Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1852-12-03
Dxeoution of a Murderer.

q
/ From the Cincinnati Enquirer we extract the
following account of the execution (at Cincinnati
on the 2ethinst,) of Henry I.ecopnt, convicted oil
murder in the first degree: g.
"Whosoever sheddeth man blood, by mans shall
his blood be she'd" Il "
TnE EXECUTION or HENRy LEcoyHT.E.7Som many
Wears have passed away, since human oelng mas
been hanged in Hamilton county ONO mat all
extraordinary interest wns manifested yesterday III
the populace, to witness the execution OF Henry
Lecount, who was last summer convicted oil the
murder of Henry C'inch.
>. Thedssds eomnt w; lAlnGllls
natl, and grew out of Jealousy on the part OF Ls-
count, cased ~ the hckhpwle illicit Intimacy
of Clinch with the wife Of me pt t
AT an early hour yesterday, the Vicinity OF the
County jail was occupied by an immense crowd
that remained until the fatal period when the un.
fortunate Lecount delivered up his ife.in expia-
ton of the horrible crime; OF which a3ury OF MS
countIymen had found him guilty. 7.1.5.s.tl7.
The prisoner, during some m Jnths past, has man
Tested no concern whateVerDs totte thte heieal-
ter" refusing to hold any conversational inter
course with the clergy until since the commence
ment of the present week. Since that period he
has been visited by Rev. George W. Maylet a
Methodist clergyman, andSeveral dvlnes oil various
d nominations of Christians, whose words OF sPr'
itual consolation had the happy effect of subGuing
in large degree, his heretofore stubbofnness as u
his souls welfare
Since Mondaylast he has taken no food whatev-
er, and has sleptbut little. On Thursday night'
the last nightof his life, he slept but about three
hours and during the day, yesterday, until taken
out for execution, perfectly Calm and awaited
the approach of the Sherif,with an abandoned
hope, which was excessive and conspicuous IN It's
| helpless despair, n b @7g.
| The execution, in accordance with the law,
took place in an enclosure within the jail yaId,
erected under the direction oil the Sherla, about
o'clock, no other persons beng present except
that officer, the City Marshall the Chief OF Pollce
4 AZ n members the
courts and County officers, two clergymen, and
\ several gentlemen of the press. The privacy oil
| the execution caused much dissatisfaction among
| the vsst drowd that assembled outside the jail
yard, which, had it not been prevented by the
presence of the police in large force, and the mill
tary, would doubtless have led to an attack upon
the Jail, the morbid curiosity ofthe people t. wit
ness the horrid spectacle, being soTiolent. For
tunately, all the proceedings were sowell appoint
ed and managed by the Sheriff, that not an accl-
| dent occurred throughout the day.
| The moment it was announced to Lecount THAI
the fatal period was approaching, he raised, him
self 10 his full height, and said to the Snerhs dep
utes: 'tTake me. | must now go TO the eternal
world Let it be quickly over-have your rope
strong-let there be no delay, that my suferings
may be short" ~ @ fE
The officials then took the unfortunate man, one
by each arm, and conducted TO and upon the scat
| fold, when after being seated, Rev. AIR. Mayleby
his side he raised lis head, and looking about HIM
said, audibly ais this justicel This is the peu
atty for killing amman being-but, although gull
tv as am of taking the life OF Clinchi am not
guilty of crime-I have done no more than any
other man would have done to me, had his home
been violated by me as mine was
The clergy then proposed TO the prisoner TO
kneeI, and make his last appeal to the JehoVah
God. Lecount now threw up the apron OF ms
! cap, and waving farewell TO those around HIM,
scvetal of whom, his gestures indicated, he recog-
nized, kneeled by the 81 lie of the Rev. Maybe, and
seemed to be feTyently interested in his Sacred
prayer, which was II these wordS:
| HOur Eather who art in Heaven, look down up
on us in this trying hour. Thou art the God of
| jrStice-ThOu knoweth the errors and the Sins oil
Thy creatures. Look down upon him who IS no"
about to pass, under the penalty Of the human law
into Thy immediate presence, and be merclIu' 10
him. Deliver him, we pray Thee, 0 God OF mer-
cy out of the hands of the adversary, into thOSe
realms prepared for The Gepentant and forgiven.
And ali in the name ofJeSuS Christ, Our hedeem-
er and Savor-Amen'"
The prisoner after audibly responding amen,
during the prayer, rose on being addressed by the
Sheriff, and with nervous STEP took his place IN
front Of the clergy and other gentlemen assembled
aud said TO them: ts'.'a5 .. ....i.a. RI.
"My friends: | am about to dein this (pointing
to the eollows) dreadful manner. Goodbye
jealousy and rum have done it all-good- bye"
The Sheriff then led him 10 the 'tall,' and after
adjusting the rope, stepped back and pulled the
bolt. When the unfortunate criminal was alnostln-
Stantly choked 10 death, and sent 10 MS maker
| The execution scene was one which, although
demanded tyl law, was such the like of which we
never wish to witness again. Upon the platform,
md all around us, were men who have presided
over the criminal courts Of this county, policemen
who are almost daily witnesses OF crime; large
variety of the refined and ruder materials OF hu-
manty but after the horrible spectacle was finish.
ed, we raised our own watery eyes, and looked
about us only 10 see that thrilling feeling Of abhor
rance at this disgusting spectacle, had perfect
command of all that had witnessed 1t. Yet with
sympathy so strongly and so universally manifested
as it was for the miserable being who had Just been
executed, there was profound, silent, and solemn
awe andr spect fot the majesty ofthe law IN tile
sentiment az y.