Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-09-08
Execution of John Burns.

In the Wheeling papers, full accounts are
given of the execution of the wretchcd crini-
nal John Burns, Friday last, for the
murder Of an abandoned woman, Mary Mon
tony, in May last. At The time Of the horri-
bic murder, the details were published 10
this city. The execution was performed, as
we deprecatingly stated few weeks since
it would be- on considerable eminence near
the city. 1t Is SAID that some ten or fifteen
thousand persons witnessed the dreadful spec
tacle Annexed is the account OF one OF the
Wheeling papers:-
about half-past eleven, the condemned,
supported by Sheriff Irwin, Deputy Sights
and Jailor Smith, appeared within the lines,
and immediately assembled the scaf id. He
was pale and haggard from recent loss of
blood and long confinement, and seemed so
weak as to be scarcely able to walk without
assistance. He bowed to some one in the
crowd in ascending the steps, and faint
smile was perceptible on his face. He was
seated upon a chair, with his face to the
north, when Sheriff Irwin approached and
inquired kindly if he had anything to say to
the people. / have nothing to say he re-
piled in voice scarcely audible and some
what trcmulOus He remarked to his attcn-
dants in she omnibus that he did not feel a
certainty as to bis future condition in the
world to come but that he hoped for saliva
ton. He said he dId not fear death that he
was ready to expiate his sentence; that he
felt sorry for his friends and relatives, and
prayed for them On the scaifoid after the
condemned had taken his seat on the trap
door, the Rev. Mr.. Paul and others prayed
with him for some time.
The moose was arranged about the neck o
l the condemned. and attached to the bean
+ above. His face was turned towards tht
south, and we saw his lips move as if il
PRAYER. Revs PAUL and Perkins and Jailo
e Smith shook him by the hand and bade hin
. farewell. Sheriff Irwin also shook him b,
the band, with God bless you, aud turned
} away much affected. Before the people wcr
e aware of it, the bolt was pulled up, and oh
e Burns, clothed in the habilimcnts of til
is grave, hung struggling in tie agonics c
death, before an eager, dlscoTdant multitud
of ten thousand. Thousands turned ava
n from the fearful scene, and an awful silenc
# prevailed. The body hung about ten min
St utes and when the attendant physicians az
: preached to see if life was extinct, the kpl
q Slipped, and the body dropped heavily
10 the ground beneath the scafold. An exam
- ina.ion then discovered the fact that the vit
h spark had departed and the body was give
% in charge of the undcrtakers, who placed
or in cofhu, and conveyed it by hearsc 10 I'll
~ residence of deceascd's father, on Mark
!, street, followed by large number of pc
ri sons
g. When the body reached the residence
p the old man, he was found sitting upon
n shed in front Of the house, looking wild
IN about him. and seeming utterly unconscio
" of what had taken place Suddenly he arc
A. from his seat, and in opposition to the cffor
lc of woman to dvtain him, stunLlin gly a
! . preached, and exclaimed: People, 20 honl
or mere Is no loo!n lor you hcfe' anu "o0
ey De huch opigeu II you "ouiu 70 "io"S nVH
a AHN Ci0"" ' ~ 0 " o"i 49,
of request, and thus ended the tragedy. PIT
Jarg True Press.