Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-06-15

thick set, muscular figure, rather below
the average hight and with a progresses
ing countenance. He was unmarried,
and by trade stevedore. Neither before
nor after his conviction did any relative
call at the Jail to see him, and after
sentence he was only, or chiefly, visited
by the Rev. Mr.. Hussey, who was with
him considerable time daily, and by
his counsel and occasionally by one or
the other of the sheriffs. His behavior
in prison was uniformly becoming, and
he bore himself to the last with great
fortitude, submitting himself at the same
time with affectionate dooility to the ex.
hortations Of his priest and gratefully
receiving the consultations ofreligion. BE
was never undulybuoyed up by the efforts
| made out off doors to reverse his sentence,
| but rather welcomed the repeated res
pites as affording him further time to pre-
pare himself for the worst, should 1t come
to that. he died without making any
confession Of the crime of which be was
convicted, 80 far as any of the authori-
ties are informed. What he may have
said to his priest, ifanything, in reference
to the murders may never be divulged.
All that is known is that he gave him
g immense satisfaction" to use that gem
tleman's own expression, by his humble
and penitent demeanor, his extraor-
binary fortitude, and by the earnestness
with which he strove to prepare himself
/ for his end. Yet there was this pecu-
liarity about him, as observed more than
H. &c he IN
visits to him after sentence, that be never
absolutely denied his guilt. On those
occasions, whenever he referred to the
crime, he always said he had been con-
victed on insufficient evidence, and that
he was not guilty of murder.
Since the execution the police who
have guarded the prison of Newgate for
menths past have been relieved.
Barrett, after bowing, looked
slightly upward, with light in his eye
that reflected no fear, no dogged oh
stinacy, no anger, no defiance, no regret.
The glance, like his every movement.
was eloquent with a marvellous frmness,
which appeared to be grounded on far
higher basis than the animal daring that
the hardened not unfrequently show
when brought to this dire extremity.
II seemed that Barrett thirsted for and
obtained parting glimpse Of the bright
su as it illumined the upturned faces of
the expectant crowd, and be thsn turned
away from crowd and sun, and submitted
to the degrading ordeal that crowd and
sun ought to weep to witness. Calcraft
"a. L 4 Al \ L.. ,Ln. IL
the moose over Barrett's head, adjusted
it round his neck, drew the white cap
over his face, and strapped the lower
limbs, not without nervousness, but yet
with business like air not pleasant to
see; the priest never relinquished the
pinioned hand until the drop fell, con-
iinued increasingly with the devotions
suitable for the occasion. Barrett stood
upright, motionlesssas rock, with head
boldly raised, waiting his fate. If his lips
moved the movement could not be seen
through the covering, and there was no
sound of response to the ministrations of
nis spiritual adviser The hand of the
reverend gentleman was raised to speed
he fleeting spirit when the sound, once
heard never to be forgotten, rung out.
Calcrait had hurried from the scaffold,
aud with the hand employed a moment
before in q friendly shake with the con-
1ict had pulled back the bolt, aud the
Iound heard was the rattle of planks and
he heavy, dull fall of the body to the
'ope's end A general outcry of horror
rom men and boys, and few piercing
hrieks from some women, were fitting |
lccompaniments to the scene. The |
,riest was left alone upon the fixed part 4
# the scsfold, hisf hand still uplifted,
Fhile bis late penitent was gyrating hor-
IDLY in the vacancy below" sight to |
hudder at, not to see" Barrett was a
ong time before his sufferiugs were over.
'wo or three times when the officials
considered the work was done, the pow
rful frame trembled, and the knees
hook convulsively. This was repeated
ven after the swinging" had been
topped. m tff rssh
Calcraft said that from first to last Bar
ct never spoke a word; and Father
Iussey informed us that the fortitude aud
rmness and penitence shown by him Of
ate have been indesc2bsble The rev.
rend gentleman reg&,ied him in his
piritual capacity with much satisfsc-
ion. We could obtain no other informs.
ion as to what passed within the prison.
he officials certainly admitted the rep
esentatives Of the press, bat displayed
s much anxiety TO keep them sway from
be convict as If there was something |,
0 conceal or fear. The piniosing
) usually done so that they may
ritness Il, aud often the convict
, invited 10 say anything he may
esire with q view 10 publicity. On this
ccasion the pinioning was doue in
screi, very likely in the cell, the con-
emned nan was taken TO the galloWs
y some unknown and hidden route,
nd the representatives OF the press we're
kept out Of hearing until Bar
1T vas beyond the power Of speech
be exigencies Of the occasion might
ave rendered this necessary. bnt We
ave received no explanation Of the sx-
'aordiDary Circumstances, which We
'ould add. is quiie . novelty At the Old
alley. f.r
The usual Information was not off,
ally given 70 the press as 70 the con
cts deneanor and actions on the
orninG Of The execution; and the
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