The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-05-04
From the wilkes Barre Record of the Tfmes.
Execution ef James Quinn.
WILKES BARRE, April 21, 1854

nun! Uer OF peTsouS uau pcSu uh W S'tuci
in the town, to witness if possible, some Of
the Incidents connected with the fate of
this unhappy young man, who was about
to pay the penalty of broken laws. The
streets began to show that something un
usual was about to take place. At an
early hour we contrived to get within the
Jail, and saw the prisoner He looked
anything but down hearted, and to use
the expression of one who saw him to the
last, "he bore up to his fate every inch a
man." But we view it, his feelings were
callous, he had none of that pure repent
ance, which does, and will mark those
who truly sorrow for their mispent lives.
Until this morning he expressed good
deal of bitterness towards all who had in
any way to do with his present unfortu-
nate situation. This morning: however,
he relentcd some, and expressed his for
giyncss of Sheriff Drum and his deputy
for the part they had to perform. He
called several times during tie morning
for ale, which was supplied to him, and
our worthy Sheriff evinced spirit of le-
niency towards him, and showed dispo-
sition kindly to do everything the prison
er would request, consistent with his duty
The prisoner particularly requested to
thank his attorneys for the faithful man
ner they had attended to his interest, a
vowing repeatedly, that they had worked
in a just cause.
During the ght he slept tolerably well
He conversed at times with the watch
set to guard him; but, from soon after
three o'clock he was left to commune
with his own thoughts.
The Rev. NJ. Miles of the Episcopal
Church has visited him with desire for
his hearty repentance and acknowledge
ment of the ':Redeemer of Mankind" but
we are under the impression the reverend
gentleman failed to awaken him to true
sense of his awful situation. He refused
to acknowledge even so much as the fu-
ture state of retribution-"He died as q
fool dieth-without God-his heart was
turned to stone"
His mother visited bin, l believe, for
the last time before death, at half past ten
o'clock this morning, accompanied by his
step father and his sister. His sister
paid him two other visits and appeared
to be deeply affected by the awful situa-
tion of her unfortunate brother.
He conversed freely, very freely of his
situation; exhibited very little symptoms
of heart-rending feeling: canvassed the
appropriate length of the rope necessary
to execute the business well; compared
himself with Rees Evans, and thought be
was much stouter and would not need a
rope as long as Evans did-conversed of
his funeral, and requested if it would not
be too expensive to his friends, to be car
ried to Danyille for burial. To all ap-
pearances he was urusually-perfectly
cool; and a medical gentleman expressed
his surprise at such manifest bravery, and
felt of his pulse to find if any indication
of excitement existed there. The outside
was indeed calm, but his pulse was beat
ing with tremendous rapidity
At ten minutes before twelve o'clock
his chains were struck off.
He ate hearty dinner a little before
twelve
At twenty minutes past twelve his Sis
ter paid her final visit to the prisoner and
staid with him until one.
About half an hour before his execution
he called for Mr.. Miles, and seemed to
have expressed some compunction. The
Sheriff asked him what time he would be
ready-he lightly replied, o! any time
just now if you are ready.
At twenty-five minutes to two o'clock
he left his cell, accompanied by Mr..
Miles, and the Sheriff and his deputy, and
when he come to the steps of the Scaffold
be ran to the top, everybody being amaz-
ed at his bravery or bravado. When he
got to the place of execution, he slightly
bowed his head to the spectators, as per-
former of some theatrical drama would to
his audience. Mr.. Miles read the service
of the Episcopal Church. During prayer,
Quinn looked around, recognized some of
his friends with half nod, and to some
females, who could unsex themselves, to
view with hilarity such revolving spec
tacle, he nodded and smile curled his
lip;-awful!-sueh an awful moment
Can it be possible, that capital punishment
can be allowed longer to disgrace our
Statue Book, and public curiosity become
so excited to witness the destroying of a
fellew creature, that females will and do
forget their place, their heart and feeling
to witness such sight. Blot out such
law and no longer degrade to the level of
brutes those that should train the young
and rising generation with mothers care.
At thirteen minutes before two, Mr..
| Miles shook hands with him and left the
stand; when the Sheriff adjusted the rope
and then left him. We could not per-
ceive the slightest motion in his limbs be
stood erect and perfectly still. The Sher-
if shook hands with him and said, Quinn,
II hope God will pardon you, and that
you will forgive me-" Quinn said 81 do
forgive you sheriff you cannot help it."
At eight minutes before two the drop
fell and Quinn was suspended by his neck
his bOdv heavino yiolentlv Inst now