The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-01

The first execution In Massachusetts, since that Of Pro
fessor Webster took place yesterday at Taunton james
Clough, convicted OF the wilful murder Of Gideon
Manchester at Fan River, the 10th Of July 1852 sui
ferod the extreme penalty Of the law at IL O'Clock In
the prison yard where the hanging apparatus sent from
Boston had been erected The gaows concealed FROM
public gaze by high board We copy the follow
ing account of the execution from the New Bedford SIAN
The prisoner yesterday and this morning exhibited
evidences Of conrition, with mind intent the
reception OF the consolations Of the gospel Rev Mr.
Emery, of the Congregational ORTHODOXY Church. who
has been Cloughs spiritual adviser with him por
ton Of yesterday and he and the Rev Mr. Bodgett
with him this morning preparing his mind for bis I'M
Mr. Deputy Cobb, of Weir village was with the priso
ner through last night He Joined with him In p.yssI
Clorgh retired at 1919 o'clock and rose at O'Clock lie
slept well.
10y O'C1ocx-Reiigous exercises are now being held
in the CELL Rev. Mr Emery read select passages from
the Scriptures adapted to the solemn OCCASION and
touching and impressive address made by Rev. Mr..
Blodgett of Pawtucket A solemny impressive prayer
also offered by Rev +. Maltby The number Of per-
to witness the execution is about ATTY There
crowd of several hundreds surrounding the Jail yard
who restrained far possible from any indecent
conduct by officers detached for that purpose sherirs
Middlesex, in attendance.
At II O'Clock, the religious services having been
peted the prisoner was taken from his cell to the place
Of execution. He walked with Arm STEP and assembled
the stairs to the scaold with quick and lively
men As he turned his head after arriving at the plat
form he recognized prisoner looking out Of the cell ct
him was his request that nothing should be said ~
the gallows, and tho rope immediately adjusted
around his neck, the warrant for his execution read
when the Sheriff touched the fatal spring that Embossed
the PLATFORM it fell and with it the body of the unor
tunae mainland At ak minutes after IL O'Clock all
over. He died almost without struggle, and
lutte to the last displaying Of and forttude
han were to have been anticipated under such circsm
stances.
The execution was well conducted and decently
performed IL IL possible to discharge such sad and
unwolcome Offices. The sheriff and his attendants e1hi
bed the greatest humanity in the performance their
unpleasant duties and every present seemed to be
deeply and sensbly impressed with the soemnites of
the occasion Clough II to be buried this afternoon at
Taunton. Clough was twenty nine years Of age. He
was born in Topshan Maine, but for few years prior
to tho murder he had resided in Fall River where hd
employed in . lumber yard. He was of medium
stature and weighed about $50 pounds He had sharp,
keen eye but beyond this there nothing about his
countenance indicating any great degree Of intelligence
He always wild, reckless, and stubborn person who
would not bear restraint But he il dead and would
recognise in fullest extent the teaching Of the old Latin
adage nothing OF the departed unless speak
OF their good qualities and the excellence of their daily
lives.
The last execution that occurred in this county prior
TO this that Of Benjamin Cummings of Freetown,
for the murder Of Asa Clark the I'D Of October 1888
in that town, by stabbng him In the abdomen with
knife Cummings executed ut the hall entry to
the jail by Horato Leonard, Esq, the sheriff. Cum
mings protested his innocence to the last.