Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-08-16

ness about his body after death, promised
him 10 have it conveyed TO the residence of
his wife, and decenty buried
AT 81 minutes past 10 o'clock, the sheriff
with his assistants, VIM. Parker and John
Greenwood, proceeded TO adjust the ropes
around the necks Of the condemned. The
cord was so arranged as 10 allow a fall Of
the bodies of abou, six feet. Shelton still
preserved his uniform position of downcas'
eyes, and apparent cold, stupid insensbi'i'y
Of an hereafter. Murphy and Taylor mani
tested no great uneasness, requesting no' 10
be hurt in placing the cord, bn' were nea'u
TO prav after the black cap was drawn down
over their faces.
The platform was cleared Of all but the
nrisoners. all Vas ready for the fatal mo-
ment appointed for launching the untortu-
nate men into eternity. The Sheriff stood
with the pully cord in hand. The profound
est silence prevailed in every part of the
crowd, and just as Murphy in his audible
prayer was heard 10 exclaim, a am going
home,n the platform fell on which the con-
demned stood, and Taylor and Shelton were
seen suspended in the air and passed fro n
here TO eternity with scarcely a struggle -
The only motion at all perceptible was
a musclar movement of Shelton's shoul-
ders
But the knot of the cord around Murphy's
neck gave way and the unfortunate man
came down upon the earth almost simuta-
neously with the claltering timber compo-
sing the platform on which they all stood
Just an instant previous. 1t was an awful
scene. The victim bounded about on the
ground and uttered most hear-thrlIling moans
and cries. There came up "A simultaneous
melancholy sound from the assembled thou
sands of people, and an involuntary move
ment on the part Of the crowd to press up so
as 10 see the unhappy man. But with a
word, almost perfect order was restored.-
One sentiment of regret at the untoward
accident came from every lip, and a feeling
of the profounest solemnity seemed 10 pre-
vail in every breast.
of his neck, wherever the cord touched, was
cut and emitted some blood. lie asked for
some water, but he could moi pass il down
! his throat. He soon so far recovered as 10
talk freely, though he suffered much pain in
the moment of his descent. He eXperien-
ced, in all probability, pang equal to those
who die The clergy attended him when
restored, and he still persisted in his inno'
cence, and also declared his belief in Shell
toms innocence.
After the bodies of Taylor and Shelton
had hung twenty seven minutes, they were
declared dead, and were lowered into thei
coffins. There was nothing unusual abon
the appearance of Shelton. Taylor's necl
bone was broken, and his head nearly sever
ed from his body, so deep had the cord en-
tered the flesh
Murphy was again taken to the scodold.-
He still protested his innocence, as also tha
of Shelton, but said he knew nothing o
Taylor. At 90 minutes past II o'clock, tn
rope again put around his neck. He wa
moaning most pteously, and praying. Th
platform fell, and Murphy was a corpse
with but slight shuddering of his body.
Thus ended the sad event. Murphy
son-in-law--Sheldon' brother--wl TAX
care of his body, and Shelton's also.
1t is supposed that there some or 500
persons 10 witness the scene. There wa
not white lady present, believe not on
incident occurred 10 disturb the solemuily c
the OCCASION