The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-07-11
Execution OF William Wilson Ira St.
Louis.

Louis.
From the Republican, och ult.
Presuming that the public would feel
some interest in the execution, by hanging,
of fellOw-being, we yesterday procured
from Marshal Wegman pass into the
County Jail yard, to witness the execution
OF William Wilson for the murder of John
q. Gilmore, in December last, in this city.
There were about $50 persons present to
witness the execution, composed mainly of
policemen, State officers, lawyers, and friends
OF officers. After considerable delay, the
prisoner, accompanied by his spiritual
adviser, Father Welby, who had been with
him most of the day, and the Sheriff,
and County Marshal, with his assistants,
passed along the alley leading from the cells
TO the platform His step was firm and his
general department full of ease and conf
dence. There was nothing Of bravado or
desperation in his mien indeed his whole
department was Indicative OF the utmost
confidence and resignation. His movement
up the steps to the fatal platform was easy
and bis bearing manifested not tie slightest
trepida;ion. Walking up to the bench on
the platform, he sat down, while the pri.st
who accompanied him stepped forward and
delivered short address, stating that Will
son confessed the murder for which he was
now about to suffer the extreme penalty OF
The law that the condemned felt that he
bad eXpiated his crime before the great tri-
bunal that is judge of the actions of men,
and that he hoped for forgiveness before the
bar OF the Most High. The address Of ia
Their Weby was full al religious iervor and
the pathos which such a subject would ma
turally call forth, and many eyes in the sur
rounding crowd exhibited evidences of its
effect.
After the address of the priest was con.
cluded Marshal Wegman approached the
condemned man and read the warrant for
his execution. During the reading of the
warrant, not the slightest uneaslness or
emotion was visible in the prisoners coun-
tenance, and when motioned to be approachs
ed the fatal drop with the calmness and
placidity OF counteuance indicative of that
heroism which is born of faith in the atone.
ment based On the promises of religion and
the hope that springs therefrom. Immed..
ately Deputy Marshal Eaves adjusted the
fatal white cap, and the criminals face Was
hidden from the world, to be seen no more
in life. He stood on the platform from
which be was to be launched into eternity
ana summoned before the last tribunal.
The intense gaze Of the multitude was rivet.
ed upon him; death was before; but still
his limbs faltered net, nor did one cry
escape him. He stepped upon the platform
with the cir OF one forced to an awful and
inexorable destiny, from which there was no
recoil.
After the cap was placed over his face,
the mysterious knot was adjusted, and, like
a hero stepping upon pedestal to be EN-
blaz ,ned into immortality, William Wilson
stepped upon the platform, the fatal spring
was puIled--a fall--a dangling of human
body in the air, and there was the picture.
For half second aftef the fall, the body
hung pendent, as though life became extinct
at the first fall afterwards convulsive
movement was made-a shrug or two was
seen, and then the whole person of the SUBJ
ject quivered like an aspen-leaf; every muse
&c seemed 10 active life his hands grasped
convulsively his garments, and remained
clutched upon the skirts of his coat. And
there be hung, swinging to and fro like
senseless piece OF mechanism and the eve
p!dyCu Will tuC gal tltEIS vi LuS
dead sinner as he swung. We could but
say, Jesus of Nazareth, didst thou hear his
prayer?
The crime which Wilson expiated with
his life was committed in this city on the
morning of the 10th of December last at
house kept by Mol Riley, on Thirteenth
and Chambers streets.
Several polcemen--among them Gilmore
bad been detailed to watch the premises
the previous night, and arrest the notorious
characters who found shelter there. This
watch was kept up during the night with
out success. A little after daylight, all the
policemen bat Gilmore, left. Very soon
thereafter, Wilson and Burns, THE latter
now awaiting bis trial as an accomplish in
the marder) made their appearance at the
houee.
Wilson, but a few days before, had been
released from the military prison, upon the
condition that he would leave the city. A
heavy burglary ard robbery in which be
was supposed 10 have had hand, had also
just been committed 10 the vicinity of Moil
Riley's house.
Officer Gilmore therefore at once pro-
ceeded to take Wilson into custody, bat soon
found himself overpcwered. He was knock.
ed down and beaten and afterwards shot by
Wilson, death ensuing from the wound in
the course of few days.
nv