The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-12
SCENE THE T0MBS.
EXECUTION OF JOSEPH CLARK,
POR THE
EURDER OF POLICEAAN GILLESPIE.
CIsRK,s lHBREss UNDER THE CiLL0Ws,
&C., &c, &C.

i.sue but few tickets admission To the City Prison to
persons DESTROYS Of witnessing this tragedy hna TO con
adorable extent tended TO aAay the public excitement
which strongly manifested on the late erecnnonso
saul and Hewlett. There were, however, considerable
number pereons assembled at both entrances u he
Tcmbs epdeavoripg to procure admission but the pc
renptory orders issued by the Sheriff. that pretecc
whatever should PER be allowed to enter aithoat
pass, presuded their entrance
Considerable dissatisfaction manifested by the
crowd at this recent and most iudicous order ci Sheriff
0rfcr; and heard on the late occlsicn, various
offered for pass which increased in amount the
time OF the execution drew nigh. We learn from the
authorities connected with the prison. that the conduct of
the unfortunate Clark, both previous and sbsequen
to his conviction has been Of the most exemplary cha
racer On Wednesday he removed from the second
corridor where he had been confined for the eig
teen months, and placed ON the lower tier in the cell
lately occupied by Saul under the immediate Of Mr.
Wood the deputy keeper. He expressed dissatis
faction at this change Of rooms. alleging that he
quite at home in the upper corridor and that he hoped
TO remain there until the arrival Of the fatal
Clark Roblan Catholic, and has been attended for
time past by the Rev. Thomas NJ. J. Wlett, of St.
Johns College, Fordham and the Rev. Mr. McKeon OF St.
James Church, in this city.
Clark retired to rest at about o'clock and slept
very soundy until seven in the morning About eight
O'Clock he paroo of breakfast consisting oyster soup
and coffee Of which he ate heartily. Rev. Mr. Willett
in his cell during the night. Between nine and ten high
performed in the chapel of the prison, ut
which lie received the holy communion and prayed long
and emily He then returned TO the main prison. and
shortly afterwards proceeded to the yard OF the prison.
where daguerreoypist present and took his likeness
in the presence OF the Sheriff Mr. Edmonds aud various
other officials. Ee then retired to his CELL accompanied
by the priests and made request that the reporters of
tha Uuh tax duu state in
presence OF Sullivan and his spiritual advisers he lid
not with TO make any long statement under the galows
anticipating that HIS remarks might be misinterpreted
TIE following is his statement in
THE CELL.
wish to say have been attended by my clergy
Of my church. Ny feelings good, and
/ am about as happy man "a ever left this
earth. l surely say, that ii my sentence
10 be committed this moment, / would not alter my
religion, because l 70 be saved and en-
ter into heaven. There is prejudice, have
believe, against me, in OF the newspapers, but
won't say anything about hat-nevertheess is my be.
lief. am altogether under the kind guidance Of my
Father Conessor and consider this the happiost day of
my life am going to leave this world and leave it
without bearing animosity against any person.
say, that my had been stated in its true light
by the witnesses Galloway and ONer, the Judge and
Jury would have had quite different impression OF my
1t stated truly Mt the nrst,
Of the witnesses stated how in the pos
eesion of the cartrung They knew it, but kept that
part Of the evidence back; for wha; do not
know, except TO prejudice my And If the poce-
man Sullivan, who engaged in the quarrel Ind stated
ali he Knew correctly, my would have been different
hut, instead Of doing so, could he somewhat
preiudiced against me- but forgive him. He ia the one
believe who testified that after Gillespie Frustrated
returned and struck him when on the ground say it
in the Of you al here and in the presence
Of God, that he (uvan) wrongfuly to the fact
NJ my ming to where Gillespie lying and striking
him again 1t all done in the time that you could
one two, three; but forgive him. and hope GOD
will That is all Ihave to ray. wish further to say
that my best thanks to Mr. Edmonds Mr.. Crosby,
and in fact all parties connected with the prison. the
Sisters Charity and all others who have extended their
charity towards wish further to say that my pa
rents may know through the publication Of this state
ment that die happy, through the consolation of my
ather confessors with all the rites Of the holy religion
don't think II best to say much under the gaows and
hope you gentlemen Of he newspapers, win do me JUS
lice in having my statement published have made it,
that my poor father and mother in Liverpool win know
that die happy.
The reporters then shook hands with the unfortunate
man, and babe him last farewell.
The parting then took place between Clark and
sullivan. They embraced each other, while the tears
flowed copiously down their cheeks. Sullivan then
removed from the CELL and the Father Confessors
left alone with Clark occupied for some time In prayer
PREPARING FOR THE EXECUTION.
At hslf past II O'Clock preparations made by De-
putty sheriff Gilmore to arrange the culpt for execution
lark then in very Grim manner, took of his coat say
ing he would die in his shirt sleeves He ALSO without
i'd opened his shirt collar and placed the fatal
around his neck. His then pinioned by the
haip IA
that all ready, Clark proceeded from his cell and
walked in firm STEP accompanied by Fathers Wille. nd
McKeon.
PROCESSION TO THE GALLONS.
The solemn procession then moved from the body
# the prison, headed by Aldermen Compton Peck,
md Oakley next Deputy Sheriff McKibbin,
with his staff of Office, preceded by sheriff Orser
nd First Eeputy Wilett dressed In their official
inform, chapeau and sword. Then followed the
condemned and the two priests, dressed in their
Nsstments, bearing prayer books and the cruciGx
IN the bosom Of Clark's shirt pinned representa-
Of bleeding heart and the form of cruc6x cut In
piece Of green ribbon and in his hand he held q cruel
TX Exscuy ut quarter before twelve o'clock the cul
rt placed under the gslows At THE time the jury
Fl execution had closed mp the rear and the number
Irescnt did not exceed eighty persons Quiet regnod
upreme The priests and the culprit knet down. and
father hcKeon read aloud fervcnt prayer.
SPEECH OF CLARK UNDER THE GALLows
Clark then stepped forward few feet in advance and
in q loud voice, taid-
Gencmen-l am here going to suffer the extreme penalty
Of the law assigned to win say whatI said before
that Inr had any intention OF killing that any other
man. my Hencvcr Ihnve made statement TO the re-
orters of the press, and said to them what now say
80 you anthat II my had been stated in proper
light It ought to have been by the Witnesses and my
shlmstes, It would have made a different impression
ron the Judge and jury. II not stated 1t ought
have BEEN Sullivan stated tina. after had struck the
and left him, returned and struck him again but
say before God and before you ALL that the pcrured
Himself.
The Rev. Mr.. EcKEoS here stepped forward and whis