Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-11-18
Execution of Rodgers.

ton, was executed on Friday last, in New
York. He was twenty years OF age, and born
in Ireland.
In company with Rodgers ON the fatal night,
were two other lads. They were well known
to the police of the 10th precinct as loungers
about the corners, and for years had been fire.
quenters of the notorious dens in l7th street
and neighborhood 1t is said that one of these
boys had attempted a robbery that same eve
ming, and drawn either a knife or a revolver
upon another individual who was going home
in company with his wife.
1t was in 18th street, near 9Th avenue, that
Rodgers met his two companions, on the eve
ming of the 18th Of October. They walked
together for some time, stopping repeatedly at
the saloons to drink. Rum soon made the
youthful murderer reckless. Passing a fruit
stand he demanded an apple of the boy in
charge, and upon his refusal, assaulted him
with a drawn knife. The boy escaped into a
store close at hand.
The deceased, John SwaDston, had gone out
with his wife to do some marketing for Sun
day, when they met Rodgers and his party
Rodgers carried his arms a-kimbo, so that one
elbow hit Swanston violently as he went by
him. The deceased resented the indignity,
swinging his arms and berating him in severe
terms. The young men turned back and at
tackled him, one of them with a drawn knife.
Swanston cried "mnrder," and attempted to
ward Of the blows, but without success. He
received a wound in the side, and fell to the
ground. The shrieks of his wife alarmed the
neighborhood; a crowd gathered at the spot,
but it was too late The unfortunate man
was breathing his last, and the assailants had
escaped.
Rodgers was subsequently arrested, tried
and convicted. Attempts were made to get
the Governor to pardon him on account of his
youth, but the Governor refused all %solicita-
lions of that kind. His family visited him on
Thursday. 1t seems to have been his rule to
spend some time in prayer every hour of the
night. About a week since, by way of pen
ance, he had caused the bedding to be removed
from his cell, and slept upon the bare boards
He is said to have taken only one meal a day
for several weeks. AS his friends took their
leave Rodgers was much affected, and was
seized with a fit of trembling. This soon pass
ed over, and he evinced all the time afterwards
the utmost fortitude.
On Friday morning, at 8 o'clock, he was
conducted to the chapel Of the prison, where
mass was celebrated. He was then confessed
and received the final shrift. His two sisters,
brothers and brother-in-law were present, and
were deeply affected.
At nine o'clock they took their last fare
well, kissing him, embracing and weeping Bit
terly. The condemned youth displayed the
most fortitude of them all.
A great crowd assembled outside of the
prioOn md xho 1a1rnc 80 4ha 1aSchkouhAA1
from which only a view could be had, were
crowded with spectators.
Rodgers was dressed in a plain suit, without
coat or vest. On his neck was the fatal moose,
and a yellow cross adorned bis breast. His
face was pale, and its expression, together
with his long hair, gave him a very girlish APP
perance. He knelt beneath the fatal beam,
and DR.. Milligan proceeded to read the pray
ers, The condemned youth prayed silently all
the time, kissing the cruciix which he held in
his hands. The Sheriff now approached him,
and spoke in a low tone, to which he replied
in an audible voice. That officer stepped
backward, and the ~hangman began his Office.
Officer Simpson speedily attached the moose
to the rope which dangled above the prisoners
head. No sign of hinching appeared, except
a slight tremor, evidently produced by the chill
illness of the air. He stood facing the south
ward as the black cap was pulled over his face.
At thirty-eight minutes past eleven the sig
nal was given the heavy sound of the hatchet
was heard, and the prisoner was dangling III
the air about three feet from the ground. The
death of Rodgers was not severe. The knot
came in contact with the nape of the neck,
midway between the ears For several mir
utes the body swayed to and fro, and then all
became still. AT forty-two minutes past elev-
en- pulsation was still perceptible at the wrist,
but had ceased entirely two minutes after.
wards.
After hanging thirty-fve minutes, the body
was cut down and taken INTO the apartment at
the rear OF the enclosed court of the prison.
The physicians and Sherif7s jury, after
proper examination, gave the proper certif-
cate, after which the father and brothers COM
ing in, Sheriff Willet addressed them, II now
deliver to you the body of your son and broth
err" The old man groaned and wept aloud,
the head Of the corpse and moving it
to and fro. The spectators withdrew, and the
was placed in a coffin. A hearse wait
ing in the court received the coffin and bore
it away.