Wabash express. [volume] (Terre-Haute, Vigo Co[unty], Ind.) 1841-186?, 1861-01-09
Execution OF Lewis Bradford.

OF the sentence of Lewis Bradford convic
ted of the murder of J. L. Wright, prepar-
ations for his execution were commences
during the first of the week
The gallows was erected on the north
side of the Jail building in the space be-
tween the Jail and Wells Livery Stable.
the front being closed up in such a manner
as to render the scaffold perfectly conceal
ed from the out side. the only approach
being through the west room, in The north
end of the Jail building.
The gallows consisted OF a square frame
of some IL by Is feet, across the top Of
which was extended beam, with sta
pie through which the rope ran. being fas-
tened to another beam at the back of the
scaffold. e' 'rsasai
Beneath the moose was trap door so ad
iusted that the easy movement of an iren
rod would let the trap fall. The scaffold
was reached by stairway of seven steps
The scaffold was completed on Thursday
and the rope adjusted on yesterday morn
ing. 'l--sa at4aa ~ ~
The wife of Bradford, with her tw chill
dren, a little girl Of 9, and boy Of 5 years,
lccsDpanied by her sister arrived here on
Thursdsy evening and proceeded at once
to the jail Mrs. Bradford isa woman
about 80 years of age. rather above the me-
dium heigth with black hair, blue eyes,
and a massive ju,tiog forehead. The lit
tle'girl has black hair blue eyes. a faircom.
plexion. and wha. would be called pug
nose. much like her father. The boy is a
hearty lookiugchild, with man, of his faith
er's features.
The meeting was rather formal between
the husband and wife, but between the
father and children it was warm and ef-
fectinnate. Bradford being appa antly
much gra,itied to meet his children.
The first interview lasted about z of an
hour. Att o'clock the wife again visited
i Bradford and remained with him till g.;
the children remaining all night. Al
though Bradford appeared somewhat, com.
posed aud gratifed, yet Sheriff Connor
thinks he slept but little during the night
At 10 o'clock on Friday morning his wife
again was admitted to the Jail aud remain
ed until the prisoner was led forth to the
Sheriff's Office where the religious exerci
ess took place. 1is5ss
Ltll o'clock the Military Companies of
our city turned out in full force aud formed
glsrd around the square on which the
Jail is situated, which position they main
tanned until the execution was over.
The appearance of the military attracted
large crowd, Who quickly gathered in
| front of the jail, and remained there until
those witnessing the execution left the jail
The best Of order was Observation-Disclosures the
least disturbance occurring and none Of
those on the streets trying to enter within
The iues ...,
At five minutes before IL O'Clock the
I prisoner was brought out of the Jail &C
compaDied by his wife, his two children
aud his wife's sister, end taken into the
/ Sheriff's Office where, besides bis spiritual
adviser were assembled. the following cit
izeus, as witnesses, selected from the sew
eral Townships:
A. r. Summ ers, of Harrison
G. Hlggin bottom, of Honey Creek.
R. Beutly, of Prarieton.
J.Brown. of Prairie Creek.
P Randolph. of Linton.
t. Vaughn, of Person.
J. Brady, of Riley.
Jos. Ripley, of Lost Greek
| Br;ce Howard. Of Otter Greek
| John McFce, of Nevins. ,@f. s3
Jos. James, of Fayette
David Cusick, Of Sugar Greek
In addition to these were Drs Read and
Clippinger, Judge wilkins, Clerk of vigo
Co, Isaac Ball. the undertaken, aud thre,
reporters for the press. the Sheriff ami two
Deputies.
The prisoner as he entered appeared very
much detected, though not reduced il
flesh, aud Immediately took his svat, pla-
cling his face IN his hands which rested or
mis- knees, which position he maintained
during most of the religious exercises thai
followed. These exercises were conducted
by Rev. T.. s. Webb. ofthe Asbury Chapel
(Methodist.) and were solemn and impres
sive t1f
He opened the exercises by singing tn
hymn commencipg,-
"Sbew pity Lord, O. Lord forgive
after which he offered up most ferven
prayer in behalf Of the priso ner, his if
and his little ones. ss -sHri 81
} During the prayer Bradf ord remained
kueeliug with his face resting snhis wife
+ lap. ait rit ~r
The Minister read the Bird Chapter of th
= Gopel, according TO St John. after which
> vas sung the hymn beginning
"Coms humble sinner in whose breast"
} He then delivered short discourse fonn
led onthe 42nd aud 43rd verses Of The 23t
: Chapter of the Gospel by Luke. The ser
' mou was forcible and appropriate to tn
= occasion, aud as, towards the close, he ad
!. dressed himself TO the prisoner and hi
CeN""t cNNccofhbfJ ooicht
= bringing tears into the ey es of all present
e while the prisoner and his wife shook, wit
= deep emotion. frao1 6,- tsa
r After these exercises were closed til
r prisoner aud his spiritual adviser. Re,
- Mr.. Webb, spoke few words togethe
2 when the Sheriff announced to the iaDil
h OF the prisoner that it was necessary tn;
= they shold now take their leave
II The prisoner being asked if he desire
r to say anything, arose and declared he WI
b innocent Of murder, having taken the Ii
h Of Wright. only in self defence,
The leave taking between the PRISON.
and his wife was not strikingly effectio
ri ate, much less SO apparently on her pa
It. than on his. 7 words uttered durir
lie this scene could not be heard in,elligibly
n The parting with his children was vel
ur affecting, aud with his sister io-law scar
go less so. The family then retired
en- AT 5 minutes TO | oic lock the sprisone
ne arms were pinioned, and he was le to &