The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-09-06
AN EXECUTION I'm ILLINOIS.
HANGING OF JAMES WHITE FOR THE MURDER
OF ANDREW J. APPLICABLE.

From the Salem (Ill.) Advocate, Aug q.
This unhappy and hardened criminal was
executed pursuant to his sentence on Thurs
day last. As the statute of our State,
passed at the session of 1850, required the
execution to be in private, the proper
steps were taken by our efficient Sheriff to
obey its provisions. A sui able enclosure
was erected adjoining the Jail, which eff
fectually shut out from the public eye the
dismal scene and the paraphanalia of death.
About half-past nine in the morning,
crowds of people began to throng our
streets, in the vain hope that an opportu>
nifty might be afforded of witnessing the
last sad scenes of the execution. At ten
o'clock picket guard was stationed around
the fence enclosing the Jail, with orders to
permit no one to enter the area of tho en-
closure, unless provided with the requisite
pass from the Sheriff. These guards were
we'll armed with guns, and were admirably
drilled and placed in position by Adjutant
Wiseman, of the Twenty-secOnd Illinois
Regiment, who happened to be in Salem on
Through, assisted by Sergeant Milton Ly-
dick, lately of the Second Ohio Volunteers.
Soon after this time, the public were as
founded by the report that the convict,
White, had possessed himselfof chain, and,
armed with it, threatened instant death to
any man who should dare to enter his prison.
The report was found to be true. There
had been chain strongly fixed in the floor
of the prison, to which it had become ne'
cessary on some occasions to secure the
prisoners this chain, White, with almost
superhuman strength, had wrenched from
its fastenipgs. 1t was common sized OK
chain, about three feet in length, an had
upon one of its ends an iron ring nearly
nine inches in circumference. White had
armed himself with this chain, and by rum
ming the links through the ring had made a
heavy knot of iron, which proved to be in.
deed formidable weapon. Standing thus
armed inside the door of the cell White de-
clared with terrible oaths that no living
man should enter. In this dilemma, a pause
ensued in the proceedings. Those who knew
Tom Black, our Sheriff, need not be told
that drawer man and one more determined
in duty does not exist. He made an at
tempt to enter, assisted by four resolute and
fearless men, Messrs. Frank Black, Logan
Shelton, Michael Justice, and Joe Shultz
Driven to desperation, the hardened crimi-
nal struck tremendous blow, which hap
PLY was but slight injury upon the left
hand of the Sheriff, Many other officers in
this condition of things would have at once
proceeded to extremity with the ferocious
criminal and shot and disabled him on the
spot. Such, however, was not the course
of Sheriff Black. His humane heart would
not permit him to inhict injuries upon his
prisoner, though such course seemed to be
necessary. 1t was proposed to inject am
mOnia into the face of the convict and thus
by his temporary sufOcation, enable the
officers to ia possession of the cell. This
was tried but failed The miserable MUIR
derer recoiled for an instant ander the effect
OF the liquid; but speedily recovering him.
self, he stood again at the door armed
with his terrible weapon and looking the
as though the arch fend helped him. 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
by pistol ball; but answered that he would
not proceed to such harsh measures until all
other less cruel means had failed. One or
two bottles OF chiorOform were procured
and the atmosphere of the cell was thor
oughly impregnated with its fumes; blankets
were suspended outside the grated windows
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 life had
made him familiar with the use and effects
of choroform. Indeed, he said so, and told
the officers that the article they were using
was weak and poor. He evidently was ac-
quainted with chemicals. In order to resist
its effects he wound bis bed quilt around bis
face, went occasionally to the window for
air, and removed portion of the blanket
by reaching out and drawing it through the
grating, so as TO make an opening for the
admission of the wind. More than an hour
had been consumed n these fruitless efforts
to obtain possession of the prisoner and his
weapon; and it began to be apparent that
harsher means were necessary. At about
twelve o'clock White was heard to say,
"they have tried hartshorn and chloroform
upon me, but one has neutralized the action
OF the other; they are now going to try
something else" He evidently saw that be
must ultimately submit, and, though at first
prepared to sell his life as dearly as posi-.
BILE, his courage and strength BOW began to
fail. He, therefore, proposed that if the
sheriff would give him his dinner and a
drink Of whisky, and let him live till one
O'Clock, be would yield his weapon and sur.
render himself. This proposition was &C.
cepted and White gave up his knotted chain
through the grating of the door, a dinner
was prepared for him and a glass of water
with slight infusion of whisky handed
him to drink. 1t was the last Office of ap.
parent mercy and the sheriff willingly per-
formed it.
At one o'clock the Sheriff entered the cell.
White came forward and surrendered him.
self. His arms were pinioned behind him
and he walked resolutely down the stairs of
the jail, through the hail and into the fear
ful place prepared for his terrible death.
We had expected that the sight of the scaf~
fold and attendants would have moved the
criminal. We Watched him closely as we
looked upon the gallows, the rope with its
fotol noooa the tran door through which he