Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-09-21
SfGstellaneOus,
An Execution in Illinois.


A man named james White was executed
at Salem Illinois, on Thursday. the 18th of
August, for the murder of Andrew j. Apple.
gate. The Advocate, giving an account of
the preliminary arrangements Tor the execu
ton, the assembling of large throDg OF spec
tators, &c, says:
Soon after this time, the public were as.
founded by the report that the convict, White
had possessed himself of a chain, aud, armed
with it, threatened Instant death to any man
who should dare to enter bis prison. The
report was found to be true. There had been
chain strongly fixed in-.the 6oor Of the pri-
son, to which il had become necessary or some
occasions to secure the prisoners this chain
W hite with almost superhuman strength bad
wrenched from its fdstenlngs. 1t was CON-
mon sized OK chain, about three feet in ength,
and upon one ofits ends un iron ring nearly
nine inches in circumference. White bad
armed bimself with this chain, and by running
the links through the ring had made heavy
knot of iron, which proved to be indeed
formidable weapon. Standing thus armed
inside the door of the cell, White declared
with terrible oaths that no living man should
enter. Ia this dilemma, pause ensued 10
proceedings. Sheriff Black made an attempt
to enter, assisted by four resolute and fearless
men. Driven to desperation, the hardened
criminal struck a tremendous blow, which
happily INFLICTED but slight injury upon the
LETT hand of the sheriff.
1t was now proposed 20 inject ammonia
into the face Of the convict and thus by bis
temporary suiocation, enable the officers to
take possession of the cell. This was tried,
but failed. The miserable murderer recolled
for an instant under the effect of the liquid
but speedily recovering himself, he stood
again at the door armed with this terrible
J weapon aud looking the approximation Of
6eDd. 1t really seemed as though the
arch. 6end helped hun. 1t now was resolved
to drench the cell with chlorotorm and thus
lull the turbulent spirit within until be could
be safely captured. The sheriff was still
! advised to disable him by a pistol ball,
but answered that be would not proceed TO
such harsh measures until all other less cruel
! means had failed. One or two bottles of fcho.
! reform were procured and the atmosphere Of
the cell was thorougy impreguated with its
| fumes blankets were suspended outside the
| grated windows Of the cell, aud every step ta-
ken 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 with the use and the effects
! of chlorofoGm. Indeed, be said so, and told
! the officers that the article they were using
was weak and poor. lie evidently was ac-
quainted with chemicals. lu order to resist
| It's effects he wound bis bed quilt around bis
face went occasionally to the window for air,
aod removed a portion OF the blanket by
reaching out sDd drawing it through the gra-
tngf so as to make an opening for the admls'
sion of the wind.
More than an hour had been consumed IN
these lruitiess efforts to obtain possession oi
| ,ba and hiS uaanon au1 il bpgau 10
be apparent that bnrsher means, were nectssa
ry. At about twelve o'clock, White was
beard to say-"they have tried hartshorn aud
cbloroform upon me, but one has neutralizeC
the action of the other; they are now golDg tC
try something else" he evidently saw that
he must ultimately submit, and though at hrsl
determined to sell his life us dearly as possible
bis courage and strength now began so lull =
He therefore proposed that il the sheriff wouit
give him his dinner and drink oi whlskey
aud let him live till one o'clock, be would sur
reuder himself. This proposition was accept
ed, aud W bite gave up his knotted chain thro
the grating OF The door. A dinner was pre-
pared for him, and glass Of water with silg b
Infusion OF wblskey, handed him to drink. !!
was the last office OF apparent mercy, ana IN
sheriff willingly performed it, :,
At one O'Clock the sheriff entered the cell
White came forward and surrendered himself
, His arms were pIuioned behind him. and D.
e walked resolu,ely down the stairs OF the lal
, through the hail. and into the fearful piac
pared for his terrible death. Here brieI rel
g gious services were held.
. The services concluded, White, aceompsnie
n by the sheriff and his assistants, aScended 10
. stems OF .he gallows without apparent trrp
$ daton. He never ialtersd moWeut, ou
' examined with critical eye oil the appllar
ces prepared for his execution. Aud po'
n occurred ore of the mos, borri'yios sDd psi'