New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-07-14
THE EXECUTION OF HICKS.

1t may be that the facility with which murders can
be committed the land the security thrown
about the m by the municipal authorities have driven
the from the ses. II is ain, however, that the
pate al Government If the United States has not often
opportunity Of gratifying lie children and OF incui-
eating great moral lesson BY the spectacle Of pnblc
execution-a Grand Gala Hanging az it would have
been announced by an enteIpising Snowman. Twenty
nine years ago, Gibbs and Wansley, two pirates,
whose adventures and crimes, narrated n the Pirates
Own Book, have furnished much improving mental
food, were hanged Oh Elise, or Gibbet Island in our
bsrbor. The papers Of the time contain accounts OF
this execution from which it apIears that, then as
now not few people took advantage Of the spectacle
to indulge in part al holiday for we read that the
leland was much crowded from O'Clock tllthe exeeu-
ton took place. and the bay presented very animated
spectacle" few years later, Davis aud Wilhelm
were hanged the Irapd and these are believed
to have been the latest public executions before tho
present time. Twenty years have wrought 80 many
changes in the audience which then assembled, and
have 90 far eactd the good effect Of the seems that
WAS perhaps well 10 renew the Lesson by hang ng up
Hicks on the most conspicuous aud accessible spot OF
land belonging to the Government.
In juetice to the people, it should be said that they
showeda praeworhy alacrity in taking advantage OF
their privileges For days previous to the execution
steamboat excursions were advertised of the an
nouncements really being gems in their way. For an
instance, let the (, lowing suffice:
Ho FOR THE ExEcUTIos.-The beautiful and COM
modions steamboat CHICoPEH viii leave this city FRIDAY
& 81 1s ns Rs Sssno John a se
boat lie the island until the ceremonies are over THIS
TO New the ext. Of enc Of the stroou. Of
ther profession The Chcopee will aerwrd run up the Soita
Eastern. Refreshments on board
Other steamers were not explicit aud crcumstan-
tial in their advertisements. They mOdestly an
nounced excursions in the bay, delicstcly mining ut
the nature of the neral refreshments to be furnished
on board One of them offered most attractive pro-
gramme; she was to visit the scene of the execution
was to enjoy isy's fishing and finally Was to meet
John C. Heenan in token of welcome as he returned
to his country in the Vanderbilt. So it seemed rea-
sonabe to expect that many pupils would learn the
lesson taught by the hanging.
AT o'clock yesterday morning large number Of
invited spectators assembled beard tho steamer Red
Jacket, lying az the Collins Dock. Amongthose whose
official duties called them to the place were Marshal
Rynders Deputy Marshals Joseph Thompson and L..
DAngelis, Sheriff Kelly Mr.. Sutton, the Wa den Of
the City Prison. Father Dursnquet, Deputy Superin-
tendent Carpenter u. S. Commissioner Stillwel, Coro-
per O'Keefe, Drs. Coyill, Woodward, and Simmons,
and large BODY reporters and special United States
deputies In addition to these, there were nearly
thousand men well known about town, and particu-
Jarly in the vicinity of the City Hail. men who are
always seen at public festivals and merrymakings OF
every kind who scent from afsr anything the nature
Of free excursion with accuracy that never goes
astray.
81 - bod 1r,pL ood O fahia niad
high with sandwiches early commenced thriving
business which continued with little inermisSon.
This was feature quite like the old alehouse the
road to Tyburn, where TIE doomed Englishman for
merly paused and quaaed his last drink. 1t may have
been necessary add to the improving nature of the
spectacle by this display of meat and drink board
the boat which bore man to the galows, but as
matter of taste ts introduction hardly gratifying
At 81 o'clock, Hicks was brought from the Tombs.
Those whore occupations or engagements prevented
them from enjoy ing the facilities offered for viewing
the final spectacle had the limited privilege of standing
long time in the sun about the City Prison, and of
catching passing glimpse Of the murderer as no went
to his DEATH The curtains Of the carriage in which he
rode were however, closely drawn, and the crowd,
W tho had sacrificed much time and personal COM
fort, felt that wrong had been done them.
f1CBB WAS uTttetu III uh hiohPOhnN' o"'' VI ''e"
CLOTH plain, with the exception of anchors embroidered
in white on the collar His hands fastened before
him. Being taken on board, he was led through the
after saloon to the cabin below, where he remained
most of tie time during the trip converting in low
tones with his religious advisers. His manner was
calm and he apparently without feeliDgi he GER
tainly showed no emotion and occasionally came up
the stairs and advanced step two into the saloon,
=. H. xvtah
with regard to his execution except that it should be
conducted rapidly az possible He wished no one to
.peak with him there or at the galows, except the
confessor who accompanied him, and he was under
stood to say that the last he desired TO be left quite
alone.
The Red jacket remained sometime at the dock,
waiting till the tide should be favorable to landing at
Bedloe's Islsnd, where the execution to take
place Meanwhile, the crowd ate, drank, AT made
merry-with merriment slightly subdued, perhaps,
but not repressed At last the boat started and took
pleasure trip up the river for distance, 81 wing
to all who chose to look an excellent view OF the
Great Eastern. When sufficient recreation had been
thus afforded, her head turned, and she went
directly to the leland which was reached at ii o'clock
Having moored to the wharf, Msrshal Ryuders ad-
dressed those in the saloon and requested all TO leave
it, excep. the physicians the reporters ana his OH
cials This was done, and the whole number on
board with the exceptions named at once passed from
the boat and marched four abreast up the bill to the
rear of the gallows preceded by squad Of The city
police procession was then formed on board in the
following order, the military arrangements being
under the direction Of Msjo, john D. Hall: platoon
of the military; the prisoner walking between Mar.
shal Rynders and Sheriff Kelly on the one side, and
his confsssors On the other the physicsas-Drs Geo.
+. Woodward Covil, Thorn ,son, A. G. Bell, Phelp',