The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-18
Execution OF Frank Smith. It New Orleans.
for the Murder or His WIG.
from the New Orleans Delta, July 81

from the New orleans Delta, July Il
At an early hour yesterday morning crowd had
gathered around the parish prison, completely block
ing up Orleans street and the immediate vicinity
attracted thither, either to witness be the
scene Of that greatest Of novelties in our city the
execution Of murderer. Men, women and child
zen were there assembled, crowding around the bars
OF the prison, though there was not the slightest
Possibility that their curiosity would be satisfied as
'he execution was to take place in the prison yard,
where, shut out from the worlds rude gaze, sur
rounded by high walls, the unfortunate victim to his
own brutal passions was to expiate his crime upon
the galows ere that glorious sum- upon whose rising
be had looked for the last time, should reach ss me-
ridian height.
We arrived at the prison about half.past nine
O'Clock, were conducted into the yard by Mr.. Pow.
ers and found that the Sheriff and his officers and
gentlemen Of the press, had already arrived. Among
others were Judge Robertson, District Attorney
Tappan, Chief James, Captain Moynan, and Deputy
Coroner Terrell.
erected. Its architectural arrangements were sufii-
GENTLY simple, consisting Of small platform, at
tached to the wall by hinges, and kept in horizon
tai position by ropes from each outer corner which
were carried over the platform at angle of forty
five degrees through an iron-barred window in the
rear, and there fastened the cutting Of which ropes
from a concealed position by the hangman, would
let the platform drop. About ten feet above this
which wasattached the rope with the moose Of death
Upon the platform WIS rude stool-the las. seat
Of the murderer.
At Eve minutes past ten, Smith was brought forth
from his cell by the deputy sheriff, accompanied by
Father Mcmahon, his spiritual adviser. tie looked
very feeble, but walked forth to death with firm
tread; and he wasabout to step from the balcony
to the platform, he bid farewell to Father Mcmahon
teripg voice, Z Good bye; may the Lord have mer-
cy on mel" be stepped on to the platform and sat
down upon the STOOL The hangman, who was dis
gused in long robe, ard had his face com pletely
lit IL L..1 As~R At
rope around his neck, and deputy sheriff Fabre,
standing on the balcony close by him, read the
death warrant Of the Governor for his execution.
During the reading Of the warrant Smith moved
tinued to upon the name Of the Lord and invoke
Divine mercy. The reading of the warrant was
finished, and the hangman approached and pulled
the white cap over his face. He now sat perfectly
calmly awaited for the platform to drop. The hang
man left the platform, retired into back room,
where be cut the ropes which held II in its position
We dropped our eyes to the ground-a noise as Of
when we again looked up Frank Smith was dangling
betwe heaven and earth; the vigorous add healthy
man bad, in one short moment, been launched into
eternity and his spirit had winged its fight TO the
bar OF the Great Judge Of all the EARTH there to rem
der an account Of the deeds done In the body.
He died hard. The convulsfve twitchings Of the
muscles were very violent for more than five
minutes, and continued for ten minutes with less
After hanging for some time the body was lowered
nearly TO the earth, when II was examined by the
attending physicians; the heart was stin beating
violently, nor did II cease to throb for more than
ten minutes. Subsequently, when another examina-
ton was had, and being pronounced dead, the body
was taken down and placed In coffin. Ills eek
was not dislocated, the knot having slipped to the
back instead Of remaining under the left ear aud 80
he was choked TO death. A half hours time must
have elapsed from the dropping Of the platform till
be was pronounced dead.
8Hmih had mono Of the ferocity or brutality OF the
cold blooded murderer In his contenance; In fact It
had rather q mild and humane expression. he
made no "last speech" before being swung of:
plead nothing In exclamation Of the awful crime he
had committed, though day or two previous he
stated TO several persons That he was satisfied his
sentence Just one; that he deserved death: he
had no doubt he killed his wife, but was unable 70
recall 70 mind the least circumstance connected
with the murder; he was very drunk ct the time.r
Smith was an Irishman by birth; was about forty
five years Of sge, though be had lived In this city
Tor over fifteen years, had been married about SIX
years and had always borne very good character.
he owned small house ct the corner q Broad and
Common streets, near the Swamp, where he follow
ed the occupation Of . wood choppsr-was doing
well In the world and II Ii said had always lived
happily with his wife. On the Sunday evening
when he committed the murder, he had doubtless
been ont end got very drunk, and returning home
quarelled with his wife, and beat hcr 70 death with
an axe some other equally deadly instrument. /,
to be hoped that the fate Of this may have the
effect to STRIKE some terror 10 The sous Of other evil
1 doors In Our city.