Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-09-03
Execution of the Albion lOOnev
MuciercrS at Auburn. VIC.

Il LEWISTON, Aug. Il. 49, 3.
At an carly hour this morning motlev crow,
ofpcople from the adjoining towns commenced
pouring into Auburn by railroad stage and pri
vate conveyance, to witness the execution of Pc
ter p" iiliams and Abraham Cox, the Albion Coop
er murderers. At daylight two hundred people
MAD already assembled in front of the Court
House, IN the yard of which the gallows wa erect
co. inns early crowd included several females
one being an old lady of about seventy years. A.
the morning advanced the crowd constantly and
D rapidly increased. At nine o'clock three thous.
ana people were on the spot at ten o'clock at least
four thousand. On the other side of the road, di
rcetly opposite the galows is quite an emnence
which, together with the roofs and windows Of
some of the neighboring buildings, was black with
/ spectators. Inside the iron fence surrounding the
Court House, detachment of the Auburn Artil-
lery, Capt. Nash, paced to and fro, and protected
the area from being oyerrun by the crowd.
Williams and Cox passed rather a quiet night,
ana tnis morning exhibited no more excitement
than they had for some days before. When visit
cd by our reporter, Cox was pacing his cell with
quick st'p. lie did not seem inclined to converse
put expressed his wishes and responded to ques.
tions by signs
The cell of Williams was fragrant with flowers
which had been provided by the wife of sheriff
Clark of Auburn Cox wa a part of the time en-
gagged in reading the New Testament. lie assured
the Marshal that he should go upon the gallows
bic in his hand. His countenance wore an ex-
preston of forced chcerfulness
Athait-past ten o'clock the prisoners visit
ed by Rev. Mr.. Balkan and Rev. Mr. Abbott Of
Lewiston They were then conducted to large
cell where Mr.. Abbott read appropriate selections
OF scripture, to which the prisoners listened with
close attention. prayer felIowed-wheu the
prisoners fell upon their knees The manner and
features of Williams were marked by the most cx-
cited carncstncss and when the prayer was con-
ciuded he resumed his nervous pacing backward
and forward.
As the Court House bell struck eleven, Sheriff
kimbail, accompaniment his deputies and Rev
Messrs. Balkan and Abbott. entered the large
cell where the prisoners were in waiting, and
placing black pointed caps upon their heads con-
Quoted them from the building to the court yard
and thence upon the gallows
'ilIams had no sooner stepped upon the drop
than he fell upon his knees and extending his
hands uttcrct an earnest and hurried PRAYER to
Almighty God, c"nlrssing his crime and the jus
tee of his punishment.
The Sherif then proceeded to read the warrant
and having concluded, inquired Of Cox If he had
anything to- say. Cox Indicated that his rrlig iuus
adviser would my something for him.
Rev. Mr. Balkan then read to the immense as
sembly a short speech. which had been dictated
by Cox. 1t r'counted the l.us,gc which had
driven HIM In crime, and concluded with the ex-
ceive him.
Al ITS conclusion, Williams, Who remained upon
ms knees with hi. bead barred, repeated the fifty
hr't Psalm in IL very earnest and devout manner.
The sheriff then asked him if he had ANYTHING to
say, lie then commenced in rambling and de.
hrien. manner To- address the crowd epnfrs>ns
ms crime a"d SAYING that Cod knew he was
guilty, "" concluded with nm amen.
Inc prisoners then knocied, and prayer was Of
tered Wy Key. Mr.. Bakham II was now half
past o'clock, and the attendants upon the plat
TORN having shaken hands with the doomed men.
Their arms wcrr eishtly pinioncd behind them.
titlauS then uttered few iucuhercut words
after which the black caps were drawn over the
heads OF both. Cox then repeated brief prayer
after Rev. Nj. GalkLam, Asking God 10 receive
his spirit.
The Slipping Moose was then adjusted to the
ncekS "i the eanHicts, and ut twenty five minutes
OF twelve sheriff kimbIi touched the spring con-
neeted with bolts supporting the drep, aud Vii
llams and Cox were launched into eternity. AZ
ter the falling OF the drop there was scarcely II
struggle exhibited by either and in eighteen
minutes ali but the mechanical action Of the
heart and pulses had ctascd. At twelve o'clock
the body II NiililmS was lowered iata a coffin
and immediately that If Cox was also let down,
The physician officially in attendance was Dr.
Tewk>bury oi Portland assisted ,y several other
medical gentleman. After an cxrmju9tl.u Of
the bodies, 1t was decided that Wiliinms
lied Of striuSulation and COX of di,Iocation
oil the second ycltcbrT. Soon after the low
elius uf the bodies tie immense crowd amount
lng 10 about siN Thousand er,a rs, including. many
females, disappeared. ., steu journal.