Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-09-10
GNortester Dailp Spp.
Horrible Scene at an ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Resistance of the CuIprit on she GaIiows.
From the Salem Uil.) Advocate.

Horrible Scene at an ExccutIOn-Desperate
Resistance of the Cuiprit ON she GaIiows.
From the Salem Qil.) Advocate
James White was executed in this place on
the 10Th ult,, for the murder of Andrew j. Ap.
plegate. While the preparations were going
on, and the crowd were assembled around the
gallows, the public were astounded by the re-
port that the convict, White, had possessed
himself Of chain, and, armed with it, threat
ened instant death to any man who should
dare to enter his prison. Th. report was found
to be true. There had been chain strongly
fixed in the floor of the prison, to which it had
become necessary on some occasions to secure
the prisoners this chain White, with almost
superhuman strength, had wrenched from its
fastenings. Ii was Il common sized OK chain,
about three feet in length, and had upon one
end an iron ring nearly nine inches in cir
conference. White had armed himself with
this chain, and by running the links through
the ring had made a heavy knot of iron, which
proved to be indeed a formidable weapon.
Standing thus armed inside the door Of the
cell, White declared with terrible oaths that
no living man should enter. In this dilemma,
pause ensued in the proceedings Sheriff
Black made an attempt to enter, assisted by
four resUlute and fearless men. Driven to DIES
peration, the hardened criminal struck a tire
mendous blow, which happily was but slight
injury upon the left hand of the sheriff.
1t was now proposed to inject ammonia into
the face of the convict and thus by his tempo
ry snfocation enable the officers to take pos
session of the cell. This was tried, but failed.
The miserable murderer recoed for an instant
under the effect of the liquid, but speedily re,
covering himself, he stood again at the door
armed with his terrible weapon, and looking
the approximation OF fend. 1t now was
resolved to drench the cell with chloroform
and thus lull the turbulent spirit within until
he could be safely captured The sheriff was
still advised to disable him with a pistol but
answered that lie would not proceed to such
harsh measures until all other less cruel means
had failed.
One or two bottles of chloroform were pro-
cured, and the atmosphere CT tiIe cell was
thoroughly impregRated wlth lis fumes blan-
kets were suspended outside the grated win
dows OF the cell, and every step taken to make
this effort successful. AT first the furious
wretch laughed at this attempt 1t was clear
that his wicked course of HE had made him
familiar Tith the use and effects OF choro.
form. Indeed, lie said so, and told the officers
that the article they were using was weak
and poor. He evidently was acquainted with
chemicals. In order to resist its effects lie
wound his bed quilt around his face, went
occasionally to the window fol- air, and re
moved portion of the blanket by reached
out aud drawing it through he grating, so as
to make an opening Tor the admission of the
wind.
More than an hour had been consumed in
these tIuitess efforts to obtain possession of
the prisoner and his weapon, and it began
to be apparent that harsher means were
necessary. AT about u o'clock, White was
heard TO say-''rhey have tried hartshorn
and chloroform upon me- but one has neu
traized the action Of the other; they are
now going to try something else" He evil
IDENTIFY saw that he must ultimately submit
and, though at first prepared TO sell his
life as dearly as possible, his courage and
strength now began to fail. He, therefore,
proposed that if the sheriff would give him his
dinner, and drink of whisky, amt let him
live till one o'clock, lie would yield his wcap
on and surrender himself This proposition
was accepted, and White gave up his knotted
chain through The grating OF the door, a din
was prepared for him, and glass OF water,
with slight infusion OF whisky, handed hlm
TO drink. 1t was the last office of apparent
mercy, and the sheriff willingly performed it.
AT one O'Clock the sheriff entered the cell.
White came forward and surrendered himself
His arms were pinioned behind him, and lie
walked resolutely down the stairs OF the Jail
through the hall, and into the place prepared
for his death. Here briet religious services
were held. The services concluded, White,
accompanied by the sheriff and his assistants,
assembled the steps of the gaows without APP.
parent trepidation. He never tallered Il mo-
ment, but examined with critical eye all the
appliances prepared for his execution. And
now occurred one of the must horrilying and
painful scenes in this terrible drama. When
once upon the scatfold, and his ankles being
bound together, tile usual white cap was pro-
duced and he was informed that it was neces-
sary to put ii upon his head. To this White
OInaptpI INSISTING tb1f M, "a, cl,nll bo
made in Ills apparel lie wore the little felt
cap with which he had covered his head from
his first Imprisonment When the sheriff re-
moved the felt cap, and was about substituting
the usual white one, the prisoner again Object
ed, and, with fearful imprecations, declared it
should not be put on. Sheriff Black, in IA de.
cided tone, endeavored to persuade the pris.
oner, but in vain.
For nearly an hour the officers were engaged
in a struggle to force compliance. Here, in.
deed, was the demonlac character Of the pris.
oner displayed. He made every effort to pre-.
vent the officers from putting on the white
covering. Pini0ned and bound as he was, he
fought with desperation. lie snapped and bit
ut their fingers, he leaped into the air, he
crouched toward the ground, and Tor some
time it seemed doubtful whether he could be
compelled to submit. After severe and pro-
tiacted struggle the cap was thrown upon his
head and securely adjusted about his face and
the strings drawn about his neck. Nothing
now remained of the direlul preparations but
to put the rope around his neck and adjust the
fatal nose. With some difficulty this was at
length accomplished, the united efforts OF four
men being required for thai purpose.
AS the Sheriff drew the fatal moose closer to
its place and placed the knot beneath the ear
of the unhappy man, he exclaimed with fear.
full imprecaiions "What in h--ll are yon