Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1850-09-06
BosroN. Aug. 1910. A. M


Third Dspatch.-The family of Professor
Webster paid their usual weekly visit yesterday
afternoon. They entered his cell at 2 o'clock
and remained until quarter of seven. Hun
dreds of persons watched them as they went and
it was with difficulty passage could be mad
for them through the crowd.
Mr.. Sohier and Rev. Mr. Putnam were with
him in the morning, and the former part of the
time while with his family.
Neither Mrs. Webster or her daughters ex-
hibted any extraordinary emotions being doubt
less in ignorance ofthe day of execution.
Officer John c. Leighton clerk of the Jail,
and constable Edward ]. Jones were selected
to watch the prisoner during the night, althou oh
no one apprehended that the Professor would
commit suicide, yet the precaution of keeping
guard over him was, very properly deemed advi-
sable. MIR. Jones was the officer who attended
Professor Webster throughout the scene, and
like Leighton, was conspicuous for his kindness
and attention to the unfortunate man during the
proceedings, in the Jail yard, until the execution
Last night the Rev Dr. Putnam remained
about two honrs with Professor Webster and
united with him in devotional exercises. When
the former had left DIR. Webster continued his
devotlons and at times conversed with consider
able freedom with the officers in attendance, full
y conscious of his doom. He more than once
remarked that he had had perfect dread and hor-
ror at the thought of being hung, but he had out
lived 1t, ne had no fear but was fully and perfect
ly prepared TO meet his fate His appearance
during the night seemed to confirm his state
ment in regard to being reconciled and resigned.
His health remained good, and in spirit he was
calm. About II o'clock he fell asleep and re
NAMED SO until halfpast a. On awaking, he
maintained his usual calmness, and partook to-
lerable breakfast. He had apparently not lost
any flesh during his confinement but if any thing
had gained. He breakfastcd upon tea and coffee
with bread. inviting the officers to partake with
him, and furnishing them with bread, He made
the preparations for ascending the scaffold with
flrmncss The erection Of the gallows was COM
menced at daylight and was completed at ejobt
o'clock.
Pursuant to requistion made by High Sher-
III Eveleth, force ofone hundred policemen and
watchmen, and twenty-five constabes, were de-
tailed for guard duty, the latter and TWENTY-FIVE
of the police, being stationed within the ward.
and the remaining seventy-five without.
The position OF the scaffod, in the centre of
the yard, was undoubtedly more open to the view
OF outsiders than it would have been in any ether
spot, giving, perhaps, dou Die the view which was
afforded at the execution of Washington Goode
Perhaps this was designed Although this
change from the northwest corner TO the centre
of the yard shut off the view from the direction
OF Wall street, it did not diminish the extensive
view of the rear of the buildings on Lowell st
while 1t added extensively to the view of Leverett
street.
AT 8 o'clock the witnesses invited by the
High Sheriff: and the authorities of the State. be-
gan to flock in, making in all, about one hun
dred twenty-five.
AT 10 minutes before 9 O'Clock, High Sheriff
Eveeth called the names contained in the list of
witnesses. He then stated they had assembled
by his invitation, as lawful witnesses of the
death OF John w. Webster He requested
them to keep order during the solemn cereno-
MES.
The company then formed in a column. two
by two, and visited the prisoners cell, where
Rev DR.. Putnam offered up prayer
Inc hall leading to the cell was full of peo-
pie, and the utmost stiffness and solemnity pre-
vailed. The witnesses then proceeded to the
yard and surrounded the scaffod
About 300 were admitted to the iail ward. and
the house tops and windows adjoining the Jail
were crowded with people including mar la
dies
The seats near the Jail were also crowded. but
not densely. At O'Clock the last religious SER
wees were commenced by Dr. Putnam. consist
ing OF a fervent prayer. He invoked the pres
ence, spirit, and grace of God for him. so soon
to die. He prayed that the prisoners repentance
might be accepted, and that he might be prepar
ed to meet DEATH
he prayed for the prisoners family, that the
consoiatlons OF Gods presence and grace might !
De theirs; that when their time of death sbo1d |
nave come, they might meet the prisoner in hea-
ven, where there would be no severinp of the
dered man.