Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-09-02

4
criminal when he had fallen
The following individuals were present to
witness the execution ]. D. Hoover, United
States Marshal; DR.. Chaplin, G.. W. Philips
Deputy Marshals; DR.. A. J. Semmes, Physi-
clan to the Jail, assisted by Doctors Magru-
der, Noble, Young, Garrett, Palmer, Morgan,
Saunders, Marbury, Riley, Wallace and Far
ley, and nearly all the Medical Faculty; Mr..
Wright, jailor, assisted by Messrs. Burche,
Waters, Bell and Latruite, Guards; Clersymen,
| (his spiritual advisers,) Rev John c. Smith,
Rev. Mr.. Cox. of Georgetown, and Rev Mr..
Scrivener, and twelve citizens; the Mayor of
Washington, District Attorney, General Arm
strong, Barton Key, Daniel Radcliffe, and a
representative from each of the presses in the
| city, and others.
Interview w1th Spiritual Advisers.
! Woodward, had this morning liberty of
passage fronting three cells, one of which was
| his, and the others unoccupicd; and OCCASION
ally walked to and fro, perfectly composed
and apparently resigned to his fate. Much
of his time was spent in prayer and other re-
ligious exercises, and he declined conversing
upon subjects that would tend to excite him.
He expressed no desire for a Communication of
his punishment from death to the penitentiary
for life
of his spiritual advisers he seemed to have
the most confidence in JohnC. Smith, and told
him that he wanted him to be with him till the
last and once in the morning, when he said
he wished to be left alone, and all were going
to leave tho CELL he said to Mr. Smith, g Don't
you go out, but stop and engage with me in
prayer" which he did. He prayed frequent
ly himself and with the ministers
He gave most minute directions as to the
execution, and also other directions respect
ing his private affairs. His watch he gave to
Rev. John c. Smith, with the request that he
would keep it until certain lady, whom he
described, would apply for it with written
order. This request Mr.. Smith promised to
perform. In bidding adieu with Mr.. Wright,
he sent IN affectionate farewell to his wife,
from whose table he had been furnished with
provisions, and requested him to thank her for
her uniform kindness,
The only persons admitted to see him this
morning were the Rev Messrs Smith, Cox
and Scrivener, Col. Thompson and his mother |
Just before ii o'clock his arms were pin |
toned and the black shroud Tut upon him, (the |
color of the shroud being at his own sugges-
tion.) He asked when they were putting the
shroud upon him, whether he would be put in |
the coffin with that upon him Mr.. Smith an
Swerod "no.''
The Execution.
At five minutes past eleven o'clock Wood. |
ward withe the Rev. ]. C. Smith appeared in |
the Jail yard Rev. Messrs Cox and Scriven-
er, Marshal, two Deputy Marshals, Tailor,
Physician of the Jail, Col. Thompson and the
brother of Woodward
When Woodward reached the steps of tho
gallows, he stepped forward and quickly as
cended, as one would naturally run US stairs |
in hurry. He went to the farther corner of |
the gallows, followed by the Rev j. c. Smith |
and the other gentlemen. He looked ut the |
trap, and then, with perfect composurs, stepped |
upon it, stood up next to the rope to see how |
far he would fall that indicated that he would !
fall about three feet And then stepping
back, he said to Marshal Hoover, 81 think
the fall is too great" He also tried the |
strength of the trap. A drink of water was
then handed to him at his request, which he |
raised to his mouth with his pinioned arm |
As he could not raise it high enough, Mr. |
Smith guided it. Not drinking freely, he |
asked Mr.. Smith to raise the tumoler higher
so that he could drink more conveniently.
Mr.. Smith then made very effective prayer |
during the delivery of which he seemed to
listen without being the least affected In
deed, no one from his appearance woxld have |
supposed that he was just about to be launch
ed into eternity; but on the contrary, pre-
pairing for feast.
After the prayer, he shook hands with Col |
Thompson, Rev. John C. Smith, Rev. Messrs.
Cox and Scrivener.
He then advanced to the trap, and as he |
wa, putting his feet upon it, he said to Mr. |
Hoover" Must my feet be tied according to
law" Mr.. Hoover replied that it should be !
just as he chose; that the law did not require |
it He then called DIR. Semmes, asked him if |
he thought he would die easier with his feet
tied. The doctor replied that he thought he
would He then stood up in tho centre of the
trap, with his face towards the west, while
Mr.. Wright, the jailor, tied his feet with cord.
The cap was then put upon hi, head, and
the rope was adjusted with the knot on the left
side by the Marshal lie raised the cap and
called for glass Of water Those below
thought he way going to speak, but it was not
so. After remark with Mr.. Smith, he bid
farewell to all on the stand, all of whom on
that place left, except Mr.. Hoover the Mar