Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-10-26
THE EXECUTION OF DIR. wRieHr


From the Norfolk correspondence OF the Phil.
adelphia IHqmrsT we get the following parsic :
uiars OF the execution of DIR. Wright, ana OF
bis attempt to escape:
On Wednesday DIR. Wright made a reouess
that light shvulo be furnished him IN his
ceii that evening. Strange as the REQUEST ,xcs.
nc one regarded it with any Suspicion L2te
thar evening he was visited, as usual, by r
potion OF his family, which, on thi. o.casioa,
'unsisted OF his wife, two daughters ana small
s"r. They all entered their father's cell. and
ri ier remaining short time the whole party
plaIently, I.tircd. To gain the street, thew
pri on, which is occupied by its officers for the
trans action Of business. Here one of the marty.
entering through door, slightly stumbled.
I This was noticed by one Of the turukevs,
who, after they had just cieverly reached fhe.
street, exclaimed, :" By 49,, believe that was
Or. Wright in dlsguise, Lieut.. Coos. Who,
ruEhed out M d intercepted the party befory
them, he eSsal%sd rhsts tfrfs pfsyea ea g Sa snf
know you, DIR. Wright" at the same time lift-
/ ing up two heavy wells that con cealed the face
; 1t proved to be as the lieutenant had ASSERT
+ ed. I, was DR.. Wright, and he appeared to be
but little surprised or embarrassed at the de-
lection. ard on being conducted ineide the Jail,
remarked that ssdesperats means were pardon
ahie, under desperate circumstances. II d.
then p, walled BACK to his cell as nneoneernedly
how he was disguised csp now be most read
lily shown. When he left the place OF his cor.
NNelneHL ne was cl6Q IN the garments one
his daughters, who renamed behind. Ae her
father was re-entering his cell, she was found
r. clinihg upon the bed, fully co uipped in her
pas rig, TIE boots peering beneath the cover
ing. She was much chagrined at being found
in this position, but was more d eply sur
prised and panied TO find that her scheme for
her fathers escape had been frustrated For
her imprudent act no restraint was placed
upon her, but she was escorted home by one OF
the officers Of the prison. 1t is asserted, but
we know not with what truth. that the doctor
y. 4
escape, and that his friends were not slow 10
aid him in 1t. 1t was through mere accident
that he was recognised. Being taller than the
women: ne STOPPED as much as he dare to
make himself appear small, and in doing this
he stumbled while passing through q door.
This caused his detection. as il more clearly
revealed the shape and size of his body, which
the keen eye of the turnkey was quick 10 de-
tect. 81 "-.5 az : ..- = : - q
At the galiows, DR. Wright advanced a few
steps forward, and in a tremulous voice said,
g ''Gentiemen, the act which l committed was
done without the slightest malice" His hands
we're now tied Bending on his knees, he prayed
most fcrvently for few minutes.
Upon arlslLg, the cap was adjusted over his
race, and The Necutioaer stepped from the plat
form and pulled the rope attached TO the bar
which supported the drop.
Ill this time breathiess stiffness prevailed,
ana as the doctor descended through the trap
shudder appeared to run through every one
present He fell without struggle. His death.
was perceived. 1t was a fe " min utes after ten
v when the signal to lower the trap wa. given
The body, after hanging half hour, was ex-
amined by DIR. Conover, who pronounced life
extinct The body was then cut down and
placed in the coffin to be delivered to his family
Thus has DIR. David NJ Wrigh. paid the tor.
fe il OF his life tor ehOotin1 I'm cc1d blood
Sanborn, of the United States colored troops,
IN the early part Of July last. He came to the
city from Edenton, N e., about twenty i've years
ago, and commenced the practice OF medi cine,
In which he was very successful until the oc-
cupation of this city by our troops. In appear
ance he may be described as being rather tail,
slightly bent In the shoulders, with q Iarce
frame, though somewhat lean his eyes dark,
with heavy brows, long hair, which extended
to his shoulders, of the same color as his
moustache and goatee, which were iron grey,
but evidently, In his younger days, very black
The family which he leaves is large, but in at
fluent circumstances NJ 5 A7