The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-04-09
E X ECUTI0N ~.
OF THE MURDERERS,
GAMBRILL, cROPp, CORRIE AND CYpHUS.
tt RILLING SCENE,
INCIDENTS OF THE OCCASION
LIVES AND ANTECEDENTs OF THE MEN.
CONFESSION OF CROPP.

| the manner OF It's manifestation, than that whic
pervaded our city yesterday. The sth day @
! April will long be remembered in this community
as the day upon which the supremacy of the la1
was vindicated by the execution of four convicte
murderers, three of whom were young men of re
spectacle parentage, but who have been led to com
init the crimes for which they had been condemne
to suffer an ignominious death by giving free rel
to their unbrided passions and through the banefu
influence exerted upon them by evil associates
Friends, powerful and influential in certain quarter
had for weeks persisteny yet vainly sought to NOV
the Governor of the State tox eercse perogativ
which, while it might have been an act of mere,
to the condemned, would have inflicted a most seri
Gus injury upon society. An extension of the tim
originally fixed for the execution of the law wa
twice granted by the Governor, but beyond thi
he firmly declined to interpose. Those days o
grace expired yesterday, and it havin!
become very generally understood that thu
sentence of the Court would be carried int,
effect, a vast concourse of persons, citizen
and strangers, thronged the principal avenues /,
the rising ground overlooking the destined plac,
Of execution. The number of spectators assembled
to witness this tragic spectacle has been roug hi,
estimated at thirty thousand
At five minutes past IL o'clock, the condemned
men, Henry Gambril. Marion Cropp, Peter Corrie
and John Stephens alias Cyphus, suffered the ex
treme penalty of the law for the murder of Ben
lamin denton, Robert NJ. Rigdon, and William
Henry King.
Below we give extended account of the scenes
incidents, and every matter of interest pertaining
to the base career of the unfortunate men and hei
execution:
OUTSIDE VIEW.
Several hours before the time appointed for the
execution, immense throngs of men, women anC
children, were to be seen hurrying to the elevated
positions in the vicinity of the Jail yard, and by
half past ten o'clock the crowd outside was enor
nous, but from the form of the ground around
the walls presenting vast amphteatre OF
which there was no difficulty in obtaining good
points of view for everybody, there was nc
pressure at any point, and as far as we observed
not symptom of disorder. The police were
mixed through the masses but there seemed no oc
casion for their services. We understood that the
number OF spectators was not so much in excess Of
those who have witnessed former executions as
might have been expected from the extraordinary
circumstances attending this occasion. About
one-tourth, perhaps, were females, apparently
of a very low order, who seemed to regard the
proceedings with great indifference until the
last moment, when the agitation of some of them
manifested itself in weeping, which increased to
shrieks and screams when the drop fell We no
tced some persons on the roofs, and at the windows
fronting the gallows of the large houses standing
on the hill side. The whole grounds of Belvdere,
the beautiful seat OF Mr.. McKim were appropriated
Some persons, though not many, climbed up into
the trees on the lawn.
Up to the last moment there seemed to be some
expectation that Gambrill would be reprieyed, and
it was not until the four white caps of the doomed
men were recognized on the scaffod that assur-
ance became general that the whole sentence of the
law would be fulfilled.
1t is difficult to define what was the predominant
feeling OF the vast of persons who looked upon
this awful spectacle. We heard but little talk or
discussion matter Idla
haps the most striking characteristic. The crowd
stared-some rooted to one spot and others moving
about uneasily to gain points of vantage. We heard
one old woman on the street declare that she did
not want to see the poor men hung-"she had seen
four before.'
Some OF the common, and yet let US trust whole
some, morality of Justice being sure to oyertake
crime, and blood always in the end atoning for
blood, was uttered, and we heard general commen-
daton OF the nerve displayed by Governor Hicks
in the face of the tremendous and persistent efforts
made by those who ought to have known better to
shake his avowed determination
At one point OF view nothing could be seen but
the platform of the scaffold. The men could not
from the white. They appeared on the steps in
pairs, each probably with his spiritual adviser
Some little time was spent in necessary adius tment
Gestures were made by one on the scaffod as if of
warning, and finally the lifted hats proclaimed the
offering of prayer. Then, for the first time four
white caps showed that all the victims of the law
were ready for the sacrifice.
THE CROWD INSIDE.
About nine o'clock those persons who had tick
cts OF admission to the Jail and yard commenced
entering. They were requested, by the officers of
the Jail, to pass through the hall of the building
and to remain on the east side, where the gallows
was erected. There were about three hundred per-
sons thus admitted which a smaller number
than it was anticipated would avail themselves of
the privilege, the Board of Visitors to the Jail
had issued 500 tickets. The very best order pre-,
vailed, and what conversation took place was in
subdued tone of voice.
All those who were present seemed impressed
with the solemnty of the occasion, and filled with
sorrow that causes should exist which demanded so
stern sacrifice of life. A strong police force was
in attendance under Marshal Herring but with the
exception of keeping the crowd from the enclosure
around the gallows the force had no need to exer-
else its office.
THE GALLoWs.
The gallows was constructed in the most sub
stantlal manner, of massive pine timbers. The
frame consisted of four upright pieces, braced bv
horizontal beams firmly fastened together by NOR
tising. Between two of these uprights arose two
other perpendicular timbers ten feet higher than
the platform. They were girded by a stout rafter,
which passed entirely across from one upright to
the other, and through which oblong mortise holes
were cut for the passage of the ropes. The ropes
were very strong and large, being about Is of an
inch in diameter. These were passed through the
mortsed holes above stated, and passing length
wise the transverse beam hung down in a loose
at both ends of the structure.
The entire structure is about 80 feet in height,
being not less than 10 feet above the top of the
north wall and about 80 feet from it. By this ar
rangement, the crowds of the spectators on the
outside were enabled to get very good view of the
execution from the house-tops, hills, and other
eminences in the vicinity. heavy wooden rail
ing surrounded the platform, which was ascended
by long flight of steps with bannisters on both
sides, and instead of being divided in the middle
and caused to fall towards both ends of the frame
as was common in former days, that upon
which the prisoners were hung this morning was so
that by a slight jerk the trigger at
the back of the gallows was displaced and the en-
tire trap fell towards the front. In falling it came
in contact with twisted rope-spring which served
to prevent the crashing noise generally ensuing in
the gallows being shaken BY the vbratory motion
OF the trap when it first falls down.
HENRY GAMBRILL.
Up to late hour at night Henry Gambrill suffered
very much from prostratOn, but his spiritual advisers
remained with him and counselled him to rely upon
God as the only help in his severe need. He re-
tired and seemed to sleep well, arising six o'clock
this morning. With the morning he exhibited more
tirmness. and at eight o'clock, when Rev. Mr..
Hodges entered, Gambrill received him with a SMILE
lie said he felt much better and his nerves were
much stronger. There was, however, in his coun-
tenance the settled calmness of despair. Gambrill
made statement to two of bis personal friends, in
which he stated that he was innocent, having known
perpetrated. That he did not fire the pistol and
was not present.
At 20 minutes of II o'clock Sheriff Creamer en-
tered the cell, Deputy Daneker being already
there. The Rev. Mr. Hodges was with him, to-
gether with Mr.. Brooks, the private guard, when
we entered. The Sheriff informed Gambrill he
came to make his final preparation. Gambrill, who
was on his knees arose quickly and put on his coat
without aid.
He looked pale, yet very calm, and stood with
He said to the Sherff-"Sheriff, this is one inno-
cent man you take out of the world"
The Sheriff replied that he regretted it was his
stern duty to perform it.
Gambrill remarked-'I die innocent of the mur-
der, or of having any connection with it. | die in
nocent Gods will is my will"
He was dressed neatly in black. Deputy Dam
eker told him to trust in the Lord He said he was
sustained by the grace of God.
friend Rev. Mr.. French asked him how he
felt. He said she was prepared to die-that he did
not commit the act. nor had any knowledge of it in
any shape or FORM No knowledge of any arrange
ment to take the life of any one'
The preparations were made in few minutes
and the Rev. Mr.. French whispered words of con-
ISOLATION in his ear cap placed over the
white cap to pull over the eyes, so as nearly to
hide it as he walked out.
Whilst awaiting the leaving of the cell, he stood
up firm. The Reys. Messrs. Hedges and French
buoyed him up with the consolation his position re-
CURED. By request of those with him he sat down
in a rocking chair short time.
Although nerving himself for the dread moment,
his face betokened the woe of despair.
Mr.. Hodges sat beside him, and talked to him in
low whispers. He closed his eyes and listened
intently.
The Sheriff asked him if he had any objection to
wearing shawl-it was damp and chilly out and
he had put it on the others. Gambrill replied that
he had no objections, and dark shawl was placed
over him.
He remarked IL made no dffarenee how cool tho