The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-08-11

the cord, but were heard 10 pray alter tie black
cap was drawn down over their fscsx.
The platform was cleared Of al 0ut he
prisoners- All was ready for the fatal momept
appointed for launching thsss unfortunate men
into eternity. The sheriff stood with the pully
cord in hand the profoundest silence prevailed
in every part of the crowd and just ~ Muir
ply, in his audible prayer, was heard 10 exclaim,
:" am going home," tho platform fell on which
the condemned stood, aud Taylor aud Shelton
were seen suspended in the air, and passed from
time TO eternity with scarcely struggle. The
only motion at all perceplible was a muscular
movement of Shelton's shoulders but the knot
of the cord around Murphys neck gave way,
and the unfortunate man came down upon the
EARTH almost simultaneously with the Gathering
timber composing the platform on which they
all had stood just an instant previous II was
an awful scene. The victim bounded about on
the ground, and uttered most heart-thriling
means and cries. There came up simuItane-
GUS melancholy sound from the assembled
thousands of people and an involuntary move
ment on the part of the crowd 10 ress up, so
as to see the unhappy man. Bat with word,
almost perfect order was restored. One senti-
ment Of regret at the untoward accident came
from every lip, and feeling Of the profoundest
moral character seemed to prevail in every
breast
Murphy was lifted to chair the skin of his
neck, wherever the chord touched was cut, and
emitted some blood. He asked for water, but
he could not pass il down his throat. He soon
80 far recovered AS to talk freely, though he suf
fered much pain. In the moment of HE descent
he experienced, in all probability, pang equal
to those who died The clergy attended him
when restored. and he still persisted in his limo
cence; and also declared his belief of Shelton's
innocence.
After the bodies of Taylor and Shelton had
hung twenty-seven minutes they were declared
dead, and were lowered into their collins. There
was nothing unusual about the appearance of
Shelton. Taylor's neck bone was broken and
his head nearly severed from his body, so deep
had the cord entered the flesh.
Murphy was again taken to the scatiold. He
still protested his innocence. as also that of Shell
tnn's-bu said he knew nothing Of Taylor. AT
twenty minutes past / l o'clock, the rope was
again put around his neck. He was mourning
most piteously and praying. The platform fell
and Murphy was corpse, with but slight shud
dering of his body.
Thus ended the sad event
Murphys son-in-law, (Sheton's brother) will
take care fhis body, and Sheltons also.
Drs Whaand, Houston and Marsh were in
attendance
1t is supported there were some seven or
eight thousand persons to witness the scene
There was not white lady present, believe.
Not one incident occurred TO disturb the solem-
nifty Of the occasion.
TO Messrs Ricaud and Moore, Mr.. Cam,
the sheriff, Mr.. Greenwood, the jailcr, and other
gentlemen Who aided in affording facilities in
the way of my duty, return my thanks. Also,
to Capt. Sturgeon, CT the steamboat Cecil, for
aftording an early opportunity to return to Bal
tinore, &C.