New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-02-04
EXECUTION OF JAMES STEPHENS.


At an early hour on Friday morning the Tombs was
surrounded BY crowds Of spectators who hoped TO OBJ
tain sight of the execution which was about to take
place inside. large force Of policemen was stationed
at the entrance and across Franklin street. to preserve
order and keep the crowd back from the gates, III It
those who had tickets of admission might have free in
prets. Among thote inside were several Aims HOUSE
Governors Police Magistrates, General superintendent
Of Police, numerous reporters, and special Deputy
Shsrifs. Stephens tendedn his cell all the m 'rn
ing by the Rev. Mr. Knapp, Mr. SkiOner, and one or
two other PERSONS and passed most Of the morning 10
PRAYER and religious exercises. Dir. Knapp stayed
with him the greater part Of Thursday Dght, and says
that Stephens Seemed to have "found peace through
the mercy of God" and never appeared happier than
during the last few hours Of his life.
He has slept but little for two days and nights, but
has spent his time in reading his Bible praying, sing
ing and in animated conversations with the clergy
men, He took but little food during the previous day,
and ate scarcely anything Friday morning. At bali
past nine o'clock he issued from his cell and moved to
ward the gallows in the rear yard Approaching the
place of execution the procession passed through two
squads of policemen who were guarding the entrance
and passing the gate, advanced TO the galows. The
procession was headed by Police Justices Connolly aud
Steers, followed by Sheriff Kelly and Mr.. Vutee, his
deputy. Next came Stephens, walking between the
Rev. Mr.. Knapp and Mr.. Skinner. The prisoner had
black cloak thrown over bis shoulders, and the black
cap upon bis head. As he approached the gaows, he
walked with firm tread, cast his eyes upon the rope,
glanced to the BEAM and appeared perfectly calm
and collected. His long confinement had banched nj,
cheek considerably and his skin was Of that alnos,
transparent whiteness peculiar TO prisoners who have
long been incarcerated in solitary cells.
Having arrived directly beneath the fatal MOOSE Mr..
Kelly said:
Stephens, it becomes my duty TO execute the laws
sentence upon You. Have you anything TO say before
the performance of this duty 2"
In tone Of voice audible but to three four per-
sons who stood in his immediate vicinity the con.
demned man said:
"I stand here as a sinner, but through the blood Of
Christ | am saved. don't stand upon any merit of
my own, but the merit of the Redeemer, who died
for me. My kind spiritual advisers there pointing
to Messrs. Knapp, Camp, and Skinner, will tell you
al have TO say They know the TRUTH and II is need
less for me- a dying man, to speak augh but that 1
have strong and abiding faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ, wi ell Ter ALL and hoIe to be ssved by
the blood He shed for poor sinners. feel prepared
TO de-"
Sherif-Have you no more 10 Say
Stephens-No, no; nothing more.
THE Rev. Mr.. Knapp then said, in accordance with
StepheDss previously expressed wish, in imporng
voice. Stephens, for Gods sake, if you have word
to say cay it now. IfyOu guilty, confess III your
salvation depends upon it.
Stephens-I am innocent. Redeemer, save me.
Then, addressing Mr.. Kelly, he said, " Be quick
ba ouick Mr. Kelly then with the aassf-
anee of Mr.. Isaacs, placed the rope about the neck
of the condemned man. took of his cloak, and pulled
the cap over his eyes During these preliminary op-
eratoDs Stephens stood with his tied behind him.
muttering an almost inau iible prayer for mercy.
The Sheriff gave the signal to the executioner, the
weights loosened from their fastenings, and rs
the rope frightened about the cuprits neck the prayer
full expression Lord Jesus was heard to issue from
his bps, and then at just 81 minutes before 10
O'Clock the body slowly several feet in the air.
For about three minutes the struggles of the dying
man were severe. His tightly -clenched hands strained
every cord of the arm and his hard breathing was
frightul TO listen to. After hanging three minutes
these struggles ceased and were followed by a few
conyulsige twitchngs which occurred at intervals for
five mil utes longer when al motion ceased and Ste
phens was dead
AT the end Of fifteen minutes, the body was partially
lowered when two physicians felt of the puse in the
wrist, but throb could be discovered. The clothes
covering the breast Of the dead then opened and
the doctor placed his hand above the heart bat signs
of life remained. The body LEFT suspended till the
piraton Of forty minutes when it was 10 wered and
taken into adjoining room. The cap being removed
from the face that but little disoooration Of
features had occurred except about the neck, where
The rope had drawn.
Alter the body had been officially viewed by the
Sheriff and the attending physicians, it formally
delivered TO four gentlemen who had been deputed by
The friends Of deceased TO receive 1t. The Sheriff and
bis deputies then retired TO an Office in the Tombs
md the crowd LEFT the prison and gradually dispersed
The arrangements for the execution had been most
srefuly made and all the details attended 10 by the
sheriff IN peueu. The selection Of the mn whose
luy Il wss 10 spi the rope, and thus ,udieny loose