The Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1852-1853, 1852-12-15
Execntion Of q murderer.

gree:
"Whosoever sheddeth mans blood, by
man shall his blood he shed"
The EXECUTION or HESRY' LEC6UNT.-
So many years have passed away, since a
human being has been hanged in Hamilton
county, Ohio, that an extraordinary interest
was manifested yesterday, in the popykice,
to witness the execution of Henry LSGopnt,
who was last summer convicted of the muir.
der Henry Clinch. Il
The deed was committed in the city Of
Cincinnati, and grew out of Jealousy on the
part of L%ecount, caused by tie acknowledge
Illicit intimacy of Clinch with the wife of the
prisoner.
At an early hour yesterday, the vicinity
of the County Jail was occupied by an i'm
mense crowd, that remained until the fatal pc
Rod when the unfortunate Jecount delivered
uphis life in expialion of the horrible crime
Nof which a jury ofhis countrymen had found
him guilty.
The prisoner. curing some months past,
has manifested no concern whatever as to
the "llfe hereafter" refusing to hold any
conversational intercourse with the clergy un-
til since the commencement Of the present
week. Since that period lie has been visited
by Rev. George W. Maybe, a Methodist cler-
gyman, and several divines of various de-
nominations of Christians, whose words OF
spiritual consolation had the happy effect of
~subduing in a large degree, his heretofore
stubborness as to his souls welfare,
Since Monday last he has taken no food
whatever, and has slept but little. On Thurs
day night, the last night ofhis life, he slept
hut about three hours, and during the day,
yesterday, until taken out for execution,
was perfectly calm, and awaited the APP
proach of the Sheriff with an abandoned
hope, which was exces i've and conspicuous
in its helpless despair.
The execution, in accordance with the
law, took place in an enclosure within the
jail yard erected under the direction of the
Sheriff, about 3 O'Clock, no other persons
being present except that officer, the City
Marshal, the Chief of Police, and their sew
eral commands, a few mcmbersof the courts.
and county officers, two c%lergymen, and sew.
eral gentlemen ofthe press. The privacy OF
the execution caused much dissatisfaction
among the vast crowd that assembled out
side the Jail yard, which, had it not been
prevented by the presence of the police in
large force, and the military, would doubt
less have led to an attack upon the jail, the
morbid curiosity Of the people to witness the
horrid spectacle, being SO violent. Fortu-
rately, all the proceedings were so well APP
pointed and managed by the Sheriff; thatno 10
an accident occurred throughout the day.
4he moment it was announced to Lecount
that the fatal period was approaching, he
raised himself to his ful height, and said to
thGI Sherltf's deputies: ''Take me. Unjust
nov go to the eternal world. Let it be quick
ly .'over-have your rope strong-let there
hepo delay, that my suferings may be
sbft."
&he officials than took the unfortunate
man, one by each arm, and conducted to and
upon the scaffold, when, after being seated,
Rev. Mr.. Mayle by his side, he raised his
head. and - about him said, auditly.
as this justice? This is the penalty fol
killing a human being-but, although gull.
ty as | am of taking the life of Clinch, l am
not guilty Of crime-l have done no more
than amy other man would have done tt
me, had his home been violated by me a.
mine was"
The clergy than proposed to the prisoner
to kneel, and make his last appeal to the
Jehovah God. Lecount now threw up thu
apron of his cap, and waving a farewell tt
those around him, several Of whom, his
gestures indicated, he recognized, kneeIed
by the side Of the Rev. Maybe and seemed
to be fervently interested in his sacred pray.
cr, which was in these words:
"Our Father who art in Heaven, look
down upon us N this trying hour. Thou
art the God of iustice-Thou knowest the
errors and the sins of Thy creatures. Look
down upon him who is now about to pass,
under the penalty Of the human law, into
Thy immediate presence, and be mercitul
to him. Deliver him, we pray Thee O God
of mercy, out Of the hands of the adversary,
into those realms prepared for the repentant
and forgiven. And all in the name Of Jesus
Christ, Our Redeemer and Savior-Amen."
The prisoner after audibly respoh ing
amen, during the prayer, rose on bein { ad-
dressed by the Sheriff, and with an vous
step, took his place in front of thu clergy
and other gentlemen assembled, an said 10
them;
My friends: I am about to dicin this (point-
ing tothe galiows) dreadful manner. Guod-
bye-jealousy and rum have done it all
goodbye"
The Sheriff then led him to the %"fall,"
and after adjusting the rope, stepped back
and pulled the bolt, when the unfortunate
criminal was almost instantly choaked to
death, and sent to his Maker. The cxecu-
ton scene was one which, although deman-
ded by law, was such the ike of which we
never wish to witness again. Upon the plat
form, and all around lis, were men who
have presided over the criminal courts Of
this county; policemen who are almost dali
y witnesses ofcrime; a large variety of the
refined and rudcr materials of humanity,
hut after the horrible spectacle was finished,
we raised our watcry eyes, and looked
about us only to see that n thrilling feeling
of abhorrance at this disgusting spectacle,
had perfect command of all that had wit
messed il. Yet, with sympathy so strongly
end so universally manifested as it was for
the miserable being who had just been exc
cuted, there was a profound, silent, and
solemn awe and respect for the majesty Of
the law, in the sentiment
Fiat j%ustitia ruat celum."
Cambridge Tunnel.
The tunnel section of the Central Ohio