The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-07-26
DOUBLE SHEET.
THE DOUBLE EXECUTION.
The Hanging OF Edward r. Douglass and
Thomas Bsnson for Murder on the High
Seas-Scene In the T0mbs Yard.

seas-scene In the Tombs Yard.
IN accordance with the United States law, Edward p
Douglass and Thomas Benson convicted Of the murder
Asa Ravens mate Of tho bark Genu on the night
OF the 18th of September 1850 while sailing In the Pa
'chc ocean, and sentenced to be executed on Friday
18th July between the hours Of ten and twelve clock
were launched into eternity Eve minutes past eleven
O'clock, and thur have atoned for the crime committed
against the laws in taking the life Of fellow being
AT an early hour, the avenues and entrances leading
20 inc '''y flison were densely crowded by anxious
PERSONS some with tickets of admission but a much
larger number without awaiting with anxious expecta
stion 10 push their way in possible Near the hour
oil eleven O'Clock some three hundred had been
admitted In the prison yard Among them we noticed
bis Honor Mayor Kingsland, Aldermen Morgans and
conklin the Chief of Police, Mr.. Matsel and large
body OF 20 ceme to keep order together with file of
marines o. zen men, under tho command of Lieut. Noryi
hf SS ne Rscane one Of intense anxiety as the hour
approached for tho doomed men to appear under the
gailcws The Marshal in the prison CELL read the death
warrant Of execution to botb In the presence of Mr.
Hugh Maxwell, j. I. Hail. Y. Ring, and special deputies
Gsllmadge and Thompson. The culprits were then led
from she cells by Deputy Earshals Brown and De Angels
preceded By arsbsl Tamadgc and his two special aids
aLd in proccssl,,: the clorgymen and others The
doomed piacel under the gallows and Mar
shss Brown and De Angels stood close by their side In
order to adjust the fatal rope when directed by
the Marshal The United States Marshal then addressed
Douglass in the following words -
Edward r. Douglass the hour has come for your
execution and you have anything to say, this is the
Douglass ina somewhat tremuous voice. spoke briefly
h follows -
IAN have to say is that the wages of sin DEATH
wages ct sin is DEATH L am now getting nv wages
you See example before you Lee me wara you all
against beginning with small things Of evil lest you end
IN large ACaip Isav layq an mia hafnra
you. Take warning, entreat you have one thing
to say to the United States rsrssl and to all you
peoile-jamee Clements Is innocent Of the crime with
which ne is cbarsedi he Is not deserving OF death
have no more 10 say
when hs cc2yludcd. his countenance assumed
deahly pscr rs forehead and face drenched with
Precipitation his frame shook violently for abou.
minute
Marshal rallmsdse then addressed Benson in similar
language TO that spoken to Douglass.
Benson then spoke follows
Men and Brothers--I have but few words to say to
YOU before leaving thi. world did not have anything
10 do with the murder OF Ravens. did STRIFE him,
nor shoot him. Or stab him. any vion against
him; aud, to my knoSedge, Clements is not guilty of
hour. before God ard man. am about to die l am
prepared, and cay TO you ALL be prepared, when tue
tisnity DOL am resigned; 1 example be-
fore you Farewell my frienas-may meet you all in
heaven"
henson held In bis hand hymn book which had been
lows
On siynfy ing that he wanted TO sing a hymn, his re-
que. was granted by the Marshal In loud cloar and
firm dice he ssns the first of Hymn No $685. from
the hook which he held in his hand Douglass In tone
OF voice tat scarcely audible Joined the singing
The lines were a. follow, viz
And let this feeble body fall
And let IL faint or DIE
My soul shall quit this mournful vale,
And soar 20 worlds on high;
shall Join the disembosiied saints,
And find ITS long sought rest
That only bliss for which 1t pants
In the Eedeencr's breast"
AMER ths conclusion Of the hymn, the Rev. Mr..
cdgee, Of Broc,n, the officiating cergyme o Of the
rtunsts pnca, made short and appropriate prayer
10th q the condemned seemed to unite mentally with
ihe ccrgynaa, in calling for mercy from tae Eternal
JGise, before whom in few moment they about
70 appear and rhrn Tie prayer was ended they added
Marshal Tsmadye and his then shook hand.
With the prisoner bidding them everlasting farewell
While the Msrshsi had I'D Of Bensons hand the latter
Looking him full in the face, said" Marshal may God
tes you and ma meet you In the ranks Of the living
". in full confidence Of saving grace"
AZ shaking hsnds with the clergyman Douglass was
Mr. nodsr aT,sen Mr. IoSrss ToS ls mana ss%a
true friend 20 In ell my trouble; that Is
eDa You bsve been Kind father to me, and feel
Crssa FOR tire interest you have shown In my behalf
Msy God tsss you ara yours; and may Tie keep you
Ftrors ard contsn; In your mins,ratcns to others
concluding these words Douglass seemed almost
IN sfsnting condition lie wiped away the heavy drops
AZ pcrspiru that trecd down his face. gave
s the fatal cord that swung perpcndcutry over his
head end then clotsd his cyes for q f.w ,nds
In tiddrg farewell 20 Rev. Mr. Lockwood Benson
eeld-"Far~v~i brother Keep trim In the faith; aud
nnsy mfe, ,ou in Heaven. God bless you Fare
The guaFd of marines we're then drawn up Ia a line at
the foot 81 the gailoss, and ordered to knvei Tue
tscs COP were drawn over the face. Il tae prson-rs
and the poo~as attached To the hooks on tho cords
Marshal TaiimGaRe then gsvc tao sisu., by oraw.
ing vhi,e hsnctcfr hif roin hts pocket, wnen be-
rr'v Marshal Eateiewcz cut the rope with enc blow
at the axo, and the bodies Of Douglass aud Benson
verv sus'~rdsd In the air. The prisoners had been
standing uHder the Ealiv<s precisely minutes
Eve minute pa, eleven the rope wa cut B.ns51
struggled hard sui the ghth the GUT
fsl he gave lat convrlsive movement aud hs soul
in eserLity Douglass remained perfectly N ,tioules.
1r -vcrs second, lie then drew up hia arms garo
a. three siiebt convusv. twchinrs II the bDfy aud all
over The bodies left nsngiug tiil twenty
minutes e. twelve O'Clock. when Drs. Geer amt "
rl.tcaf Examined them and pronounced M, Stnet
They tbon cpt nd placed In cofRas crrptr-
sory 90 their iniefnent The fcOWng are the certia
es... Of ssts a. given b. the physcians and hed in
This ceytioes that Edssrd y Douglass, born in the
ate % Me- yors sged y yesfs died on the 18th Of
ev'ion q ,he isv. Color, white.
(ssued, shrlI s aEsE MD Physicians.
Ts ccrtif.s tbs. Thomas Benson born in the state Of
Rev yors sced - ycar. died on the 18th 81 July 1851
ct tbe ss Jurtice Cause Of DEATH execution Of the
Law. oOicr tiack
clsrs0 ;ry T s sEFs; ND Physicians.
Afcr che tcteS q the sufferers placed In their
coins, the mother 81 Douglas admitted By Mr. I'd.
ucnts The Efficient end humane warden Of the prison.
The afflicted mother approached the co1n and the In
t'sIt cbs I'd vss rsnoFsd she tell the body ~
end exclaimed in extreme and painfd trief: An my
con ny po0r boy, Jour trials ali over on this
sAtb JSrr isst trial bae proved fatal Ia this
w"r.i she kDeit tie body. aud kissed him again
sad iD At The sane time cutting on portions Of hs
"a hfrsehe@ Of the untimciy ead o. her uufurtun.to
ehsd She has nov daughter the only chd icft hav.
ny s, 9ne da9shef ~ death siIee the pcneins Of the
xre The ers were rcmoeed from the prison BY their
lr'ends during the sfternoun and ugaxrstsni inst
Dtogtses Il u b. buried nj GrccnwQQd inettry aud
Penson Ia the msthedst burying grou
pseuEsRroTlrIs OF TrE CRIMINALS.
During Thursdsy afternoon, Mr.. Daniel y. Gavlt
ssguerrecyrtt corner Of broadway Murray street