The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1859-11-14
Particulars Of the Execution of Joseph
w. Thornton IN st. Louis -Extraordi-
nary C0mp0sure Sf the Criminal.

-~-NNSts
nary Composure Sf the Criminal.
The telegraph has already informed us of
the execution, on Friday last, of Joseph W.
Thornton for the murder of Joseph Charless,
in st. louis, who, It will be remembered was
shot on the Sd Of June last by Thornton while
walking on Market-street, between Third and
Fourth. The deed was not committed at
night, nor in an unfrequented part of the
city, but at the hour of nine O'Clock in the
morning, in one of the most crowded thor
oughfares.
His demcanor during confinement was not
that OF one who regretted the commission Of
the act for which he must forfeit his life. He
frequently asserted that he should do the same
thing again under the same circumstances and
with the same opportunity.
During great portion Of Thursday, the day
preceding the execution, the arrival of the Gov
ernor was very anxiousIy looked for by the
friends of tho condemned man, though he him
self expressed no concern in the matter, and
when informed at late hour that nothing had
as yet been done for him, he replied: "I am
prepared for the wornt--I will die like man."
Saturdays Missouri Dsmocra. observes:
Thornton has been considered by some per-
sons, since the murder, man naturally vicious.
But we are quite confident that such has never
been his disposition. Judging from his phre-
biological appearance, we should say be was q
very sensitive man-one who could not, like
some, "sleep off" the idea of resonting real
or supposed injury to his person, and moro
particularly to his character. He was, also,
when not assailed by troubles, Of an intel
lectual turn of mind, and was more inclined to
reading and study than to society and what is
commonly called amusement.
The particulars of the execution are thus
given in that journal: ,.
Preparations for the execution ere COM
menced at twelve O'Clock, by Deputy Marshal
Ewes, who adj asted the rope around the beams,
and put the trap-door Of the scaffold in its
proper position. Every officer connected with
the Jail was besieged with persons asking ques-
tions as to what time it would take place, etc.,
but no very defi6ite answer could be given.
The friends of the condemned seemed anx-
ious, If possible, to exhaust all the time al
lowed by the sentence, in hopes that the Gov
erner would change his mind, as it was un-
derstood that dispatch had been sent to him
in the morning, asking for respite. The
moments were almost counted by the persons
who had assembled inside the jail yard to
crafty their curiosity, until three O'clock,
when the prisoner, supported on each side by
steps from the jail. Immediately behind
him followed the reverened gentlemen who
had ministered SO faithfully to his spiritual
wants during his confinement,
On emerging from the jail, Thornton recog-
nized two or three old acquaintances in the
crowd, who stood eagerly watching his ap-
proach. On seeing them a pleasant smile
appeared upon bis countenance, and giving q
gentle bow of his head, he passed on to the
steps Of the scaffold, which he ascended moro
rapidly and vigorously than did any person
accompanying him. On reaching the top OF
the scaifold he seated himself between the two
clergymen, and looked around him, as If de-
| sirOus Of seeing some ono he knew. The
slightest tremor was not visible In his nova
ments, and his conduct utterly astonished every
person who witnessed IL.
He was asked by the Marshal If he had any
thing to say, and replied in the negative by
shaking his head. He then declared himself
ready, and stood upon box placed upon the
trap-door. The slightest quivering of nerve
could not be detected in him, even now when he
saw the death warrant which Mr.. Cunning
ham held in his hand, and was about to read
to him. This being done, Deputy Marshal
Ewes preceded to cover his face with Ion q
whitecap, while Mr.. Cunningham pinionsd his
arms behind his back with small cord. The
rope being adjusted, all the persons on the
seaffold who had accompanied the prisoner
stood back, While the clergyman read prayers,
after which all was declared ready, and at
fourteen minutes past three o'clock, the mur-
derer of Joseph Charess hung suspended be.
tween heaven and earth. His neck was broken
by the fall, although great many persons
thought life lurked aud fingered in his body
for more than seven minutes otter.
| After hanging sixteen minutes he was pro.
nounced dead, and cut down. Then 1t wal
ascertained, contrary to expectations, that the
neck had been broken by the fall. After the
body had been taken down, the cap was taker
from the face that few moments before was
animated and expressive. Strange to say, MOI
the least distortion had taken place, thu
countenance being perfectly natural, the mouth
and eyes partially open--the latter having 9
very CLASSY appearance.
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