The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-03

OrrowA, June 2s, 1858.
This has been an exciting day to the people Of
Of George Gates for the murder of Liley. At an
early hour in the morning the different roads leading
to the city of Ottowa were filed with vehicles oil
every description, loaded with men, women and
children fastening to see fellow mortal strangled
to death 1t estimated that there were from six
to eight thousand people assembled in this place
to-day The prisoner was a good looking young
man, aged about % years, but VIGOROUSLY among
him to better use than hanging. Through the
courtesy of Sheriff Thorne visited him in his cell,
and learned he slept soundy part of the night but
was evidently nervous as the time drew nigh. The
he was going to suffer for the shedding of blood,
though he has innocent Of the crime. He said
he should die like brave man; that he was about
to suffer for Others and innocent of the blood of
their brother; that he was about to die true man.
that be had always been true to his God and his
country. The sisters and the whole community have
no doubt but he is guilty, and that he died with lie
upon his lips He visited in his cell Yesterday BY
his father, who resides here and be supposed took
final farewell, but father cannot give up I'M
til all is over As the prisoner was led out Of the JAIL
dressed in his robes his father there to take last
parting farewell from his son. The scene affect
ing and throughout the crowd sympathy for the "a
Their filled each breast, and the poor old man sat
wringing his hands after the crowd had left for the
scene of death.
Sheriff Thorne had his arrangements in the most
perfect order and too much praise cannot be given
TO him for the order and regularity with which he
performed his duty The procession starte 6fr0m the
jail about one o'clock and arrived at the place select
ed for the execution about one mile northeast upon
an elevation that could be seen from all directions
The Shields Guard, commanded by Capt. George
8 Fisher, and q company OF cavalry, commanded by
Capt. Cdshman, assisted the Sheriff. The militia
was In command Of Major d. F. Hit, assisted by
Capt. Stadden. The prisoner marched between the
Sheriff and his deputy, s. NJ. Rogers and the coffin
was drawn Immediately before him upon dray. The
cuprt wore the fatal black cap with the rope around
his neck. and he walked with firm step, ascending
the SCaHOld with as much frmness as those who
assisted him, and without the slightest emotion.
Upon the fatal platform he was assisted by his
spiritual advisers, who had been ministerng to his
spiritual wants. The death warrant was read to him
by the Sheriff in clear and emphatic tone. Then
he wished to make Re n remarks, which were as fol-
lOws:-
often in this iand-a suspended between the
heavens and earth until he Is dead. l have made my
peace WITH my God and am prepared to die and am
concied to my fate.
The minister prayed with him, which he re-
peated after him in response, when the cap was
drawn over his eyes, shutting out the heavenly light
of earth from his natural vision forever. He con-
tinued to suppicate until the drop fell, and he was
launched into eternity at two o'clock. After hanging
about twenty minutes Drs. Mckinsey and StOna ex-
amined the body and pronounced him dead. The
corpse was then cut down and handed over to his
spiritual advisers in attendance and inferred in the
Catholic burying ground.
heard NO one who was in favor Of public execu-
lions. II is iphuman and revolving, and SHINE
The age in which we live. If life must be taken upon
the scripture principle Of an eye for eye and tooth
fog TOOTH il should be within the limits of he Jail
upon the ike again" in the shape of publiS execu
ton.