The weekly sun. (New York [N.Y.]) 1851-1869, 1861-09-07

rIOi ESr RESISTANCE or THE CULrRfT.

IiOi EST RESISTANCE or THE CtLPRTT.
a man named James White was executed al
Salem, III. un the 10Th inst. for tho murder of
Andrew j. Appcgate. Tho di'ocuie turnishe,
the following account Of the cNtrnOrlinarv con
duct Oi the condemned man: Just before tho
time set for tho execution, tho public were as
founded by the report that the convict, White,
htd puSse-scd himself Of y chain, aud, armed
with II, threatened instant death to any man
who should dare to enter his prison. There had
been chain strongly fixed IN the floor Of the
prison, which White, with almost sup 'rhumIu
strength, hld wrcnchoi from its fIstcnn =, aud
by running the link, through the ring had
made heavy knot ut iron, which prove t. he
indeed Formidable weapon. ShcrIil Black
made tru,tlcsN attempt to enter, assisted by
four rusOlute men.
II was now proposed to inject ammonia into
the very tacc ui the convict aui thu, 10y IA, tcu-
pnrlry sutlucaiiuu, enable tho officer, e. take
possession Oi the cell. This was trlcl hut faded
The miserable murderer rccollcl for an instant
under the cltect Of the liquid, hut speedily ~
covering himself, he stood again ~ the door
armed with his terrible weapon AMI lpp ing the
porsouiication ol icnd. II was now rc-olN cd
tu dTcnch the cell with chloroiorm. The sheriff
was still advised 20 disable him by pistol ball.
but answered that he would not proceed to such
harsh measures until all other less cruel means
had failed. Ono or two bottles OF chlorolOrm
were procured and the atmosphere Of tho cell
was thoroughly imprcgnatcd with its fumes E;
blankets were suspended outside the grltol
window, OF the cell, and every step taken TO
make this effort successful. At first. the furious
wr.tcl aughc at tins attempt. II was clear
that his wicked course Of life hal made him
familiar with the use and the effects Of tho chlu-
rotprln. Indeed, ho said So, and told the officers
TINT the article ,hcv wcrc using was weak AMI
poor lie evidently was acquainted with chcm-
iclls. In order 10 resist is effects he wound his
bed quilt around his face, went occasionally to
tho window for air, and removed a portion of
the lllankut ~ reaching ont and drawing 1t
through th. grating, So as to mako An opening
for the admission Of the wind
More than an hour had been consumed in
the 80 iruilrss efforts 10 Oht in possession Of the
pIi uucr and his weapon, aud It bcgnu 10 bc ap-
parent thnt harshcr means were necessary. Al
about - o'clock White was heard tp say, "thoy
have tricd hnrtshon and chloroinrm upon ne
but one has ncutriiloi the action Oi the other
they are now going to try something else lie
ovlcuuy -aw that hc must ultimately submit
and his courage and strength now began To fail,
lly therefore propose that IL the sheriff would
give him his dinner and drink Of whiskey, and
L., him live till one u'clpck hc would Yield his
weapon and surrender himscl. This proposition
was accepted, and White gave up his knottcd
chain through the grating uT the door.
When once upon the scaiiold, and his ankles
being bound together, the usual white cap was
Produced and he was inIlrmcl that 1t was
necessary TO put it upon his head. To this
White objected, insisting that no change should
L. made in his apparel.
For nearly an hour the officers were engaged
in a struggle 10 enforce compliance. Pinioned
and bound as no wis, he fought with desperation.
lIr snapped and bit At their hngcrs ho lcaped
into the AR, hc crunched toward tho ground,
aud for some time IL seemed doubtful whether
he could be- compelled TO submit
Ancr severe and prOtractel struggle, the
cap wa, thrown upon hi- head, AMI securely ad.
iu,r,d about his face and the strings drawn
a,puud his neck. Npthjng now remained OF the
dreadful preparation but 10 put tha rope around
his neck and adjust the fatal moose. with slnc
difficulty this was at length accomplished, the
united efforts Of four men being required for the
purpose.