Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1853-1853, 1853-07-25
From the N, Lnula d ,mnotAt,
THE EXEoUTIoN YRaTERpAY.

THE EXECUTION YESTERDAY,
Tho two wrctche6 men, Dodge and Shawney,
were launched into eternity ut half past one
o'clock yesterday afternoon. AT IL o'clock the
crowd commenced 10 assemble on Chestnut and
Sixth streets, outside Of the prison walls, and
continued TO grow larger, even, until after the
enactment Of the shocking scene. Al ono time
there could have been no less than two thousand
men and boys who filled the streets, oil seeking
some point from which they could witness the
execution. The scNlFold was almost entirely
concealed from view, however, by the surround
ing prison and criminal court buildings, With.
in tho yard there wsro two hundred and fifty 10
three hundred citizens, policemen and other Of
hoers. Tho two Catholic olergymen pass.
ed the greater portion Of the morning with
tho oonViotS. Al quarter past one o'clock, all
tho melancholy preparations having been com.
pletOd, Dodge and Shawney made their appear.
anoe, attended by u. S. Marshal Baber, the two
olcrgymOn, tho prison keeper, and several po.
lloemen. Both convicts were neatly attired In
suits Of black, and the binding Of their arms oil
either side did not prevent them holding cru.
eifix in their hands, on which they kept their
eyes fixed rs they issued from the passage be-
tween tho old and now Jail buildings. Dodge,
who had connolly oountenance, wore a content.
ed smilO at this time, and indeed 10 his last mo.
mcnt. Shawney was pale and serious, sndOAV.
oring, as It appeared, 10 fix his attention upon
the terrible change which awaited him. The
step OF both was firm, and while about to ascend
to the gNllowS they stopped to shake hands with
several friends who had before visited
them in prison. They wero preceded OH tho
platform by tho Marshal, and followed by the
elergymSn and police officer Having seated
themselves, they joined their spiritual advisers
in prayerj after which Dodge rose, and RdvGn.
cling, 30 Us 10 be In full view OF the spectators,
said in substance;
That ho was there to answer for an awful
orimej but that he hoped he was properly pro.
pared to meet the Savior, and he submitted 10
his fate willingly. Ho trusted in tho Lord, -
Then thanking the citizens who had been so kind
to him during his imprisonment, ho resumed his
seat, while ShNwney followed TO address tho
crowd. Showney repeated in substance the
words OF Dodge. Both spoke in u low tone and
with some hesitation.
The Marshall then read 10 the convictS, frat
Tho death warrant, and next the respite Of the
President. Afterwards, having explained that
tho term Of tho respite had expired and no or.
der Of continuance been received, tho sentence
should now by law DO carried out, no proceeded
with the preparations. The convicts cravats
were removed, and utter they had shaken hands
with tho clergymsn the MOrshOll and other of.
Rcers, they walked unassiSted TO their places un.
dor the fatal moose, The cap was drawn over
their faces, the ropes fixed, and spring started
when tho platform on which they sat gave way
and they fell a distance OF four or five feet
/. The struggle was short but hard. After having
remained suspended the proper time, the bodies
were taken down and placed in neat collins
About halt an hour elapsed, when hearse mr.
rived to convey the remains 10 Rock Spring
Cemetery FOR interment. The crowd outside
Of the prison yard dispersed only with the de.
parture Of the hearSo.