The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-09-10

A letter 10 the Philadelphia Ledger, dat ed New
Castle, Sept :, gives the following particulars Of
the execution Of Samuel Ward, for the murder Of
George A Davidson
This was the day fixed for the execution Of
Samuel Ward (colored,) who was convicted the
23d day Of June, Of the murder OF George A. Da-
wilson. Of Delaware City, committed on the 9th Of
NAV last. Mr. Davidson had been deputisei TO
brig Ward from Delaware City to the jail hero. to
await lis trial Tor stealing watch. He searched
Ward, and tied his hands before putting him in the
coniace. but he neglected to look in an old coat,
which be threw his lap, ana in which was CON
cealed dirk knife
Afer riding 10 within three miles Of this place,
Ward mars aged to get the knife out, and cut Mr.
Davidson in the arm and under the shoulder blade.
Mr. d. then threw Ward out Of the carriage, and,
III running after him across field, lost large
quantity of blood He died the next morning, at
the house Of Mr. Strad'ev.
Ward, both before and after his trial and conyic-
ton. bad showed tie most perfect indifference 10
bis fate Null Saturday last On Friday, DR.,
SIotswood, OF the Presby terian church. went to
see him, when be told him : he did not want any
pr aching q paying then, but to come the next
afternoon =
Since then there have been several meetings OF
cclored persons with him, praying and singing
hymns, &c
black cat, which he wanted boiled, without being
dressed, at all.) and the water in which il was
boiled to be brought to him boiling, with which he
was to rub himself, to mako him fearless, he said.
and not to fear death, telling the sheriff would be
OF advantage also to him. to rub with it. His sister
brought him the cat on Saturday last, and took il
away again to hoil but since his becoming pen-
tent. be said nothing about it
His mother, sister, and several pious colorsd
friends, had meeting with him last night, and left
him in quite a happy state Of mind
This morning the sheriff brought him down into
large room, with his irons of and the Rev j. z
Spettswood, ard the Reys Messrs. Walton and Way,
OF the Methodist church, remained with him until
the time arrive for him TO be taken to the gellows
At five minutes past III O'Clock be was brought
into the yard by sheriff Chandler and deputy sheriff
GIubb, and attended by his spiritual advisers He
ascended the scaitold with firm step, accompanied
by the sheriff, Rev. Mr. Walton, and Rev. r. j.
Way, of Delaware City. Thelatter gentleman made
short prayer. The sheriff then fixed the rope
around the neck Of Ward, and while doing so, Ward
asked to be allowed to say a ewwords He stepped
ont on the trap and said, II" he had nothing against
any enc. and he hoped no gentleman there had any
thing against bin he knew that he was guilty, but
that he died happy, and hoped to meet all who were
present in heaven" The sheriff asked him, after
he had made short pause, if he had anything more
to say. He answered. "No' While the cap was
being drawn over his face, he said, in low MUIR
muir, 1.-The Lord have mercy me-" The rope
that supported the trap was cut and, with fall Of
five feet, he hung, with but few slight struggles,
and died in about eight minutes He cut
down after hanging thirty minutes. and his body
placed in coffin to be given to his sister for inter-
ment. He was single man, about twenty two
wears of age.