Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-05-14
Interesting from the South.
TRIAL, SENTENCE AND EXECUTION OF TIMOTHY
WEBSTER As A SPY.

WEBSTER AS A SPY.
from the the Richmond Dispatch. April sO.l
We append brief synopsis of the pro-
ceedings of the court-martial that con-
demned the above person, in order to q
correct understanding of the matter al
lodged against him, and for which he YES
terday, at twenty-five minutes pS t eleven
o'clock, suffered the extreme penalty of
the law, at the military camp at the new
Fair Grounds.
On the I'd of April the court-martial
convened for the trial of Timothy Web
ster as an alien enemy, Col. Nat Taylor
being President of the same.
Charge-Lurking about the armies and
fortifications of the Confederate States of
America.
First pecifcation-That on the lst of
April, being an alien enemy, and in the
service OF the United States, he lurked
about the armies and Notifications of the
Confederate States in and near Richmond.
Second specification-Thata about the
lst of July, 1861, prisoner, being an alien
enemy, and in the service of the United
States, did lurk in, around and about the
armies and fortifications of the Confeder-
ate States at Memphis, in the State of
Tennessee.
The prisoner was defended By Nance &
Williams, who introduced a number of
witnesses in his behalf
The court having maturely considered
the evidence adduced, and two-thirds con-
curing therein, they find the prisoner
guilty of the charge.
First specifcation-guilty.
Sacond SpacifoatiCp not o,,iIfx-
Whereupon, two-thirds of the court
concurring, it was adjudged that the ac-
cused Suffer death by hanging"
On the 25th of April the proceedings,
findings and sentence of the court were
approved by the Commanding General of
the Department of HenricO, who ordered
that the sentence should be executed un-
der the direction of the Provost Marshal,
on the 29th day of April, between the
hours of and l2o'clock NJ.
On the announcement of his approach
ing fate the prisoner, as we hear, grew de-
fiant, thinking no doubt that he would
not be hung. He also said that he could
make several parties in the War Depart
ment ''shake in their jackets" by his rev.
elations, but he made none up to his last
hour. Learning on Monday night that
there was no show for him, he became |
completely unnerved. lie was carried to |
the fair grounds as early as six o'clock |
yesterday morning by Capt Alexander, |
but prior to that time received a visit |
from Rev. Mr.. Woodbridge He asked |
the clergyman to read the Psalm of Da- |
vid, invoking vengeance on his enemies. |
He refused, and Webster grew indignant, |
causing the clergyman to take an early |
departure. When brought to the gallows |
the prisoner was visibly affected by the |
sight of the preparations observable, and |
shuddered when he looked at his coffin. |
After the rope was adjusted around his
neck, prayer was offered up by Rev. NJ
D. Hoge. At the conclusion black cap
was drawn over his eyes, he having pre-
viously bid farewell to several persons
by. The signal being given, the |
trigger that sustained the drop was drawn,
and it struck against the uprights with a
loud sound. Owing to defective cotton
rope, the moose slipped, and Webster fell
on his back to the ground. The half hung
and partially stunned man was speedily
raised and assisted up, and a new rope be-
ing ready, he was soon swinging in accor-
dance with his sentence. This occurred
at twenty-five minutes past eleven O. clock.
Fifteen minutes later We left the ground,
but the party was still suspended. He
ed in about one minute.
Webster who had plenty of gold and
Confederate State Treasury notes, gave
it all to his wife the night before his exc
cution. He was in the employment of
One of the departments here as a letter
carrier between this city and MARYLAND.
1t is said-how true we know not-that
he used to take the letters received here
to Washington, where they were copied.
md the answers received were served in
Lhe same way, thus being used as evidence
against the parties, as many of them have
iound to their cost by subsequent arrest
md incarceration in Northern forts. Sus-
oicion was first excited against the prison.
sr by the style of his evidence against ,
Lewis and Scully, and they let the cat out ,
'f the bag on him after their conviction.
Mrs Webster, who was arrested along :
With her husband as a spy. is still at Cas- {
lie Goodwin, but will, no doubt, be sent '
,ut OF the Confederacy. Webster is the '
irst man executed here as spy. Per-
laps 1t would have been better had the
business been commenced at an earlier
lay. J
HON. JOHN ". BoTTs SENT SOUTH. 6
The conditions on which Hon. John I
dinor Bolts was released from his impris- C
in Castle Goodwin by the Court of U
inquiry that examined the charge of dis ]
oyalty preferred against him, are: First, C
hat after being permitted to go to his u
esidence in Henrico, be shall with all C
onvenient speed prepare to remove to v
rx.fl l. L II
anne is indicated by him, it must be ap- o
royed by the War Department of the
confederate States Government. 1t has
lready been intimated that, had not Mr..
Iotts, with his characteristic obstinacy, h
eclared himself q neutral in the present d
ar, the Court of Inquiry would have re- a
o-an,o.nHod lis dicch arna Of Ills rn b