The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-12-05
CRIME IN NEW YORK.
-Four Young Men Sentenced to Death
Executions ON the 2sth january, 1853.
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COURT OF OYER AND TERMiNER

Executions on the 2sth january, 1853
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COUNT OF OYER AND TERMINER.
Hon Judge Edwards, aud Aldermen Deumau Oakley
Ward, Haley and Cornell, presiding.
Dec Along before ten O'Clock this morning the
leading the of oyer and rermnsr
densely thronsed and the body aud galleries the
room were In fe minutes filled by persons anxious to
witness the solemn that about to beenassd
The galleries almost exclusively occupied by young
that to which the prisoners belong The body
Of the court and the space inside the bar crowded by
gentlemen principally members Of the legal profession,
officials and others attracted by the novelty Of the sene
seldom If ever have the citizens OF New York had
witness four young consigned in day, to tx
nomipous death.
shortly after 10 O'Clock the prisoners Hewlett, Saul
and johnson. condensed for the murder Of Baxter,
the Waterman, and James Boyle, for the mus
der of Charlotte Connery. were conducted to
the lar by MIR. Henry Bartholfe, the officer Of the
Court, and officers Asten and Buchanan The prisoners
are all young men Doyle not more than twentyssvsn
years OF age and the Of the other three be-
tween eighteen and twenty three yesrs Doyle looked
Thoughtful and restless his eye occasionally wandered
round the court The ether prs oners seemed less
conscious OF their awful situation and bore an ar Of
frmness not Of actual indifference or bravado Hoves
fourteen Of age sat his unfortunate reative
his brother fnaw also in court Hewlett native
OF Nova Scotia only eighteen years of agc Saul
born in Ireland, and is few years hts senior; and
Johnson native Of New York, is about twenty or
twenty two years age They said to have belonged
to most daring and desperate gang of river thieves
Doyle is large thick set man, twenty years Of
age, and born in Ireland.
1t indeed painfully and intensely interesting
sight to witness these young standing the bar Of
justice awaiting the apowerful mandate of the outraged
law. Every eye turned towards them during some
short interval which elapsed before the assembling OF the
court. At length Judge Edwards accompanied by the
Aldermen entered and the hum Of conversation and in
luiry ceased
SENTENCE OF DEATH ON DOYLE, FOR THE MURDER
OF CHARLOTTE CoNNERY.
The Oyer and Tcrnnsr having besn opened in the
The District Attorney and said-May please your
honors, l move the judgment of the Court James
Doyle convicted OF the murder of Charlotte Con sery
The Clerk Mr. Vandefyort then intefrogsted the pei
in the usual form and asked him what he had
say why sentence of death, and execution thereon,
should not be passed upon him.
Doyle attempted to speak but could not give utter
lect nythlng about it She my throat Tie pri-
soner here tnrned to his counsel Mr.. Clinton
Mr. H. l. Clinton said the prisoner desires 70 state
that what he intended to say that he has recol
lection Of what occurred at the time Of this homicide
No one regret that it occurred more than he INN self
does His throat il SO much affected by tbs wound that
he has great difficulty in utsrance.
rhe Judge then said
James Doyle, you put upon your trial for the
murder Of Charlotte Copnery. You defended by
able counsel intelligent jury sitter full and care
which we're developed upon the trial, showed that
you not naturally bad man. The testimony Of your
employers, of your fellow workmen and Of your
panops showed that when you yourself you were
amabe in your disposition. and industrious ia your
habits But unfortunately you became the slave OF an
your nature, and stimulated your passions. The
victim Of your fury was weak and defenceless
She was the widow of your deceased friend You had
long been an inmate Of her family and she told
you on the evening preceding the fatal event. she had
your trial, that at a former period you had been con-
scious Of your nrmity and that had pledged your
self to life Of temperance and sobriey But, in evil
hour your resolution yielded. Even in your last fatal
debauch you declared that when that over You
would renew your pledge but unfortunately that good
consequent You have deprived follow being Of her
precious life You have left her orphan children deprived
upon earth There is probably no one who at
this regrets the fatal deed more than yourself
vsness not our privilege that mut Be souSht
higher power The sentence Of the Court is that on
the sh day OF next you be hanged by the neck
The death warrant then signed by the presiding
Judge and Aldermen Ward and Cornell and handed Mr.
Sheriff Carney
JOHNSON, FOR THE MURDER OF BANTER
The District Attorney said in the of the three
young Hewlett Saul and Johnson convicted of the
murder Of Baxter the night Of the twenty fourth Of
August last, now move the judgment Of the Court
The Clerk then in the same form asked each Of them
what they had to ray why death and execu
ton thereon should not be passed upon them
Hewlett repliedFor myself have nothing to say but
for my mother and brothers other friends would be
most gladly happy to say that am not the man VIII
committed the murder for which have suffer accord
Saul said with much sernr ess-I do not think there
is much use in saying anything. anyhow All have
got to say is, that am innocent Of the charge against
me.
johnson said-An have got to say is, that am in
nocent of the crime FOR which have been convicted
Thomas aton. The man named Swift, who gave test
nony against swore to lie and Furthermore. the
man named Morrison, who that the pistol found
with me was one which lie had sold me- was mistaken
it was not the one he sold the one he sold was
taken rom Monaghan by Aichael Hogan
The Judge then proceeded to sentence the prisoners
Nicholas Hewlett. William Saul, and William johnson,
you were jointly indicted for the murder Of Charles Bax
ter Each OF you demanded separate trial. You
defended by able counsel you tried by impartial
and highly intelligent iuries and you were each you,
appreciation Of the court
From what appeared upon the trial, and from informa
convinced that your previous M had those Of de-
pravity and crime But the punishment which you had
already suffered for offences, without any sau
tary effect and instead Of acting warning it only in
creased your boldnes and hardhood until at last you
seemed to think that there something Of herois in
your crimes and that murder could furnish sure safe
The man whom you killed a stranger to you. At a
period when Others seek repoee he had exposed himself
fatigue and danger lie had made these sacrifices the
maintenance Of those whose natural claims taught them
to look to him for support and protection He
gagged in the faithful discharge Of his duties good
citizen, and good Far different were your
occupations You went out in the dark watches
Of the night in pursuit Of plumber You went
prepared with the means OF resistance and death;
and when you alarmed you destroyed your victim
with much Indifference If he had been O beast of
prey Even after you had committed the fatal crime OF
which have been convicted with hardhood almost
without parallel you immediately proceeded to the COM
mission of other crimes after you arrested the
deadly weapon which you had used was found in
the place where you were detected by your fatal
act you not osly destroyed innocent and unof-
Tending man. but you spread dssolation in his ia
mily. And If you have any feeling left, his dying
exclamation necessarily repeated Ny WIFE my children
what will become Of my children should caue de
see ofsrguish in you equal TO the pain which he suffered
You are. all Of you young You have your friends
aud family connections, who have watched your tria
with interest and anxiety not less than yogr own
Bat there has been another clas of spsctntors