed,
In moment, in the twinkling OF eve, at the last
trump; for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall
be raised incompatible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptibe must put on interruption, and
this mortal must put on immortality.
So when this corrupible shall have put on incomup
ton, and this mortal shall have put Immortality, then
shall be brought to pass the saying that is written
Death is swallowed up in victory.
0 death, where is thy sting grave, where is thy
victory?
The sting of death is SIM and the strength of sin
the law.
But thanks be to God, which gveth us the victory,
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The prisoner seemed much impressed by the coinci-
dence, which had, without calculation any ones
part, given this chapter be read his last interview
with his family, ard the last day of his earthly
istence. He required to the incident, after the inter-
view, with very obvious pleasure and seemed to de-
rive much hope and consolation from the inspired
surances Of the Apostle to the resurrection Of the
dead, sown sin dishonor'' and SIN weakness"
The Post says that "Dr. Webster was in his fifty
fifth year, five years the junior Of his victim. In
addition to his income of full S2000from his professor
ali and acturar he Madsc,I bo Lod 81
in few years made away with about $40 900, inher-
tied from his father, the late Redford Webster we'll
known apothecary at the north end. Many who have
sought TO exenuate his offence, and have protested to
look in vain for motive for the commission of that for
which he has suffered, have shrunk from the terrible
exgnces of the case as developed in the course of the
trial. To those who could judge Of well feel for
the lnrmltles Of human nature, it clear that DIR
Webster bndly decided his circumstances to lie so des-
pelate, taking into view his social position and ncreas-
ing years, that he could only preserve himself em dis
grace, and his family from misery, which he regarded
as worse than death, by removing by violence him,
whom he believed had power over his of exist.
enee. s4
The announcement that the family of the late
Prot. John White Webster were in ignorance of the
day on which he was to suffer the extreme penalty
of the law, discredited by most persons, while
those having the best opportunity for Judging, were
perfectly satisfied of its truth. As confirmation Of
II De THAT
the family had remained in the cell four or five hours
they were kindly informed that the hour for closing
the jail had arrived, whereupon Mrs. Webster pu
the inquiry-''Wil this be your hour of closing
for the future?'' The inquiry took the TAILOR some
what by SURPRISE but after moments hesitation HI
answered in the affirmative, and the family mmedi
ately withdrew, without suspicion that that vsi
was TO be their last.
Immediately after the execution, Rev. DIR. Put
I0aF1, dad 20 Tho oc NJ
and impaired to her and her afflicted children tn
sad intelligence that her husband and their fathe
was no more! The solemn and deeply painful seen
which ensned, should be yelled from the public gaze
Rather than to ntrude upon that sacred ground, le
us join tears with theirs, and by heartfelt svmpa
thy, seek to bind up and comfort their crushed an
bleeding hearts.
The remains of Prof. Webster were conveyed las
evening to the residence of the family, from whenc
they will be removed to Mount Auburn and deposit
ed in the family tomb.
The last audible words of Prof. Webster, as tn
cap was drawn over his face, We're: GATHER, IN
TO THY HANDS | COMMEND MY sPIRIr!''
The wish of the prisoner as expressed the eve
ming before, both 10 Sheriff Eveleth and DIR Putnam
was that the execution might be as prompt as posi-
Bile, saying that he would be ready at any momer
after o'clock. This request the Sheriff observe
so far as the convenience and decorum of the occa
sion would allow.
For some days before his death, Professor Wei
ster's fayorite reading, next to the Bible, was i
Cummings Works. He also found much to sooth
him and crafty his religious and literary taste
coverings ''Matins and Vespers,'' and in Longfe
lows Collection ofhymns. He made presents Of tn
last named works, with appropriate passages mark
ed in them, to various friends a
+ FEES IN CALIFORNIA. correspondent G