The southern press., 1851-08-13

of Smyrna, Delaware, (who has bestowed some
charities upon Taylor's family,) was called, and
Mr.. Ricaud handed him ten dollars for the use
of Taylor's family. Mr. Davis, at Taylors ex.
pressing uneasiness about his body after death,
promised him to have il conveyed to the resi-.
dence of his wife, and decently 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 to allow a fall OF the bodies
of about six feet. Shelton still preserved his
uniform position of down cast eyes, and ap-
parent cold, stupid, insensibility of hereafter.
Murphy and Taylor manifested no great un-
easiness, requesting not to be hurt IN placing
the cord, but were heard to pray after the black
cap was drawn down over their faces.
w The platform was cleared of all but the
prisoners. All was ready for the fatal moment
appointed for launching these unfortunate men
into eternity. The sheriff stood with the pully
cord ia hand; the profoundest sil Ms prevailed
in osSsy part Of The crowd, aad Just as MUIR
ply in his audible prayer, was heard to exclaim,
9 | am going home," the platform fell on which
the condemned stood, and Taylor and Shelton
were seen suspended in the air, and passed from
time to eternity with scarcely struggle. The
only motion at all perceptible was muscular
movement of Shelton's shoulders; but the knot
of the cord around Murphy's neck gave way,
and the unfortunate man came down upon the
earth, almost simultaneously with the clattering
timber composing the platform on which they
all had stood just an instant previous. 1t was
an awful scene. The victim bounded about on
means and cries. There came up smultane-
| v,oIo oh 81, ha lad
thousands Of people and an involuntary move
mert on the 'assrt of the crowd to PRESS up, so
as to ses the unhappy man. But 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 it down his throat He soon
so far recovered as to talk freely, though he suf-
fered much pain. In the moment of his descent
he experienced, in all probability. pang equal
to those who died. The clergy attended him
when restored, and he still persisted in his inno-
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 coffins. 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 scaffold He
still protested his innocence, also that of shal-
tons-but said he knew nothing of Taylor. At
twenty minutes past ! / o'clock, the rope was
again put around his neck. He was mourning
most piteously and praying. The platform fell,
and Murphy was a corpse, with but slight shud-
dering of his body.
Thus ended the sad event
Murphy's snn-in-la.- <ShAlton's brother) vii
take care of his body, and Shefton-s also.
Drs. Whaland, 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 jailer, and other
gentlemen v no aided in affording facilities in
the way Of my duty, return my thanks. Also,
to Capt. Sturgeon, cf the steamboat Cecil, for
affording an early opportunity to return to Bal
timore, &c.