Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-12-28
TERRIBLE SCENE.
Wilson, the Murderer OF the Hon. Burr Burton,
Hanged ut GeneScO.

Wilson the Murderer OF the Hon. Burr Burton,
Hanged ut GeneScO.
From the Rochester Union and Advertiser, Dec 90
Yesterday, Friday, December %, was the day de-
signnted for the execution of the brute, in Human
fnTm who has been lying in the Jail at Geneseo,
Livingston county, for some time past under the
name of Henry Wilson. The execution took place
nj two o'clock i'm the afternoon, and we give such
ranort of the affair and incidents relating 10 the muir
erer as will most interest the public The day was
stormy and cold, and the outside attendance ut the
execution was, therefore, not large. The execution
being private under the statute, only one hundred
and fifty persons were present.
GOING To THE GALLONS.
At n ouarter to two O'clock Sheriff Chase went to
the prisoner and told him that he must go to the gal
lows He rose had the cuffs put upon his hands,
and with the shackles still upon his ankles he walk
oil forward the sheriff holding him 10y one arm,
while a deputy held the other
THE GALLOwS-TUE EXECUTION.
The prisoner was poorly clad, and was in all re-
spects disagreeable subject to contemplate as he
stood upon the frozen, snowy ground, apparently
quite Oiierent TO his fate. As soon as led to the
fatal SPOT under the dangling rope, the doomed man
looked up and surveyed the gallows with sort of
smile of derision and contempt, as though he re-
garded himself 'maStcrof the situation.
Kidder Scott Esq, on the call OF the Sheriff. read
the death warrant in loud, clear tone the prisoner
now and then looking at the sky and the gallOwS.
Rev. Mr. Ives then made brief but very appro-
pirate prayer.
Sheriff Chase-WisOn you have but ten minutes
to live. If yOu have anything to say, now Is the
time
Wilson-The time is plenty for what have to say.
have but little to say more than it was not me who
killed Deyoe. The man who killed him is not here.
You have not got the right man yet. think know
the man. | was not there that night.
| 4 voice among the speCt4tOrS-Luuder; what does
/ he say ?
wilson, say you have not got the right man. I
| have an ilea-think know who killed DevOe but
| you haint got the man.
Voice-NIr. Wilson, speak louder; We can't
| hear.
Sherir-Do not interrupt him. gentlemen; what
he says will all be published, and you can then
| read II.
Wilson, made request of the Sheriff that he
would not have my photograph taken; didn't want
nv friends to know was here. He said he wouldn't
do it, but he has. lie says was done at the request
of somebody else; he paid more attention TO them
/ than to me- ID shows what sort of man he Is. He
| knew did what 1 could to prevent my folks from
| knowing where | was. Cooking at the Shcrn) lie
| has taken my photograph; If had the power |
| would take ms damned quick, don't think they got
/ a good one, and my folks wouldn't know 1t. have
Here was interruption 10y a fellow named Fred.
| sherman a son-in.law of Mr.. Dcvoc, who appeared
| to be somewhat under the influence of liquor lie
was standing near in the crowd and intimated de-
| >ir. to break through and reach the prisoner.
! Sheriff ChaSe-Gcntlemen, keep cool and be quiet.
! Wilson docking at Sherman delanty)-Thlt fell
/ low wants to pitch in. understand that Esther is
/ charged with giving me the knife. For this ! am
sorry as she did not do il. We passed notes by a
| string and talked together for SIX weeks So.
wrote with Esther, but she didn't give me the knife.
The Sheriff afterwards told her not to speak 10
Chase thought that she gave me the knife. am
very sorry that he should mlstruSt heri she knew
| nothing about it.
Sberiif Chase did at one time think that Esther
| paye YOU the knife but now | think differently.
now think she did not.
| Wilson-lm glad b. hear you say that cause !
don't want her suspected when she j. innocent. Per
/ hans some of you may find out by the Photographs
] who am, but doubt 1t most damndbly. That's all
| have 10 say. have nothing against Mr.. Chase or
| Mrs Chase 50 far rs their treatment to me. Chase
| tried TO make a show OF me at one time Mr.. Chase
| ALWAYS used me well find no fault with his treat
Inent or his feeding me. | believe that is all. No
more now.
| handouts pinioned the arms adjusted the halter,
put on the black cap. and the culprt stood ready 10
i be launched into eternity.
Here the man Sherman began to exhibit some I'M
easinesS, which Wilson noticed, as he had kept his
| eve upon him, and Wilson remarked:
| That fellow wants TO show oil. | don't believe
| he has the courage hc prctends to-"
! Here some of the deputies stepped forward and
babe Wilson goodbye and he expressed himself sat
/ siied with their treatment. HIS counsel ana the
| Chaplain shook his hand.
! Sherif-WisOn, you have but four minutes more
/ 10 live.
WilsOn-rm no ways particular about the time.
It's not much consolation 10 me To be kept standing
here in the cold three or four minutes. had as het
! 20 now As any time
Sherin-Yery well, if that is your desire
Wilson looked up TO window of the Jail where
some ladies were seated, and smiled. The sheriff
drew the black cap over his face. lie stood quite
firm, though he appeared TO he somewhat affected by
| the cold.
Sheril-WIlson, your time is up.
WilsOn-tO ahead!
The weight dropped, and the miserable culprt
raised from earth quite steadily into the air and hung
about three feet from the ground. The surgeons in
attendance examined his pulse from time to time,
and soon reported that he was quite dead.