The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-07-20
EXECUTION OF HICKS, THE
MURDERER.
HIS CONFESSION, &c.

NEw YoRx, July l3.-The sloop E. a..
johnson, on which the murders ut Capt.
Burr and sons were pcrpetated by Hicks,
was anchored but short distance from the
callows upon which the murdereS was hung
to-day. and in full view Of the culprit. IL
had a large Hag with her name upon 1t, and
n sailor at the mast-head waved his hat and
cheercd Us Hicks ascendcd the gallows.
Hundreds of the Battery Ruthans were in
boats, swearing and shouting hang the
thief" " string him up" &c. The Red
Jacket, which carried Hicks and his atten-
dants 10 Bedloe's Island, presented singu-
lar spectacle. Rum was sold openly ON deck
while the priests were praying with the muir
derer below Excursion steamers were
crowded with spectators OF the scene' ana
the Battery was crammed with people anx-
ious to see Hicks hung. Ii is estimated that
there were fully 10000 people in the Bay
and ON the Battery, comprising nearly all
the worst classes Of society. Hicks died
easy.
Hicks had been engaged, at times, Tor
some weeks past, in making !" confession
of his many crimes. They have been taken
down by person officially employed Tor the
purpose. We make extracts from 1t -
~ can stand il no longer. had hoped
that should carry the secrets OF my life
with me To my grave. | never thought
should sit here in my cell crying like baby
over the remembrance Of the Past, or that
nv heart would finch at nesting any fate in
store for me.
~ fancied bore a charmed life, and that
having heretofore escaped ~ many dangers,
should find some loop-bole through which
to creep now, or that something would turn
up In my favor which would aid to my os-
cape frum the mesh into which had fallen.
Il have long felt us though l were the
DEVILS own, and that though he had served
me so many years, must ut last be his; yet
| Imagined he would not claim me yet, but
allow me 10 do his work for time longer.
lie has stood by me all my life, on ship and
ON shore, amid the bowling storms of the
ocean, where every moment the waves threat
cned 20 engulf me he has snatched me from
their deadly embrace on the battlefield, in
many hand-to-hand fight; he has seemed
to stand by my side protecting me from dan,
ger and when have been in the hands oil
nv enemies, and escape has appeared imPos,,
siblc. he has, until now, invariably opened
the way for nv release. But at last he has
deserted me in vain call upon him, he will
not answer mo and dare not call ON God
for what pity should he show guilty wretch
like me?
"for years conscience has slumbercd !
have no, heard her voice at all. No deed oil
desperation has seemed 10 INC too desperate
no crime has seemed too dark Or bloody. My
soul seemed dead to all rcmorse of dread, and
fear has been feeling which, until now, l
have never known.
"But in this lonely cell, away from all the
excitements which have always been the sun.
port Of my restless nature-within thcss sol.
emn walls, where see none but tho-e who
guard me, or those who come to look a, me,
Us upon some wild beast; here, where no
sounds fall upon my ear but the footsteps Of
the keeper, as he PAGES with measured tread
the long corridor outside, or harsh, discord
ant clack Of heavy doors slamming, or th'
grating Of bolts and the crcaking Of binge'
l-consciencc, % long dead, has ut last awak
ened, and now stings me with anguish, anc
6lls my soul with dread and horror.
al look back upon my way OF life, ant
see the path marked with blood and crime
and in the still midnight, If l sleep, L &C,
the dreadful scenes anew. Again l imbrus