The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-09-05
From the Kenurky Yoem,n. Aug. Is.
EXECUTION OF FwEIGART--sH0CKING SCENES

EXECUTION OF WEIGART--SHOCKlNG SCENES.
Saturday last, as our readers will recoloct,
was tho day appointed for tho execution OF
William Wcigart. who was convicted of tho
murder of Charles Cushing, in Lexington, last
winter.
II was announced that the execution would
take place. contrary to general expectation, bo-
tween 0 and 10 in the morning. AT an early
hour, crowds conld be seen coming into the
city from every direction, and by 0 o'clock the
street in frunt of The Jail was crowded to such
an excess that il was impossible for vehicles or
horscmcn to pass. nft...t
The Sheriff. with an armod guard, was sta
toned around tho door to keep tho crowd
from pressing too closely upon tho car. which
was standing in readiness. t4a.
About % o'clock. tho prisoner escorted by
the jailor the Sheriff, and Rev. Messrs. Berke-
ley and Pratt, made his appearance, with q
quick, agiiated step and waving his prayer
book, asccnded tho car. Several of his friends
cot in with him. and tho mournful cortegs
drove off to the spot at which he was TO take
his departure from earthly affairs. very
largo crowd preceded tho ear. while the win
dows and doors along the route were filled
with anxious faces, desirous of catching Q
glimpse Of tho unfortunate man.
Soon the dreadful inpllmont Of death was
seen rearing lis gloomy head in the distance
and us the prisoner noticed it, a perceptablt
shudder went over his whole frame. An i'm
mcnse multitude were gathered there, and al
heads were turned TO the advancing car. which
was bearing fellow human to his death
Arriving at the feet of tho gallows, the ca
stopped. Rev. Messrs. Pratt and Berkeley
| thon sung hymn, in which the prisoner join
cd, and then the first named gentleman ad
H. a. nf Ia, hale of
| unfortunate young man.
Weigsrt then, himself kreeed down ant
prayed in sence,-prayed for few moments
then rising from his feet, Mr.. Berkeley com
mended the poor prisoner to the kind mcrcic
of just and forgiving God. During each o
the pra gers Weigart's voice could be heard a
if in suppication to Heaven.
Tnc devotional exercises being concluded
| the officers Of the law stepped forward ant
commenced the dreadful Preparations fo
death bv tying his hands. Up TO this time
| the prisoner seems TO have been supported b.
| some yagne hupo of rescue or pardon, bu
| when the fatal white cap was drawn down owe
his eyes he seemed to realize and not fully un
| I'll then. tho dreadful fate that awaited him.
While tho ropc was being tied his acqn 'iniau
| oes camo around and bid him farewell. Havin:
| thanked his clerical friends for their kindncs
! and unremitting attention to him during hi'
| incarceration, he commenced an inaudibl'
murmuring as if in prayer, and as that wa
concluded, tho knot was arranged around hi
neck and The rope fastened to the beam above
All was ready now, and the period for him L
expiratc the crime no had committed agains
| his God and the laws of the land had arrived
tho word was given to drive off, when the pris
oncr attempted to anticipate it by jumping of
| lie failed in this. aud tho word was repeat
ed the car started, and in another momen
the unfortunate criminal ives writhing in th'
| death agonies, between HEAVIER and earth. III
was very light. and tho fall did not break hi
neck, and his suflofings were intense; severn
| times hc drew himself up some distance, an
and let his whole weight fall quickly, with til
intention, We suppose of putting an end to hi
pain.
| Oh! it was ho-rid sight 10 see huma
being writhing and twisting in all the toriur
of disgraceful strangnlation, and God gran
that no necessity may ever again arise, whic
| will demand the interposiion of the stron
| arm Of tho law to secure n strong vengeance
| He died pcnitent. and with full confidenc
in the promises held cut by the Scripture
His remains were attended to the Geometry o.
Sunday evening by a good coheourse Of pee
| pie.
| IL WIS moment lot SERIOUS uDu SOlefHH ~
| flecton; yet in all that vast crowd. wc coul
not perceive a single check that was mcis;en
ed with the tear ofsympathy, and almost ever
countenance wore its everyday business lik
| aspect. After the first shock tho momentar
horror was dispelled, and the careless jest an
Idle laugh were heard in strange discor
to the death-rat,le and gurgling groans of TIN
expiring victim.
We remarked that the crowd was largo
that we expected; yet we felt incxprcssibl
shocked and almost disgusted. as we saw tn
number oflemales on the ground. 1t is scarce
ly credible. yet it is trne.
We would have expected that women, swee
synonym for mercy and genloness. she who's
delicate hands are ever ready to minister I
the wants of tho distressed, and to soothe tn
troubled and caro- laden mind, could hav
gaze6 upon scene which was enough 10 hai
row the scnsibiliiies of a strong man?
We are gratiGcd to think that the large
portion of females in tho city repudiaied tn
very thought of going TO the execution; fo
this NO commend them, as il displays tha
kindness of hear, and commiserotion for tn
misfortuucs of others, which have ever bee
the crowning ornaments Of thoir chara eter.