North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-08-16

EXECUTION THE CosDEN MURDERERs. Murphy,
Taylor and Shelton, convicted of the murder of the
Cosden family, in February last, were executed al
Chestertown, Maryland, Friday last. Shelton re-
manned careless and Indifferent to the last; Murphy
shouted praise to Almighty God, prayed for his wife
and children, and persisted in his innocence to the
last; Taylor decarnd confidence that the Almighty
would take of him. but wept at the idea of leav
ing his wife and children.
At 81 minutes past 10 o'clock the Sheriff, with his
assistants, VIM. Parker and John Greenwood, pro-
ceeded adjust the around the neks OF the con-
demned. The cord was arranged as to allow a
fall of the bodies of about Sax feet. Shelton still
preserved his uniform position of down cast eyes,
and apparent cod stupid, insensbiiy of hereafter.
Murphy and Taylor manifested no great uneasiness,
requesting be hurt placing the cord, but
heard to pray after the black cap was drawn down
over their faces.
The platform was cleared of all but the prisoners
All ready for the fatal moment appointed for
launching these unfortunate men into eternity. The
Sheriff stood with the puy cord in hand ; the pro-
oundes silence prevailed in every part of the crowd
and just Murphy in his audible prayer was heard
to excIaim IS going home,'' the platform fell
which the condemned stood, and Taylor and Shelton
suspended in the air, and passed from time
to eternity with SCARCELY a struggle. The only mo.
ton at all perceptible was muscular movement of
Sheon'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 gathering timber composing the platform on
which they all had stood just instant previous.
1t was an awful scene. The victim bounded about
the ground and uttered most hearthrilling means
and cries. There up simultaneous melan-
choy sound from the assembled thousands of people,
and an involuntary movement the part of the crowd
to press up, so as to the unhappy man. But
with word almost perfect order was restored. One
sentiment 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 cord touched, cut and emitted some
BLOOD He asked for water, but he could not pass it
down his throat. He so far recovered as to talk
freely, though he suffered much pain. In the mo-
ment of his descent he experienced, in all probability
a pang equal to those who died. The clergy attend.
ed him when restored and he still persisted in his
innocence; and also declared his belief of Shetons
innocence.
After the bodies of Taylor and Shelton had hung
twenty-seyen minutes they were declared Dead and
were lowered into their collins. There was nothing
unusual about the appearance of Shelton. Tayor's
neck-bone was broken and his head nearly severed
from his body, deep had the cord entered the
flesh.
Murphy again taken to the scaffod. He still
protested his innocence, also that of Shelton
but said he knew nothing of Taylor. At twenty
minutes past IL o'clock the rope again put around
his neck He moaning piteously and praying.
The platform fell. and Murphy was corpse, with
but slight shuddering of his body.
Thus ended the sad event.