The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-08-30
EXECUTION In NEW JRRsKY.


The execution of John J. Fox for the murder Of
John Henry, near the town Of New Brunswick
N. j., in the month of December last, took place
"Wednesday in the prison Yard of the jail Of that
place. The New York Herald gives the following
account Of the execution:
At An early hour on the morning Of the execu.
ton the streets and avenues leading to the jail
were thronged with An idle crowd, who endeay-
cred to get glimpse of the scaffold by climbing
upon the tops Of the adjoining trees and houses
Although 1t wanted several hours OF tho time ap.
pointed for the execution, still all New Brunswick
was alive with excitement Every train from the
East and the West brought fresh arrivals from the
towns lying along the route of the New Jersey
Railroad.
AS the hour Q1 o'clock for the execution ap-
preached, the excitement among the crowd on the
outside of the prison increased in proportion In
the yard, the spectators-to the number of three
hundred perhaps-were calm, and quietly awaited
the moment when the culprit would be seen max
ing his egress from the cell door.
The Rev. Mr.. Stubs and the Rev. Mr.. Croes of
the Protestant Episcopal Church. visited the pris-
oner in his cell at 9 o'clock, and continued with
him up to the moment Of his arrival on the scat
fold He expressed to them deep contrition for his
past sins, and prayed forgiveness from God for
such unlawful acts committed during his short
career He said he was innocent of the murder
of Henry, but admitted having led vicious life -
He hoped that his SOD, now an infant two weeks
old, would be properly reared aud educated in the
fear of the Almighty. In conclusion he hoped
that his sad end would serve as q warning to many
young men who, falling into bad company, were
apt to have their hands stained with crime.
At 90 minutes past 10 O'Clock the rope was ad.
justed TO the gallows, and the necessary prepare
tions were made for the approaching event.
At ii o'clock Sheriff Acken accompanied by two
assistants proceeded to the cell of the cuprit and
Informed him that the fatal moment had arrived
The prisoner, without being in the least affected,
from his seat and allowed himsefte be pinion.
ed without showing the slightest evidence of fear
Everything being in readiness the procession left
the cell and walked to the gallows.
Fox walked calmly to the ladder leading to the
fatal drop, when he stopped for few seconds and
surveyed the surrounding scene He was dressed
in gray cashmere pants, white cotton shirt and
patent leather CATERS His hair was neatly dressed,
and az he turned and looked upon those who sur
rounded him, frame of great physical strength
was apparent to all His face was somewhat pale,
but no fear or symptoms of cowardice could be
traced in his iron countenance.
The platform was reached in solemn silence. The
attention of every one was fixed upon the face of
the unfortunate man, as he assumed an attitude as
if about to address the assemblage But they were
disappointed for the prisoner merely said, Mr..
Speer has got my statement in his hands" and
then intimated that he was ready to die
The Sheriff then approached him, and placed
the moose around his neck. During the progress
of this proceeding Fox evinced great bravery
u
cate cowardice, but, the contrary, he evinced
the most extraordinary bravery ever witnessed
perhaps at any execution for the crime of murder.
The white cap was then placed over the head of
the culprit, when, in a clear and manly voice, he
exclaimed-"My wife and my child-God remem.
Der them"
He then nerved himself for the shock that was
so nigh, and braced himself for the painful death
in store for him.
At twenty -.inutes past ii o'clock the fatal bolt
was drawn, the trap FELL and the body of the cul-
prit was suspended in the air The drop was fully
four feet, yet the neck of the prisoner was not
broken as his struggles for several minutes after
clearly showed The eonvulsve movement of the
culprit for nearly eight minutes after the trap fell
sent thrill of horror to the souls of the most cal
lous number of women who were viewing the
spectacle from some of the prison windows, rent
the air with their shrieks. Their sobs and tears
showed evidently that they sympathised strongly
with the unfortuna te man, who in the last agonies
of death was dangling before them.
After the corpse remained hanging for ten min.
utes longer it was cut down and placed in walnut
coffin 1t was then taken to the Park, in front of
the Court House, where the multitude were per-
mitted to view it, passing in regular file beside
the coffin. Several thousands gazed upon the
blackened and distorted features of the most har
dened criminal that ever disgraced the town of
New RrunsWck