Richmond semi-weekly times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 184?-1853, 1852-04-27
EXECUTION OF REED AND CLEMENS.


EXECUTION OF REED AND CLEMENS!
Yesterday morning, at liz O'Clock, these I'M
happy men underwent the extreme penalty of the
law. A 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 an 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, and 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, attired in loose
dark-cooured 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 Jailor, 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 up 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 gallows the eyes of the
unfortunate convicts appeared riveted to the holy
bibles spread before them by their ghosty confess
sors. Upon reaching the place of execution, the
military formed around the gallows-the prison
ers were then directed to ascend the platform
Reed obeyed the order with alacrity, and ascend
I'D +o tba
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 their trust 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 trg-
ger which supported it was drawn, and in mo-
ment the unfortunate men were launched into
eternity. Reed died apparently without strug-
gle; Clemens struggled moment or so-his frame
underwent one two convusive 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
with firnness and resignation. From the time
hey emerged 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 tho melancholy process
sion up the Valley to the place of execution, the
manifestations of popular sympathy in behalf of
the unfortunate convicts were general and heart
| felt; but here 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 scafold, which produced a moment
airy panic. A spirited horse became unmanagea-
| bic, and gave evidence Of desire to pitch his
rider upon the heads Of the mass of human be-
| ings wedged in between the military on one side
and Bacon's Quarter Branch on the other. Whilst
! the horse rearing and charging, rush was
made by the crowd to get beyond tho roach of his
hoofs. Many persons were forced into the branch,
and the pressure created a momentary confusion
amongst section of one of the volunteer corps,
one or two members of which were forced out of
the ranks. The confusion, however, was only
momentary, and no sustained serious injury,
though we hear one or two persons fell into the
branch.