New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-06-25
EXECUTION OF GEO. ". SHARPE AND
JOHN JOHNSON

We conpile an sccourt Of the execution Of sharpe
and johnson, on Friday LAST, al Edwartsvule, near
Alton, from The Courier They are the ssme me1
whom the mob tired TO take from the jail and hsny g
fortnight ago.
About eight thousand persons were present. con-
siderable portion Of whom females and chIldFes
For several days b. fore their execution they b,ih
seemed duly resigned 10 their fate, and prepared TO
meet and try the realities Of eternity; but on Thurs
day morning Sharpe yielded TO dependent ana
de pairing feelings, and seemed 10 snues oiesu,uV
with fear and terror during the last few hoGU VI hs
life.
The prisoners were both young heavy set, ard
rather good-l0okirs men. They evidently had eeen
possessed Of he thy and Wig rOus frames, capable ~
PERI III irc much labor Robert Shsrpe, the younger
If the brothers cordenred has been sent 10 the
States Prison for life, under continuation OF sentence
by GOV. Bsssl.
Shsrye had two brothers and two sisters, including
the one now in the PeuitentaTy; johnson had four
sstrs and four brothers. the parents OF both are az
living yet but no relative, or even acquaintance who
knew them before they committed the murder, was
beside them in their last trying hour.
Altar those whose duty or privilege 1t was had
ssCeuted 10 The platform Of the sestold, Sheriff job
briefly addressed the assembled multitude.
The sheriff then extended permission. even az
Invitation the prisoners 10 address TIE audience, ~
which johnson Immediately awaited himself:
lie sand be stood before his bearers cold -oocced
n urdeler Of which crime he had been found guilty.,
ard Fcr which he was 10 be 50 teFribi, yet -
Justly punished. In few minutes he and one OF his
comIaIops in guilt would be suddenly launched inse
oeruitv ard sent into the presence o the great Hoa
whose laws they had violated with the blood ct ,heT
victim " Ted upon their hands but ne nau an nun,
be hope that be mad made lls peace VITA "vd' sna
that although bis crime had been great nus SaNh,on
wa. sure His soul was ST peace; be bad no malice
in his herlt and he ady AID Wiling u meet mo
Judge Of AL the earth. His punishment, although
terrible was iust and BE- was prepared 10 meet is. II
Re bad ZEN ained a, home during his early youth ssa
obeyed lie pious Instructions of his mother, he wo0d
not now have been on the scsfVld cvpde mn.d muir.
dcrer lie hoped all the youth who beard him would
take warning by his example, be influenced ny tnc
couuscs Of their good aud P.ous mothers keep Of
bad company and bad habits aud thus avoid the ter
rible fate that had So soon overtaken MIN.
Johpson spoke with much feeling and earnestness,
and manifested deep emotion while spsakisg
Sharpe seemed desire 10 speak, but was so over
Gene with the horrors Of his situation be was unable
TO do SO.
tionste leave Of each other the Sheriff and bis dep1-
ties aud the attending clergymer.
johnson seem, d perfectly composed, and met Ms
fate without exhibiting the least symptom OF tear OF
even T, grct. lie stood erect and without trembling.
retained the rudy natural glow OF health IN hts lace,
and as much fimness and oaldnesS oil mind as IA sn
ordinary business transaction. Often he would clasp
lis hands ard smile of apparently perfect happiness
would oycIspreao his features. He seemed perfectly
willing-even anxious for his last moment TO come.
When the Sheriff told them 10 step on the drop, no
turned TO his companion and said GeoIge, VINE shio
would you rather stand On = d.
Sharpe was tonLly affected and vas really pitt
able object to behold. His eyes seemed 10 have
almost Ost ali expression, and exhibited dohisg but
CLASSY, Geathke stare; his aec was ashy pale, and
show ed AZ color IA lvd purple hue; his hands
were alternately and couyusively clasped aud raised
in supphcaion and he constantly gave nt,esauce to
heartr, nding oans ncoherent prayers. when re-
crested 10 step forward upon the drop, he obeyed eS-
claiming. 80 Lord have mercy on mel dare not
die, I'm afraid am not preparedr
The ropes adjusted round their necks, their
arms were pniond together across their backs, their
hands tied white muslin caps were drawn over their
heads and when all was ready, at single stroke
Sheriff job evered the cord which held the supporters
of the drop and in instant the nnfostunate murder
ers were suspended in mid air in the agones OF death.
They both struggled very much for more than
minute. In about minutes after they tell, john
son ceased to manifest any signs OF life Sharpe con-
tnued to struggle though less and less, for ful five
minutes The knot of the moose had slipped round to
the back Of his head, and the fall had tailed to break
his reck; he therefore lived until he was literally
clicked to death. They both fell about five feet, and
if tbeknot had remained In the right position his neck
would have been Instantly broken, Of course.
After having hung full 80 minutes, tho bedes vera
taken down and buried.