Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-06-28
ExEoUTIoN or r. ). ORoCKLTF.
Esq1l q gsn Tl9a.aaa sIpestat0rs PFesenl.
FROM the Augusta tdso.) Chronicle, 2ist-l

TT
months, suffered the extreme penalty oithe
The high responsibility and piety Of young
Crocketts parents-his association and connec-
ton with Notorious elan Of thieves anu ssss
sins. and above all his free and unreseryed con-
fessior of all this, as we'll as ofsthe murder OF
Landrum, united to create a deep sensation IN
the communttY, and to invest his case with
degree of interest more intense thnn perhaps
was ever before manifested in Georgia, ON any
similar occasion.
The criminal was taken from the jail, by
Sheriff Love and Deputy Sheriff Green about IL
o'clock, NJ and placed in apriyate carriage-s
Rev. M. Key, Pastor of one of the Methodist
Churches in the city, and DIR. 3. n. Calhoun,
rode in the carriage with the officers and prs
oner The ancient custom OF conveying the
criminal from Jail TO the gallows in an open
,ro.,of, or cart. and setting on his coffin, was
departed from in this instance Neither was
the prisoner dressed in his grave clothes before
leaving the Jail, us is usual, but wore his Gus
tomary clothing--a black suit
As early as yesterday afternoon, visitors from
tho surrounding towns and country began 10
arrive in the city by the different trains, IN or
der to be present and eyewitnesses OF the solemn
and awful ceremonies which have been enacted
In our midst. At an early hour this morning,
the crowd began to gather in the nelgh6orh0od
Of the Jail, and long before the hour OF IL o'clock
had arrived, an immense multitude, numbering
Inv thousands, ma COlleCLeu tu AhS
mediate vicinity of the prison, and in all the
streets leading from it. So crowded were the
grounds that it was with some difficulty the
Sheriff and his attendants could make their way
through the mass of human beings, In order to
reach the entrance gate of the jail enclosures
The place of execution was about half mile
from the prison, near the McDOnough road, just
outside the city limits Aud one Of the strong
est condolences that we have ever noticed, oc-
Cured in connection with the place necessarily
selected for execution. 1t will be remembered
by every one who has read Crocketts Comics
sion, that he says the hrst time he ever saw Ian
drum in his life, that he knows of, was on the
day of the murder, and that he saw him .ISrst,
near Arch Browns grocery, on the McDonough
t.Oad near Atlanta. And strange to say, within
$50 wards, or less, of this spot was the place
selected for the execution. And we understand
the Sheriff could not get any other suitable place
within one mile.
The crowd around the jail patiently awaited
the arrival Of theSheriff and his attendants, and
when they emerged from the prison with the
criminal in full view of the crowd, thrill or
sensation seemed to pervaide the entire multi
,tudc which we cannot describe, and are wholly
unable to understand. Ii could clearly be seen
nv n close observer, and appeared to bea stimuli
taneous expression Of ease, after period OF the
most terrible suspense. The carriage containing
the prisoner. proceeded up to McDonough Street.
and out that street To the place of execution, at
slow speed, accompanied by handsomely
uniformed volunteer company, armed with bur
nished nuskets as guard. The military COM
pany numbered iorty-two NEIL The carriage
and military escort was followed to the galIowE
by a large number OF men, women, and chill
dTen. Of MI ages, sizes and color-a few buggies
and other vehicle Int mostly on foot
At tile place Of execution, large number OF
curious SPECTATORS had also collected at nm early
hour in the morning, and having taken all the
most advantageous positions in view OF the gal
lows were awaiting the arrival of the prisoner.
When the procession from the Jail Joined and
mingled with those at the place of execution,
considerable disorder and confusion prevailed
for q few minutes, caused by the great Anxiety
of all to secure positions from which they could
see the dreadful tragedy which was about to DO
enacted before them Order, however, was soon
restored and the prisoner and his attendants
assembled the scaifold, prepared for the OCCASION
The criminal appeared to be cool and collected
not the slightest agitation seemed to disturbed
his nerves. He occupied seat on the platform,
while Rev. C. w. Key addressed a few remarks
to the vast assemblage. Mr. Key said that he
entertained strong confidence, from the prison
er's own profession, and from the best evidences
that he had been able to gather as ono Oh MS
spiritual advisers that he had made ms peace
with his God, and was prepared to meet his
fate. That he had seen him daily for a week
past, and that the prisoner had assured him
that he died without aught IN his heart ngainst
anv man. even those who had done him the
nIostinitiry. That he had assurance that God
had forgiven him for the crime which he had no
intention to commit, few minutes before he die
the fatal deed, and that he had sincerely repent
ed of this and all Others.
He further stated, that he had confidence to
believe, from tho popularity of the case talting
all the circumstances into the account that the
profession of his faith in Christ, was genuine
one That his parting words to his wife, and
the calmness of his parting mind under the |
circumstances, gave him increased assurance
He then begged the earnest supplications OF the
pious in hisGehalf, that God would graciouSly re-
ceiyo him, With few other remarks Of like char
aeter, when earnest prayer was made rhips
After which, the Sheriff caused he.pTisoner 10
rise on his feet and to step on TO the fatal plank
hndct the galloWs, wilenithe shrOud. cap and
rope we're adjusted. All things being ready,
trigger was touched, the plank on which he
stood suddenly dropped, and Radford J. Crocket
was launchedSinto eternity.
Exhibiting not the slightest agitation, his
countcnancc appeared to be unusually serene
and pleasant The body was allowed to remain
suspended for the spaceof thirty minutes, when /
it was taken down, placed ina metallic coffin,
and delivered to his relatives who W III convey "
to the residence of his parents, in HARRISON
county We understood that his attechonate
and devoted wife asserted her right of having It
under der special charge, and would accompany