The Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1852-1853, 1853-09-14
VOLUME 20, NO. 20

in and Mr.. Phillips, arrived at the prison;
and shortly after Captain Burche. Chief of
the Auxiliary Guard, with large posse of
that body, and Mr.. Steele. in charge of the
city police, reached the Jail and reformed
efficient duty in keeping the walls, and 9th
.er prominent poirts of the prison free from
the intrusion of ofspectatOrs.
By ten o'c' 'oek every house, every lofty
eminence, and dwellings with platforms er-
ected on the roofs in the neighborhood, were
crowded with boys, children, men and wo-
men of all classes and ages, so that not
withstanding the heighth OF the Jail wall,
and the precaution taken to carry out the
law in ali its spirit and intent, some hund-
reds of persons did, from distance, wit
ness the dreadful scene.
The physician of the jail, DR.. A. I. Sem
mes, md several Of his professional adyis-
ers were also present, and | noticed among
the invited citizens the mayor of Washing
ton, P. r. Fendal, Esq, U. s. District At
torney, Messrs Ratcliff and Key.
Col. Thompson, counsel for Woodward
on his trial, and gentleman named O'Sul-
livan, from New York, then proceeded to
the Executive Mansion, and made another
thrilling and powerful appeal to the Presi-
dent for a respite Of commutation of his
dreadful sentence; but the Executive kindly
and firmly reiterated his conviction of the
fairness of Woodward's trial and other
views, and respectfully declned any inter
ference in the case. Col. L. returned to
the prison and babe his client farewell
1 > 1 4 ,,,.l,,,
ded in a long full black gown and his arms
were pinioned, but nothing Of this produced
any perccptbl change in his countenance,
and to one of the ministers, Ito whom he
was particularly attached, who pressed him
in a quiet manner for p confession he rep8-
ed that lie wouIa not gratfy the public IN
that respect.
In about fifteen minutes more as | stood
at the foot of the stairs in the jail, waiting
the approach of a solemn official procession
of the Marshal his aids, officers, ,clergyInen,
culprit, and others, judge of my surprise
when discovered ON the landing place a.
bove, with rather a smile, clothed in black,
his gown partially drawn up in his folded
arms, black hat tastfulIy placed on his
was the foremost man, closely followed by
the ministers of the law, and his spiritual ad
yisers. In the advance, he decended the
stairs, quickly and firmly walked to the gal
lows. up the steps Of which he ran as gay
| " as if 1t were some place of amusement--
His action, his look, his department forced
shudder of horror on all present, but this
feeling was considerably augmented when
thu prisoner took a stand on the platform,
cooley surveyed the crowds before referred
to, then stepped on the centre drop piece,
took hold of the rope, and made some OBJ
lection to the length of the drop, (threeteet)
and then STOPPING ard giving directions a
bout pnioning his own legs, all present
seemed to relax and stand almost petrefied
at the astonishing, heart-sickening exhi.
bition.
Rev. John c. Smith addressed the Throne
of Divine Grace briefly and fervcntly. At
the close Woodward took his position on
| the drop. Mr. Hoover removed his hat
and placed on his head the black cap, but
Woodward Immediately raised his hand and
threw the sable covering up over his eyes
and this he did several times, so that the
whole face was fully exposed to view.
At this juc'ure the officers of the law
Ministers OF the Gospel, and other friends
bade Woodward Il last farewell, and left
the platform, the United States Marshal and
the Rev Mr.. Smith only remaining.
Woodward then knelt down, aud with his
face turnc upwards, ppearel to bedevout-
Iy engaged in prayer-hls lips moving rap
idly, and with apparent earnestness. Here
and stood for a few seconds with uplifted
head as if engaged in devotion. At his re-
quest, the Marshal kindly granted Wood
ward the privilege Of signifying his +, adj
ness to depart. At twenty minutes to l2
o'clock, Woodward lowered his head and
made the signal to the marshal by tossing
him white pocket handkerchief which he
held in his Hand. The Marshal thereupon
touched the sprng--the drop quickly fell,
and the unfortunate man paid the highest
penalty of the law.
When he fell, Woodward gave sudden
momentary jerk Of his hands, and soon af-
ter short muscular action of his legs, but
it was soon over.
Alter the body had been suspended 81
minutes, the physician ofthe Jail and his as
sistants duly examined the remains in the
'presence OF the spectators, and pronounced
him to be dead. 1t was supposed by some
that groans were heard on the fall of the
body, but the physicians state that they
were gurging sounds, produced by the has
ty expulsion of the air from the SYSTEM
The body was then lowered down into q
black walnut coffin, made by Mr.. King, of
Georgetown, and delivered over to Wood.
wards brother,w las been SO much devo-
Ged to him,
At 6 O'Clock this evening, as soon as the
crowd have dispersed, the remains will be
conveyed in hearse to Geolgetown, where
they will be inferred in the Methodist Epis
copal burial ground, with services BY Rev
S. X. Cox.
The ministers Of religion and the officer:
of the law in attendance on the deceased
deserve nigh credit for their humane anc
untiring exertions to render him every con
salation.
BREACH OF PROMISE SUIrs.---An excangt
tells story of smooth h-cheeked youngster
who lately went into country village, dis
guised in feminine fxings, false curls, bus
tie and all that. Hewasa q cute chap, ant
bent on a speculation.
Being pretty, he soon won the true low
of feller, and after due process Of kissing
and courtine in all its various branches thu