The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-06-04


The green doors of the prison did not open once
Tor the passage OF othctals-improvised copy car
cleBatio tboe ei'hSr S na on bad been
finished, and q human being had suddenly
been swept into eternity for one.ot the most ter
The public notice which occurred in some of
the daily prints, that the execution would take
place in the northwestern portion OF the yard,
was the cause Of quite an assem- blage of youth
and older persons near that place, who waited
patiently for any sound that would indicate
that the execution had been completed.
But the police Kept them at a sufficient dis
tance from the walls to prevent their hearing
any sound whatever. A very large portion OF
those who attended without were individuals
who had, apparently, q fellow-feeling with
Moyamensing.
One was seen who has become we'll known as
the most adroit burglar end housebreaker that
has ever visited this city.
There was sudden rushing to three story
brio brick Owe dwellng az the corner Of Passyunk road i
the stragglers around, and, notwithstand-
Ing the remonstrances Of the lady owner,
roof, from which could seen the scaffold, and
the condemned man, in kneeltng attitude,
with his religious attendants at his side. The
crowd below watched the crowd above; sud
denly, the uplifting OF hands gave evidence
that the final scene had been consummated,
and Gottleib Williams was no more.
The Preliminaries.
At quarter to 10 o'clock this morning, the
persons who were designated to witness the
execution assembled in room in the Assembly
Buildings, at the corner of Tenth and Chestnut
streets when the roll was called by the Sheriffs
solicitor. At 10 o'clock the party took a special
car of the Tenth street line, and proceeded in
o body to the prison. They were there received
in the parlor and then proceeded to the main
entrance, and entered the reception room at the
The jury having been severally sworn or
affirmed by Mr. Samuel l.. Clement, that, hav-
ing been summoned by Henry @. Howell, Esq,
Sherlh OF the City and County of Philadelphia,
as as Jurors to witness the execution of Gottleib
County Prison, on this 4th day of June, 1857
declared and said that they would perform the
duties required OF them according to the act of
Assembly in such cases made and provided.
Everything was thus in readiness for the final
scene.
The Prisoner During the Night
was entirely alone, his spiritual adviser, the
Rev. Thomas g. Allen. having left him at about
twenty minutes before o'clock in the evening
At O'Clock this morning Williams awoke,
after good nights rest, when he partook OF a
hearty breakfast. About halfpast o'clock
hH hfrd III tS 9gor oeen @ ~ 1 S cr
pied condition, was visited by his two bro
theirs, and subsequently by the Rev. Mr. Allen,
To his brothers he talked freely and affec-
tionately, still protesting his entire innocence
He requested one of them to read to him the
parable OF the Prodigal Son, whose case, hesaid.
ea aS oF his he
he stin manifested his readiness to meet IL, pro-
Tossing to have mad made his his peace With God. The
In the Cell.
AT few minutes before IL o'clock, the Sheriff
accompanied by Mr.. Worrell and n delegate of
the prisoner in his cell. Sheriff Howell stated
to him that he had come to perform his un-
pleasant duty, understanding that the prisoner
was fully prepared and ready.
Receiving an affirmative response, Mr.. Wor-
ing him pointediy if he had admitted his guilt
to any one. The answer was, mo" Williams
the manner in which his trial had been con
Quoted. He then passed out of his cell through
the keeper office, shaking hands, as he passed,
with DIR. Haines, the prison apothecary.
He was dres sed in a white shirt. brown vest
and dark pants, and wore black cap drawn
down over his eyes. He was so feeble that from
his crippled condition 1t was necessary to assist
him upon the scaffold. Notwithstanding this,
he bore himself up wonderfully well, and eX-
hibited no emotion or fear.
The Procession to the ScafFOId
was then made up in the following order:-
William b. Perkins, superintendent of the
County Prison.
Henry g. Howell, High Sheriff
The prisoner, Gottleib Williams.
Rev. Thomas G. Allen. the prisoners spiritual
adviser.
Thomas j. Worrall, the prisoners counsel
II. Gale Smith, NJ. d.. the Prison Physician
The Physicians assistant.
liam II. Kern, Samuel p Hancock, Hiram Hor-
ter, F. BLACKBURN George H H. Roberts Samuel Hte
liam Elliott, Joseph M. Cowell, William Vogdes,
and John g. Butler.
]. f. Salter, the Sheriffs Solicitor
Samuel L. Clement Notary Public
The Sherifrs Deputies, William r. Leeds,
| James Balm, Jr., Samuel Schelde, Joseph s.
Allen, Joseph Watt, and Samuel s Money.
! The only others who were present were nine
representatives of the press
On the scafTOId.
! Ascending the scaffold. the prisoner seated
| himself, and the Rev. Mr. Allen made touch
! ing address TO the persons assembled. He stated
that Williams still declared his Innocence but
| expressed willingness to die for the many
| offenses which he had committed in the past.
! Being asked to repeat the text of Scripture
! on which he relied for salvation, Williams did
! so, in clear voice, as follows:-"God so loved
| the world, that He gave His only begotten
Son, that whose believeth in Him might not
periGh, but have everlasting life."
Mr. Allen continued, saying that Williams
| acknowledged the first murder laid to his
Sued his hand "iS in ' blood, knowing nothing
| whatever of the crime for which he was to die.
| Still he blessed God that he had been brought
| within the prison walls, for 1t had brought him
to sense of his guiltiness and of the justice
| and mercy of God.
When the death warrant was read to him in
| his CELL the prisoner had assured the Sheriff
| that he was then prepared for death. But as
| soon as Mr.. Allen had visit ed and talked with
him afterwards, he said to him that he had then
| told O lie, for he was not prepared. This had
| been changed, and he now met his fate, trusting
| in his Saviour Jesus Christ
Mr.. Allen then offered FEELING prayer. Pc
| to die by sentence of the law.
The Last OF Earth.
| At quarter past IL o'clock the prisoners vest
| was removed his hands were pinioned behind
1 his back, the moose was adjusted, and the white
/ cap drawn over his face, Williams exciaiming'
/ during these operations, Goodbye, Mr.. Wor-
rell," addressing himself to his counsel, who
Ali the Others upon the platform then de-
| scended, and Williams repeated after Mr.. Allen
"God be merciful to me a sinner! God be
merciful to me sinneri God be merciful
to me sinner! for Jesus Christ's sake, amenp1