Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1855-06-07
Execution Of Parks.

1AcCub4ou VI A al An
The sventful career Of yAnes Parks. the
murderer Of william BsAsson. tsFminAtsd last
Fridsy, the lsi inst. st precisely four minutes
past one O'Clock, P. II. He was executed
within the Cleveland Jail. We collect the fol.
loving facts relative to bis execution, from the
Cleveland LEADER ~
The sesEoldppon which be was executed
was In The northeast corner Of the corridor
which surrounds the he eslls Of The priaOners,
and consisted of platform six feet BY eight, |
about eightfeet from the ground, having two
trap doors with joint support which could be
easily removed BY touching lever in the rear
with point Of a cane. Il
A few minutes before he was executed. be
repeated bis request that those present would
be kind 10 his wife. 1t was suggested that a
collection be taken for her benefit. The sum
Of S44 66 was raised in Q few Minutes. When
the amount was whispered 10 Parks, be SEEM
ed deeply affected. aud said, in broken voice.
! you have done ell could ask. May God
bless you ALL @ .rt
About fifty persons we're present at his eE-
seutiOn. including the sheriff and officers ofthe
JAIL his counsel at his late trial, reporters for
the press, and citizens who had been invited.
There was strange seriousness in every coun-
tenancs, and mysterious silence in every
cell; for all the prisoners were carefully locked
up. Parks lay on pallet in the corridor,
securely handeufed and manacled, presenting
a ghSstly picture to the spectators.
At ten minutes after eleven o'clock, the
sheriff asked him whether he was ready. He
replied in the Affirmative, and his limbs were
unbound; not, however, before he made most
solemn promise that he would attempt no ViO'
lence upon himself. promise which, it is bu
Il Justice to say, he faithfully kept. Marsha
= Fitch, DR.. Strong, and Mr., BoswOrth, the Jail
u or, assisted the sheriff to dress him. The
a put on him simply fine linen shirt, pair o
e coarse wooden stockings. He then called for
u cigar, lit it, and smoked calmly for about 6f
i teen minutes, during which time he was evi
; IDENTIFY trying to quiet his nerves. Perhaps nj
u idea connected With the tragedy was half S,
}; painful as that Of the pale faced man stayinl
is up his nerves in order to be choked to dealt
J. according to law. .- -.-. .-.-.l ....
=. About half-past eleven, he inquired fer
a clergyman, but was told that there was non
:, present. He then called for bis brother-in-law
O' JOIN DICKINSON, and gave him directions as /
Q the disposition of bis body. He wished tbs
the public nigh. not be allowed TO gaze upo
D. him suspended from the gallows, but wishe
. that he might be taken down, decently shsveC
y dressed and deposited in bis coffin, and thS
y those who had curiosity might be allowed
r look upon him. He also requested him to r.
n. frain from writing anything to his friends an
~ parents IN England which would inform theI
= of his true fate on the scaffold.
At fifteen minutes before twelve, he 6nisl
l. ed his cigar, swallowed mouthful of brand
pit and water, and told the sheriff he was read
ne He mounted the scaffold with feeble step, b
=. with an undaunted air, and after resting fe
: minutes called for some brandy and water or
" made speech to the spectators, which, thoug
desultory in lis character, contained some e.
is quis:te touches of pathos and eloquence.
ss The following is the conclusion of his n
of marks;
:" You observe that am not attended by an
re clergymen. have tried through life to ascel
Q, ain The right way by the study of morals an
}. ethics but have not always done right,
have read the Bible thoroughly, and had
conformed to the precepts of Jesus Christ
should moi now be here but we cannot und
what has been done. Would to God that
70 could but am not guilty Of this murder
he Starting suddenly from his seat and steppin
of Eon the drop) l am ready TO meet my God.-
er I am not guilty of murder, either premeditate
~ or otherwise. ....
VI He sat down, wiped the cold sweat of b
ms face, and his limbs were piAioned he the
er- rose up and the rope was adjusted round
neck. He requested the sheriff TO permit hi
to give the signal, and handkerchief W
!. handed to him. Just before the white cap W
'"e drawn down over his face, he exclaimed, in
ws audable voice, "I DUE AN INNOCENT MAN"
nty gave the signal, and at precisely four mnut
- past one O'Clock, the drop fell, precipitatiI
MA him about six feet and breaking his neck
:. the first Joint. The weight coming so sudde
~ ly upon The rope caused it to stretch, aud
BODY rebounded five or six inches, and swu
rapidly from side to side ill one of those in
nit tendance stopped it. He made no perceptit
At. struggle, and seemed to die without pain, tf
-, one or Two persons who stood close by, saw
= the contortions of his face, which, on a clio
gs' inspection could be seen through the thin co
snr erng, unmistakable evidences that be did n
for Immediately lose his consciousness. His pul
.af became very feeble at the end of three mi
utes, in eight minutes it ceased to beat, Al
in twelve minutes he was pronounced dead.
Thus died JAMES PARKs--died as he h
W. lived--s stranger TO fear, mischief to hi
ta- self, an incomprehensible mystery to others
in contradiction to the laws of human nature.
are are FROM EUROPE.