The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-09-08
[From the Wheeling Argus of Friday.
The Execution of Burns.

In accordance with the sentence pro-
nounced by Judge Thompson the Circuit
Court, John Burns was put to death bv
hanging to day. At eight o'clock in the
morning the German Rife Company re-
paired to the place of execution for the
purpose of guarding the gallows from the
intrusion of spectators. BY ten O'Clock,
all the preliminaries were completed, and
the gallows put in READINGS to execute its
dreadful work.
At eleven, the coach which was to convey
the victim to the place of execution, was
driven up to the door of the Jail and the
convict was placed in it as soon as it could
be conveniently done. About fifteen min
utes after eleven, the funeral cortege was in
readiness to move. 1t was guarded by
the Fercibles. A platoon was thrown
before and behind the coach and flank
on each side Of it.
The cortege having halted, the prisoner
with the attendants alighted and he ascend
ed the gallows supported by sheriff Irving
and Jailor Smith, and was seated upon q
chair on the fall. His appearance was
one of extreme despair In walking his
legs gave way under him to such an extent
that he could not have proceeded without
assistance. For q few moments he sat
and viewed the assemblage in manner
that was inexpressibly solemn-as though
he thought it tstrange that he should have
so many human faces to look upon in his
expiring moments. When asked whether
he had any request to make, he replied
he would like that tune should be play
ed.
The Rev. PAUL read the first chapter
from the Apostle John and accompanied
the reading with remarks appropriate to
the occasion. Rev Perkins then remind
ed him of the manner in which he had
spent the last night in preparation for the
awful fate that was awasting him. That
he was now about to realize. all that he
had been anticipating and that as the thiei
upon the cross had obtained mercy from
the Savior, so might he now receive pardon
for his transgressions if he put his trust in
the Redeemer, ...
Mr.. Perkins having concluded his ex-
ortation offered up solemn and impress
sive prayer for the unfortunate man. Du.
ring the whole of the religious exercises
Burns seemed deeply impressed with the
solemnity of the occasion and shed tears
of repentance.
| After the devotional exercise were CON-
pleted he said he did not care for the mu-
sic he had before requested. He was ask
ed if he had anything to say before he
died, to which he responded in the mega
tive. Sheriff Irwin then adjusted the rope
to his neck, attached to the beam. Jail
or Smith put the cap over his face, and in
in an instant after the Sheriff touched the
spring, which sustained the fall, and the
lpoor man with the quickness of thought
was launched into eternity.
He was suspended about twelve min
utes, when the physicians, Drs. Bates and
Cummins proceeded to examine whether
life was extinct. When they were about
to examine whether he was dead, the knot
slipped and the body fell to the ground.
After minute examination he was pro-
nounced dead, and the corpse was imme-
diately placed in the coffin.
Thus ended the life of Burns. The
ways of the wicked are hard, and retribu.
tion will inevitably be visited upon them.
He made no confession other than that
which has been published, and with which
our readers are already familiar.
1
The number of persons who witnessed
the execution was estimated at from eight
to ten thousand There were certainly
more than we have ever seen on one occa-
sion in this city before.