Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-04-24
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
EXECUTION OF REED AND CLEMENS

EXECUTION OF REED AND CLEMENS.
Yesterday morning. at liz O'Clock, these uil-
happy men underwent the extreme penalty OF the
law. vast concourse of people-men, women
and children, OF all colours, from snowy white to
sooty-occupied the valley, in the immediate
neighborhood of the gallows; the hills on either
side too, were also crowded with anxious m ul-
titude attracted thither by the novelty of public
execution.
At 9 o'clock, A. NJ the Dragons, the Grays,
the Montgomery Guards and the Young Guard
paraded, und after forming, marched to the coun-
ty Jail, for the purpose of guarding the convicts
to the place of execution.
At half past 10, the prisoners, attred in loose
dark-coloured robe, fitting compactly about the
neck, and wearing on their heads dark blue navy
caps, made their appearance in an open spring
wagon, drawn by two horses. Besides the Sher-
if of the county, the Jaor, and the Deputy Mar
shall. the prisoners were attended by two Catho-
lie Prests-the latter being seated by the side of
each of the unhappy men. The military having
taken I'D proper positions, the melancholy process
sion moved up Main street to the Old Market
House, where it filed off to the right, and pro-
ceeded slowly up the Valley to the place of execu
ton. During the whole time occupied in pas
sing from the prison to the gaows, the eyes of the
unfortunate convicts appeared riveted to the holy
bibles spread before them by their ghostly confess
sors. Upon reaching the place of execution the
military formed around the gallows-the prison.
were then directed to ascend the PLATFORM
Reed obeyed the order with alacrity, and ascend
ed the steps leading to the scaffold with firmness
and steadiness; Clemens followed with slower
though not less steady step. After reaching the
platform the unhappy convicts were exhorted by
the Priests to put thertrust in God. Preparations
were then made for the execution. The hands
of both convicts were tied, caps were drawn over
their faces, and the cords adjusted about their
necks. The platform was then cleared; the trlg-
ger which supported it was drawn, and in mo-
ment the unfortunate men were launched into
eternity. Reed died apparently without a strug-
gle; Clemens struggled moment or so-h1s frame
underwent one or two convulsive throes-and
then life became extinct After hanging the al
lotted time the convicts were cut down and in
tered.
Throughout the whole painful ceremonies pre-
ceding the execution, the unfortunate criminals
evinced the utmost fortitude. Each met his fate
Will uIHilloSS uiN iSSiSuoC AAoiiA oAO 'AiA'o
ii \HNerged from the prison. to the awful mo-
ment preceding their execution, neither gave evil
dence of the slightest degree of unmanly fear.
During the progress of the melancholy process
sion up the Valley to the place of execution, the
manifestations Of popular sympathy in behalf OF
the unfortunate convicts We're general and heart
felt; but here as well as at the gallows, the ut
most order prevailed, all bowling with the great
est respect to the majesty of the law. Immedi-
ately preceding the execution, an incident occur
red near the scaffold, which produced moment
airy panic. A spirited horse became unmanagea-
Bile, and gave evidence of a desire to pitch his
rider upon the heads of the mass of human be-
ngs wedged in between the military side
and Bacon's Quarter Branch on the other. Whilst
the horse rearing and charg ing, rush
made by the crowd to get beyond the reach of his
hoofs. Many persons were forced into the branch
and the pressure created II momentary confusion
amongst a section of one of the volunteer corps,
one OF two members of which were forced out of
the ranks. The confusion, however, was only
momentary, and no one sustained serious injury
though we hear one or two persons fell into the
branch.