The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-09-01

| ORDER OF THE TROOPS.
| The armed forces Of the COMMITTEES were 80 sta.
tfoned ~ to command all the approaches to the
spot and to prevent any interference with the du.
ties OF the execufioner, were such design intend
cd Horsemen guarded the outposss. or the inter.
sections OF streets three four blecks distant from
the gallows; and heavy ordnance Sss stationed
q the corners Of California, Sacramento and Com
merciai streets, on Front and Davis streets which
were manned by the artillery compasies The in.
fantry companies were paraded along all the vari.
Gus streets, within three or four blocks Of the
rooms in regular order, and maintained the most
perfect discipline and decorumthroughout the long
and tirssome duties of the day. The companies
thaf Termed the square about the gafiows, we oh.
served, were those of Captains Horsefress, Badger
Mcdonald and Ellis, one upon each side. The
oristling bayonets were to be seen every side,
and made the scene one Of grandeur and yet So
lemnity. It was rumored .ha. an attempt would
be made by some sheriff or deputy to get upon the
ground near the scafod for the purpose of serving
some writ upon the persons in charge OF the pris.
oners; consequently, great precaution was taken
10 prevent any person from passing, unless by the
authority of the officer of the day.
THE APPROACH TO THE GALLows.
At half past clock, the preparations at the
tee were escorted from their rooms TO the vicinity
OF the gallows, where they occupied separate
position in a body. The prisoners were then
brought down from their cells, and placed each in
. carriage, accompanied by q guard of officers,
and were driven to the execution ground. A
death like stiffness prevailed among the specta-
tors and the soldiers rs the carriages approached,
and many of them stood uncovered. Both of
them assembled the scaffold with firm step, and
to all appearance little affected by the scene
before them The Rev. Mr. Thomas, of the Meth
odist Episcopal church, also went upon the scat.
fold, accompanied by two or three officers, who
oficiated as executioners The arms of the
prisoners were pnioned when they ascendcd the
hail l,uyo
as soon as they reached the platform Both aided
the officers in adjusting the moose to their necks.
With great coolness they took off their neck ties,
and loosened thsix shirt collars unconcernedlv
as though they were about the most ordinary af.
fairs of life. When the ropes were placed upon
their necks, Brace turned to his companion and
extended his hand, which was taken by Hether.
ington, when . few words passed, as though they
were bidding adieu to each other, and Hather.
ington proceeded to address the assemblage.
Hetheringtsn thsn spoke as follows:-
Gentlemen-You may think me . hardened sin
ner, but appear before you cool, unconcerued
and free. am now about to meet my Maker
To the best of my knowledge here, / have not
lived one day in my lifs-to the best of my know
ledge, have not lived day in my life that was
afraid to meet my Maker that night. To the re-
porter.-Hsve you got thatil Do not think that
/ am boastful or Dragging such is not my case.-
The Rev. Bishop Kpp has been with me all day
mot all day, but nearly all day.
BTace-Go on-go on, with what you have to
say, tthe executioner checked him.l Away, you
id son Of b-h.
Heherington-I am not any more penitent TO-
day than have been any day of my life.
Brace-Go on, old hoss
Hetheringson-Ia a conversation which ha
with Mr. O'Brien two weeks ago, our converse
tion turned upon religion, and / assured him that
there never was day in my life
Brace-Hurry up, and not stop SO long. Do
you think l want to stand here and be stared
At by these ignoramuses l wish to meet my
doom Immediately.
HetherinEton-They tell me to stop. Several
voices in the crowd, Speak on; 60 on, HeIhering.
TONI
Hetherington-I have not disobeyed any of the
rules Of that house, (pointing to the Committee
Rooms) should be very sorry to do it, if you
will say 90 on, will 60 on.
Brace-Go on, and brave 1t out. Don't talk
about DR.. Kipp they don't want to know any
thing about him.
Heiherinston. (after pause)-where did l
About DR.. O'Brien.D
Neutrality-suspicious. conversation turned upon
religion.
Brace, Qaughing)-Ah, ah, am drunk, 30 am
all right
Hetherington-I told the Doctor was prepared
to meet my God at any moment; and further, that
never lived one day in my life that was not
prepared to meet my God at the night. Dr. p
OBrien will make an affidavit to that, think, if
called upon.
..
to your hearts content. ! don't care d-n.
want you to understand that clearly fully and dis.
tiDctly, gents.
Hetherngton-The gentlemen have given or.
ders to go ahead. will change my note, and
will merely say ~ orders have beon given to STOP
that in the first difficulty had with Dr. Baldwin,
had to shoot him in defence Of my own life.
Brace.-I shall die murdered by the Vigilance
COMMITTEES. July 20, 1856, wish that clearly and
distinctly understood on the house top there.
khAxs Id 1r xI-A
it hangs upon me. must stop; but will first add,
that far killing DR.. Randall is concerned
merely asked for . conversation with McCorkls.
when he turned round aud drew his pistol immedi.
aiely; Imerely shot him 10 save my own life l
have lived q gentleman all my life, and will die a
gentleman, though on the gallows. defy any man
in the whole world to prove that have done one
| dishonorable act in my life. / have been abused
by the public press of this city, where have
sided five six years, for some cause unknown
to me- am now in a few minutes to be launched
into eternity. You may please yourselves, not
withstanding, have no bad feeling towards any
person living. forgive every man freely, as ex.
| peet my Redeemcr to forgive me. Lord have mer
Brace-God d-n II, dry upl What's the use
talking to themf
Hetherington.-I was going to make remark
that very few people
Brace.-Go II, old hossi
Hetheringtan have led a life pure, mild and
| above all rsproach. AS to how have been treat
ed, will say for Mr. Gillespie that he insulted me
very much, but freely forgive him. T. ]. L. Smi
ley has been friend towards me.
Brace-Come, dry up! What the by HI Is
the use of keeping the here Just waiting on You
l want to go through with it.
Hetherington-My witnesses were never put
before jury. protested against several things
that had been done. am satisfied that no jury
ON the face Of the earth would have convicted me.
So far fair trial have not had. am not afraid
to meet my God hope the Lord will have mercy