The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-07-14
NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, y
T, JULY IA, lS6O.-TRIPLE SHEET.

mistaken in the person On the following Monday Hicks
transferred 70 the custody OF United States Mar "a
Rynders and committed for examination The trial CA
menced on Monday, the 18th OF May before the III
Judge Smalley, at the United States Circuit Court
prosecution showed that the prisoner, Hicks Was the
who had been 10 leave the soop the morning
when was discovered in her dsmantied condition
The watch found upon him, aud which was identified as
the property Of Captain Burr was offered in evidence as
the crew. The trial was concluded on the hnh
day, and on the following day, saturday, a
ssSssaueusy say mo,Sn for new trial S wss
argued and denied and after further objections
rated on the score Of the Judges authority was
sentenced 70 be banged Of the Islands In the bay
on Friday, July IL.
HIS CONFESSION.
Soon after his sentence and while confined in the
Tombe he made confession 10 of the attaches Of the
prison, Of which the following is the substance''The
affair occurred said Hicks, abou half past nine ten
O'Clock night while Captain Burr and Of the Watts
boys asleep in the cabin. was steering At the
time, and the other Watts the lookout at the
bows Suddenly the devil took possession Of me, and
determined 10 murder the captain and that very
night Creeping forward softly, stole upon the boy
At the bows, and with one blow knocked him sense
less believe he died in few minutes after struck
him. The noise attracted the attention Of the other
Watts, who jumped out Of bed, and up the com
pAnion way 70 see what the matter just At that mo
nent struck him heavy blow on the head with the
and soon be was dead Then went down in search
the captain, and upon going into the cabin We mme
diately came in conuict. Captain Burr, who
strong, abiebodied man. fought hard with for
rai minutes but at last brought him down. and he too
was dead After riding the captains money bags
] commenced TO throw the bodies board. Tley had
been dead about hour at this time snd sank into tn
sea the minute threw them over the rail- The knit
marks found the gunwale Of the soop were no; mad
by me. j mad occasion tn make them the men had
all been dead an hour and could not have chung TO the
rail- as was supposed. should think were about nfty
miles the time that probable tina;
/
on board the soop the devil was always by my side and
sustained me, but since have been locked up here he
has deserted me, and feel bad"
TIE cuLrRlrs CONDUCT IN PRISON.
On the serroon Of the arrival Of the Great Eastern nj
this port Kicks contemplated desperate deed Call
ing Mr. fiuhy Zone the keopcrs) his cell door, he
snxiousy inquired If he bad knife about him. The
keeper who had always watched the prisoners
mcnts with suspicion asked Hicks what he wanted the
weapon for Hicks replied that he wanted it Ia cut OF
lock Of his hair tor his wife. and seemed exceedingly DO
ircus that the keeper would procure hin sharp sknc
possible. FINLEY declined furnishing the cuprt the
weapon, for fear he would commit suicide, murder
come one Which Hicks showed evident signs OF chsgrn
quite freely with Finley; confessed him that he he'd
committed IN. murder beard the oyster slocp and
said it would surprise the pahic IL they only
knew Of bali ,l,e mard- re he bad committed.
st the same time that be admitted his guilt,
he claimed thai he had been unfairly tried snJ cteJ
He denied the jurisdiction vf the New York court in tue
matter, sai that Rhode Island would have the
proper place for the trial Ever since his conviction he
manifested little desire TO converse upon the subject Of
the murds aud Foe whole days he would remao shut
up in bis cell and refuse to ak with the keepers or
visitors.
THE DAY BEFORE THE EXECUTION.
High Mass celebrated In the cell Of the condemned
Thursday morning, Father Duranquct officiating.
The Sisters Of Mercy also presen during the day
and III firing Ia their attentions TO the calprit
Abcu, O'Clock in the evening Mrs Hicks her las,
t.r inf ha Of
ana the clergy. The sccne described by those who
witnessed H. was entirely devoid o. interest," the par,
ing between tie culprit and his wife being quite
common place. and characterized by much feeling
either side. II like parting for few days
than for iise and certainly neither Hicks nor his wife
could have realized for moment rhe awful soenity Of
the The jalors had seen many paintings At
cutons but nene that compared with this in point Of
coldnese and general lack Of interest
When Mrs. Hicks had taken her leave, Father Daran
quot entered the condemned CELL and prayed with the
cuyrt until about eleven O'clock Al that hour Mr..
Finley brought Hicks cup OF tea aud slight
eshments after partaking Of which the euiprt retired
Tor the night ss was about ~ oSScn probably when
trance Of the keepers during the night did not awake
him.
THE MORNING OF THE EXECUTION.
About four O'Clock Hicks was awakened from the deep
sumber into which he had fallen by Of his keepers
and told to dress himself On being asked how be passed
The night be replied that he never slept better In all biz
e He further stated that he never felt better than hi
did that morning. and assured his keepers that he would
keep up bis spirits even 10 the last moment lie seemed
10 be entirely unconcerncd his te and manifested
sgns Of grief penitencc his last moments earth
sped swiftly By when engaged 10 prayer with Father
but the religious ceremonies Concluded
his countenanos resumed ts natural expression or Grm
indifference.
About nvc O'Clock Mr. Finley, who had been very
attentive to the culprit during his Incarceration at
the Tombs took his leave Of the prisoner and urged bin
TO keep up hts spirits 10 the last Hicks shook him
iy by hand and thanking him Tor the many acts OF
Kindness he had received At his hands bddc him last
farewell. The culprit then remained eiose;ei with bis
father confessor for hour and declined seeing
person other than his spiritual adviser.
READING OF THE DEATH WARRANT.
At nine O'Clock yesterday morning, Marshal Rynders,
accompanied by sheriff Kelly and other city officials,
tered the cell Of the cupr Hicks reclining on hts
bed at the time ana quietly as the officers entered
the apartment The Marshal informed the prisoner that
the duty devolvng spon him very nnpiea
SAINT Hicks said be had doubt il was, and
knew The Marshal would treat him kindly as he
could under the circumstance Tho Marshal then
read the death warrant 10 the prisoner and
ut its conclusion told the condemned TO prepare himself
fof the approaching execution. Hicks Immediately pro-
ceeccd array himself IN suit OF blue cottonadc, got
up for the occasion. HIS coat was rather fancy, being
,o :, .ncsnrs IN nerseuorx mic Ssr. pair
Of blue Pants, pair Of light pumps, and the Ola hcsuth
hal he when he VIA arrested completed The Attire
Hicks exceedingly cool while engaged in array ing
himself IN this fancy suit and seemed unooncerned
about his approaching doom though the dea OF death
had Fever crossed his mind After shaking hands with
Mr. Sutton, the warden of the prison, and thanking him
for his Kindness while under hts CHARGE Hicks intmated
his readiness prvcced ON the long and dresry Journey
that before him. 10 nus taking his leave u those
In the prison with whom be had been associated for four
monihs he manifested or feeling q any kind,
and none could witness his peculiar rang od without an
ejaculation Of surprise.
STARTING PROM sHy Toass
largo crowd OF persons assembled outside Of the pr
son door on Franklin street. for the purpose d catching
glimpse the notorious pirate he passed into the
carriage which was waiting In readiness. Tho crprit
marched out Of prison attended by Father Duranquet,
Marshal Rynders, Deputy Marshal Thompson and Sheriff
Kelly and took his seat In the nrst carriage Tho second
carriage was Allied with deputy sbsrcs, and the third
and by the police and representatives Of tho
hanis az Il The aeisciixse WIN nxrsstssi