The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1858-09-08

| IuteIest tur the execution, some sought shelter
from the sun rays under umbrellas. There
were rs many who manifested q desire 10 get
distant view Of the scene as there were eager
onesto be near the scafIold. up near the broNs
OF either hill we're large numbers Of women and
children, and 10 several places we noticed them
filed off upon fallen trees like turtles. Over
on the opposite side ofthc Ohio river, upon the
banks and upon the hill side beyond snd upon
the houSetopS, so ar eff as to be'scarcely dis
cernible, were large numbers of timid persons
who desire no closer view Of the horrible scene.
The number Of persons present is estimated at
between ten and twelve thousand.
THE EXECUTION.
| About half past eleven the condemned, sup
ported by Sheriff Irwin, Deputy Sights and Ja-
lor Smith, appeared within the lines and i'm
mediately assembled the scatiold. He was pale
and haggard from recent loss ofblood 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 up
on his face. He was seated upon chair, with
his face to the North, when Sheriff Irwin ap-
preached and inquired kindly ifhe had nything
to say TO the people. 81 have nothing to say.'
he replied, in voice scarcely aud lble and some-
what rremulous. The unfortunate man wore n
look expressive not of grief nor sorrow, but ola
| forced resignation to his fate. lie seemed to
have real alzod1;s fearful punishment and neryed
himself to meet his dreadful doom. He remar-
ked to his attendants in the omnibus that he did
not feel certainty as to his future condition in
tho world to come, but that he hoped for saliva
ton. lie said he did not lear eea'h-that he
was ready TO expiate his scntence-that he felt
sorry for his friends and relatives and prayed
for them.
On the scafIuld, after The condemned had ia
ken his seat on the trap door, the Rev. Mr.. Paul
commenced and repeated to him passages from
the 1st chap. of John commencing, "1n the
beginning was the word" &c.--also passages
from the 3D. chapter, such as
whatsoever believeth in Him should not per-
ish, but have eternal hfe."
After these passages had been repeated, Mr..
Perkins and all on the scaffold knelt in prayer.
On arising Mr.. Perkins earanestIy exhorted
Burns to keep his mind upon the things of Hea-
ven. He quoted to him the passages concer-
ming the thief upon the cross-how that he like
him (Burns) was in the act of expiating an Of
fence against human law. He (the thief had
faith and believed and repented in that last hour
and for that it was said to him this dsy shalt
thou be with me in Prradise" So may it with
you John, continued Mr. Perkins. Cast your
self upon his mercy, &c.
During the prayer of the Rev. Perkins,
Burns knelt with his face upon chair which
had been placed for him. We thought we saw
a tear trickle upon the seat and all the misery
ofa misspent life seemed to be crowded into one
moment This outburSt of feeling gave way
when he again rose to his feet and his counte-
nance assumed that look Of stern resignation
which characterized him throughout the whole
ofthc dreadful scene.
The moose was arranged about the neck of
the condemned and attached to the beam above
His face was turned towards the south and We
saw his lips move rs il in prayer Revs. Paul
and Perkins and Jaior Smith shook him by the
hand and babe him farewell Sheriff Irwin
also shook him by the hand with God bless
you and turued away much affected. Before
the people were aware Oft the bolt was pulled
up the door fell and John Burns, clothed in the
habilment of the grave, hung struggling in the
agonies OF death before an eager, discordant null
titude Of ten thousand. Thousands turned
away from the fearful scene, and an awiul 81
ence prevailed. The body hung about ten mi
nutes, and when the attendant physicians ap-
preached to see if Ii le was extinct, the knot
slipped and the body fell heavily to the ground
beneath the scalfold. An examination then
discovered the fact that tie vital spark had de-
parted, and the body was given in charge OF
the nndertakers, who placed it in coffin and
conveyed it by hearse to the residence of the
deccascd's father on Market street, followed by
a large number ofpersons.
THE FATHER or BURNs.-At the residence Of
the father the people crowded up and interfered
with the passage Of the coffin. The poor old
man was sitting upon shed in front of the
house looking wildly about him seeming utterly
unconscious ofwhat had taken place. Sudden
ly he arose from his seat and in opposition to
the efforts Of woman to detain him, stumbling
ly approaceed the edge of the shed and exclam-
ed ,- s
People 60 home. There is not much room
for you here and wonld be much obliged to
you you would so along home.
The crowd moved off in compliance with this
request.
The body will be inferred in the village of
Martinsvlle, by the side ofhis mother, on Sun
day. ..