Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1858-11-26

ExEcuTEoS oe YotSG RoDGERs-A Les
son FOR YoUTHFub RowDIEs.--The youth
James Rodgers who WAS hung in New
fork on Friday last, was in the 2oth year of
his age only. His ignominious doom, in the
very spring time of life, should be a solemn
warning to the fast and recklss youths ev-
erywhere. The following are the circum-
stances under which the murder was per-
petrated, and they but describe scenes and
acts too often, unfortunately. witnessed in
various sections of the Country. We copy
from the N. Y. Post:
In company with Rodgers on the fatal
nigh, wers two other lads Daniel Cunning
ham and Stephen Mckinney. Tney were
well known 10 The police OF the sixteenth
precinct as loungers abou, the corners. and
for years had been freqnenters Of the noto-
rious dens in Seventeenth ST.
IL was in Seventeenth street, near Eighth
avenue, that Rodgers met his two cotnpdn-
ions on the evening of the seventeenth o.
October. They walked together fer some
time. stopping repeatedly at the saloons 10
drink. Rum soon made the young murder
or reckless. As they came out one OF them,
seeing a person go by whom he thought he
recognized, exclaimed; "Thcre goes 8 man
that l want TO whip and fastened forward
His companions kept pace with him "a he
WENT It was now about 10 O'Clock at night
The deceased. John Swanston, residing Al
! No. $40 West Tweny-sevenih street, had
gone out with his vile 10 do some market
ing for Sunday, and the two were on their
way homeward. They were but a lew Steps
from The corner of T~enty-irst street. wher
three young men overlook them. Rodger.
carried hi. arms a-kinibo, so-thnt one elbow
hit SWANSON vioie atty as he went by him
The deceased resented The indigni'y, swing
ing his arms and beraiing him in severe
terms. The young men turned back nnt
attacked him, one % them with i drawn
knife. Swanston cried Murder" and at
tempted to ward off the blows. but without
success. He received u wound in the side
and fell 10 The ground. The ehrieks of hi
wife alarmed. the neigbborhood; q crow
gathered al the spot, hut il was too late.-
The unforl1nate mau was breathing mis- las
and The assaiiants had escaped.
;. Rodgers wus subsequently arrested aut
!, it having been proven that he inflicted tn
fatal stab, ne was convicted and sentence
to be hung. Eve ~ effort, in conse
| quenee o. his youth, was made 10 Undue
/ the governor to interfere without avail
Even Mrs. kirkland the authorizes, on be
halt OF his mother and sisters ia,pIored til
governor up 90 the last moment, 10 save hi
: life, but he asinexorable.
On the gailowa Rodgers was dressed in
2 plain suit, without coat or vest. On hi
E. neck was tie fatal moose, and a yellow eros
adorned his breast. His face was pale, an
g lis expression together with his long h a
ii gave him a very girilsh appearance. II
knelt beneath The fatal beam, and the moth
err and family Of the deceased during the e.
~ecution were sitting in a private room of Ii
d prison, were then sent for and the remain
3 gwen to them. The mother was npparen
d ly very weak, and was supported by hertw
eldest sons. She approached the cof
muttering ooh I" Hoh!!' in the tones of bite
est anguish, and threw herself on the cof1i
kissing The face of the corpse with tende
est affection. She remained leaning ov
d the coffin, kissing the corpse, moaning pit
8 eUsiv, and shedding tears coPiously for son
: minutes. Her two daughters and sons al
d cried aud sobbed most piteousIy and kiss
the lips of the corpse. Rodgers faith
n walked up and dow the apartment wrin
ing his hands.