The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1855-04-21
The Execution OF
ROBERT SWIFT.

tr of Jeremiah kilhour--paid OH the SailowS
the awful penalty of his crime.
As most Of our readers will remember, the
killing Of klhour took place in Hartford on
The 10th of august, 1853. The trial was
removed to this county and resulted in the
conviction of the accused on the 2nd day of
November last.
Soon after sunrise yesterday strangers be
gan to 50 about our streets; the numbers i'll
creased as the morning advanced and at ten
o'clock there were large crowds about the
hotels, the Jail and the Court lIouse-=motley
crowds Of black and white, old and young,
male and female, wcll-clad and ragged.
A rcquisition had been made on the militia
of the town and ncighborhood, and at half
past ten o'clock Col. Howard, assisted by
Maj. Ellis, appeared on the groiind with 100
men armed with muskcts and bayorcts, di-
vidcd into four companies under Captains
May Crcswell Mccullough and Cantwcll;
and a troop of Horse under coitiinand OF Cap
tain Henry Bennett, making an imposing APP
rcarancc. The ground before the Jail was
cleared ly the military and at a quarter be-
fore eleven the Jail opened and the condemned
inan Was led forth pinoncd, and placed in
nm open wagon, with the sheriff on his right,
the Rev. Mr.. Way, who stuck to him like a
father, on his left, and occupying seats be-
hind him Rev. Mcssrs Flannery and Freeman,
William Torbert, ESQ. and VIM. Pinkncy
Ewing, Esq, who had kindly consented to
act as Reporter for The Cecil Wing.
:. At quarter before eleven the solemn pro-
ccssion moved off slowly to the place of exc
cution-a wagon with the coffin following
close to that conveying the prisoner, and the
two surrounded by the military in hollow
square: and accompanied by a curious and
anxious crowd Of several hundreds.
The morning was balmy and bright-thc
sun now Shonc out swcetly between the
clouds, and now dash of rain drops like
tears came down on the multitude. They
took him away to Grey S Hill, the most beau
tiful spot around the town, where the trees
wee budding and the birds were singing and
amid that scene Of life and beauty the Grim
nal was hanged and the law was avenged.
1t Is told to us there never was a more order
" OF better conducted execution. The sheriff
performed all lis part with remarkable firm
hrss and propricty and no disorder, as had
been apprchcndcd Occurred among the crowd.
So 'nuch for Ctr prcface-we kept away
from the scene. and now give room to what
our reporter has to say Of the incidents Of the
execution.
At fifteen minutes before eleven the door
Of his cell was flung open. and the wrctchcd
culprit, with his arms tied at the elbows by
stout cord and pinion.d behind his back
md leaning on the Shcrif's shoulder was
brought ont. Several ofhis spiritual advisers
who had been engaged with him i'll prayer
and divine services during the morning ac
companied him, and rode with him to til,
place Of execution. His step was as firm
and his countcnance MS unmovcd as at any
time during, or since his conviction, and thu
only change we could perceive upon hin
since the day he was led from the Court
House under sentence of death, was that h,
was somewhat thinner and palcr from close
confinement
The place fixed for execution was on thu
top of Gr.ys Hill about mile and half cas-
of Elkton, and on cleared spot commanding
fine vietT of the surrounding country. Or
reaching the scatIold he assembled the steps
leading to the platform and took sea
which had been placed there for his accomo
fation. The Shcr lift, Revs. Mcssrs. Way ant
Flanncry, Mr.. Thomas Freeman, the mis-
sionary, and VIM. Torbert, Esq, also as
ccnded the scalIold. A hymn was then sung
md prayer offered in his behalf by Rev
Mcssrs. Flanncry and Way, in which thu
prisoner seemed to join quite earnestly. Dur
ing the services he was considerably agtatet
and rocked to and fro in his seat. Whe,
Mr. Ways prayer was ended he bid thos
who were with him on the platform goot
bye, adding that he had nothing to say. Th
Sheriff then fastened the rope on the bean
overhead, drew black cap over his face
placed the moose around his neck and as h,
walked down the steps at 20 minutes past
twelve, cut the rope that sustained the trap
door on which Swift stood-it fell and tn,
doomed man was launched into enternity.
The scafIold was ten feet from the ground
with drop Of three feet, and he died witt
scarcely struggle. His feet never moved
after the fall, and there was no movement o
his body or limbs whatever, with the exccp
ton of a few convulsive struggles Of his arms
After hanging about twenty minutes he wa.
taken from the gallows. pronounced dead by
Doctors Emory and Wallace, placed in a cot
fin, and delivered to some of his friends to b,
taken to Hartford county where the crime fo
which he suffered was committed, and whcr,
he had expressed wish to DO buried by tn,
side of his mother.
Some fifteen hundred persons we're presen'
to witness the execution, and we were sorry
to see within fifty yards of the gallows, 81,
or eight very pretty and interesting young
ladies, reclining in their carriages and, to al
appearances, enjoying the horrible sight
We never saw moro quiet and orderly
crowd assembled for anv occo e;op and ,f,o,