Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-08-15
Execution of Thos. J. Armstrong,
For the Murder of RoBt. Grasetoqa.
Dying Speech Of the Condemned Man.

Dying Speech Of the Condemned Man.
PHILADELPHIA. Aug. g.
The dread penalty of the law was inflicted
to-day upon Thomas Jefferson Armstrong,
the convicted murderer of Robert Crawford.
At about eleven o'clock the condemned,
with the Sheriff and his aids. Rev. Mr.. Nc.
Auley and Mr.. Stewart, emerged from the
cell and proceeded to leave the building
AT the main gateway they were Joined by the
Sherif's jury and the other persons present,
and the mournful procession to the gallows
was formed.
Armstrong was dressed in plain suit Of
black with frock coat. He wore no neck
tie and his head was bare. He was very
pale, aud be wore a serious countensuce
but be was as firm as at any period of his
trial, and his step betrayed no symptom or
fear or faltering. On arriving at the scaf-
fold. he mounted the steps without any ap-
pearance of fear, and took his place under
the fatal moose with an unnerved form.
The Sheriff. Mr.. McAuley and Mr.. Stew
art accompanied the wretched man upon the
scaffold. After the party had taken their
places, Rev. Mr.. McAuley offered an appeal
to the Throne of Grace in fervent and i'm
pressive manner.
During the delivery of the prayer the ut.
most solemnity prevailed, all the spectators
remaining uncovered, not cnly at that tins,
but throughout the scene of the e1ecution.-
Several gentlemen were melted to tears
Armstrong stood firm, with his eyes closed.
He was supported by gentleman who noun
ted the scafold for that purpose.
After Mr.. McAuley had concluded, Arm-
strong stepped forward, and in firm and
unfinching manner spoke as follows:
DYING SPEECH OF ARMSTRONG.
{" Ny friends. let me say in passing, die
in peace with my Maker, and if at this mo-
ment pardon were offered to me on condi-
lion of giving up my Maker. would not
take it. To the few people here, would ad-
wise them to take warning by my fate. Sab
bath breaking was the first cause.
" / bid you farewell. To the Prison Keeps
ers, to Mr. Perkins, to Sheriff Kern, and TO
my Spiritual adviser, Mr.. McAuley.
Il bid farewell, gentlemen, bid you all
farewell; l now die in peace with every
body"
There was much disappointment that the
dying man had made no allusion TO the crime
for which be was about to suffer and at the
last moment he showed the same reticence in
this respect, as at the time of his sentence.
At the conclusion of his remarks, the fatal
rope was placed about bis neck, and all ex-
cepr the Sheriff and the condemned Left the
sea fold. He shook hands with all, and when
Mr.. MoAuley was about to leave him he
whispered something in his ear and then
kissed him.
The moose was fixed, the CHASTITY white cap
was drawn down over the face of the con-
demned, the Sheriff took his leave, and the
murderer of Robert Crawford was left stand
ing alone:
"Twix the hollow floor and the
Stout cross beam ~
AS the cap was about being drawn down,
Armstrong said " Goodbye, peopls !" Af-
ter these prelininares, Armstrong stood as
firm as man ever stood, while in the same
position There were no signs of tremor,
even the hands which were thrust forward Of
bis breast did not move, and there was no
clutching of fingers during this terrible mo-
mont. There was momentary delay before
the prop was drawn. This over, the Sheriff
dropped a white handkerchief, the signal
was seen by the Jack Ketch concealed in an
adjacent stable, the cord was drawn, and the
mortal part Of Thomas j. Armstrong was
dangling between heaven and earth.
The condemned had fall of about three
and a half feet and bis death was almost in
Simultaneous. There was a quiver of the form
after the drop had fallen but it was evident
that the man felt no agony in his actual
death