The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-07-15
From the .Ns,o Orleans Picayune, July 3.
Execution Of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Scene

AT nm early hour yesterday morning, a crowd
began to assemble in front of the parish prison
for the purpose OF witnessing the public execu
ton of Jean Adam and Anthony pelisle, who
were condemned to death for the murder of g
slave girl, named Mary, after having robbed he
masters house on the corner of Craps nd CLIQUE
streets, in the third district. A large body O.
police, under the immediate command of Capt
McGovern, were in attendance, and space i
front of the prison was kept clear. At IL
o'clock there were over six thousand person,
present, and they occupied the whole of the spa
cions street from Irene Market to the Place
d'Arms. Over one hundred persons, comprising
judges, aldermen, ex aldermen, doctors, reporters
&C., &c. were admitted within the prison, and
as the hour ofdoom approached, the anxiety be
came intense.
A platform was erected over the gateway
which divides the parish prison from the ole
police Jail, and the gallows, which was shaped
something like Il derrick, was erected on thu
outside and fastened to platform. trap.d
was attached with strong hinges to a part of the
gallows, at the height of the platform, and wa.
raised to a level with it by strong rope A
few persons were permitted to pass into the
alley way between the prison and the Jail, from
whvh fight of steps led to the gaows. The
unfortunate men were brought forth to death
with their arms pinioned tight by rope, which
crossed their back and passed round at the elbows
They were clearly clad in white shirts and pant
aloons, and white caps were on their heads
The awful reality of his position appeared tc
strike Delisle for the first time, as he stepped
unaded, from the prison door into the alley way
beneath the gallows. He looked wildly about
and painted and breathed hard, with open mouth
as if his physical powers were exhausted by q
long race; and he evidently suffered an agony
of terror. Adam, who appeared quite impas
sive, but who was livid with fear, was supported
by two men, and was followed by the execu
toner.
In mercy to the wreched men, there was a
disposition to get through with the painful duty
as speedily as possible and no time was per
mtted them to linger beneath the scaffold. De
Isle seemed to nerve him elf for his fate, and
walked firmly up to the platform. Adam was
supported after him. When there, two clergy
men whispered to them words Of encourage.
ment and hope. Deisle caught at rope as he
was about b 'ng led upon the trapdoor, and
said, in a loud but husky voice, that he wanted
to speak. He then declared, in wild and inco
herent manner, that he was innocent that he
did not deserve death; that he was not afraid to
die; had French blood in his veins, and would
die for the French flag He called to the ex
cited crowd below him, and asked if they would
not bury him, and have funeral processio D.
Adam said nothing
The excitement now became intense. The
mass of human beings in the street appeared as
if animated by one convusive emotion. Wo-
men, apparently half frenzied, raised their young
children to see the doomed men, and every bod !
struggled with his neighbors to get n arer the
gallows, although all were in full vie of it. AT
this time the sky became clouded and large
drops of rain began to fall Adam and Desle
were seated upon chairs on the trapdoor the
rope was put around their necks the caps pull
led over their faces, and with two blows the
fastening Of the door was cut, and to the horror
of all. they both fell upon the stone pavement
below, distance of about twelve or fourteen