The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-26

or.settees, which the dying men had often occupied
and listened to the truths OF the Gospel but which
were now filled with thr0ng Of men TO witness
. ranv expistloa OF fearful crime Inc Gay WAS Vas
gloomy scene about to be enacted, and In departing
for another world 1t must have been source OF
some little satisfaction for them to leave this In its
most dismal aspect. Above the scaffold were
couple OF gaslghts burning brightly and In the CEN
over the culprits as they entered the place from
which their mortal spirit was to take its flight They
came IN with rm and steady step, both dressed III
an elegant suit OF black made up in the latest fashion,
In ascending the scaffOd both men gave searching
glance to the spectators who were aassembed, con-
sisting Of about fifty in number and including only
the reporters legal witnesses and few Of the lead
ing citlzens OF the vicinity. In taking their place
tS upon the drop Charles gave sad LOOK 20
ugly structure upon which they were standing. The
latter appeared COOL but the other was nervous and
agitated and apparently sought to control his feel
ings. For moment al was silent as a graveyard
at midnight, and then the sad stiffness broken
by Sheriff Knowlton who stepped forward ana
SILAs JAMES ANDCHARLEs T. JAMEs-Do you wish
to say anything ut this time, or 10 have ANYBODY say
anything for your If 80, you have now al opportu-
tunity.
TO this silas, the "General," replied:-
have nothing to say; but wish TO thank the
officers, who have been very kind TO me during my
confinement. They will please accept my cordial
thanks.
Alter a moment Of silence Charles stepped forward
and made the following remarks, maniiesting much
nervousness all the whiie:-
always like to hear what persons who are hung have
to say as their last words. would like to say that
entertain no hard feelings against the jury the
Judge who convicted aud sentenced me for my
crime. In regard to the evidence OF the witnesses,
and their testimony, cannot say that they TO
what was not so, bul they exaggerated little and
told more than was right. In regard to the execu-
ton OF myself would say, anu or course it would
be natural for me to say it under these crcum-
stances that do not believe in capital punishment
under any circumstances. would say, as we have
murdered Mr.. Clark, that know Of course that he
CIfT rad n n md hat
we are suffering an ignomonous death and are in
the same category which he 1t is OF course,
In accordance with the laws OF Massachusetts that
we are TO be executed, but don't know whether 1t
Will be Justified In the eyes OF God The State
Of Massachusetts, might make laws to execute every
man who stole four dollars worth, but that would
not prove that they would be justified In the eyes Of
God. But will not pretend to linger upon those
points, as know that 1t is useless to talk about
now But | would say, AS we are to be
executed, that we are suffering the same
gnomnloas death that Mr. r. clark suffered ed
death OF Mr. Clark. and therefore say that think
the execution is not really justified in the eyes OF
know that have not done His bidding; butof course
when we do wrong all we can do Is to repent OF our
and Me mas ms Una. e w eav re-
me and doth truly repent shall have everlasting
life." But do not pretend to quote Scripture; but
l wish to say that although die in accordance
with the laws Of Massachusetts, l have
kind word for the officers OF the prison. all OF whom
have my sincere thanks for their attentions. l
would also return thanks to Mr. Carter the taller.
He has been very good to us and done more than
his duty required. would also say good word for
Mr.. shipper, the chaplain and also for several other
ministers VINO have visited US and tried TO cultivate
Ill us religious feeling to make us think OF heav
Gully things, and not to think OF those things which
are so much OF falacy here on earth, but to place
our minds on heavenly things II we would have God
with US. don't know that can say anything more
wen.
= When the condemned man had finished his dying
words the sheriff called upon Chaplain Shppen who
oil the men about to die During this the eyes or
Silas were fixed upon the floor Of the scafod while
Charles looked sadly and nervously upon those who
were gathered around him. When the Chaplain had
finished he shook the pinioned hands of the con-
demncd, saying Good bye, God bless you and have
mercy on your sous'' TO which they both responded
by saying FAREWELL Heaven bless yOu Mr.. Shppcnn
that he had received warrant directing him to
execute the death penalty upon Silas and Charles
I. James, and That the instrument would be read by
Mr.. John A. Dana, Assistant Clerk OF the County
Court. Mr.. Dana read the document accordingly,
which was as fOlows:-
TIE COMMONPLACE ,g OF MAsssoausrrrs TO JOIN S. C.
or WORCESTER GREETING
wort n the county ter on the
and a 81 Iap ora and one
o. Of the % & s9nysea
sentenced for said crime suffer the of
exemplitcatIon of the court which have
We therefore you that upon Friday, twenty,
aaa as the Of n
O'Clock before and twelve O'Clock meridian Of the
areeaby he provisions Of the Chapter Of
general statutes cause execution OF the said
upon them the said sas James and Charles T. smss for
at your peril and return warrant with your do
ass % Ss s The NIECE within
Witness, his Excellency ALExASDEs II. BULLocK with
aa,sd Boston tenth day July year OF our
Lord thousand eight hundred and five and ninety
by his Exeeeney the Governor with the sdvice and
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
During the reading of the fatal warrant the depu-
ties who accompanied the condemned men to The
scafiold commenced adjusting the rope about their
necks and drawing the black caps over their heads
To tins Silas submitted without remark but Charles
wished To hold on 10 life until the last moment and
objected To the cap being drawn down until the
reaing OF the warrant Lad been finished. The OIL
the performance OF their disagreeable duty.
When the caps had been drawn down
ana Mr.. Dana had finished reading the
voice OF Charles vas heard nteriDg the Lords prayer,
and when he had reached that passage OF Thy viii be
done on earth AZ IL Is done in lieaveD," the signal
was given the fatal spring touched and the bodies
Of the two unfortuirates dangling in the air,
and their souls ushered INTO the presence OF their
Maker. The General died without struggle and
mis- neck apparently broken by The fall Charles,
even while suspended from the terrible scat
fold, chung to life with the utmost ten
acity. lie struggled drew up mis- lcys dozen
times or more and his entire body shOok violently
while every now and then his gr0ans and occasional
long drawn Drcatlis broke the SAD aud painful still
ness which pervaded the prison sanctuary. The
scene altogether was oi painful Interest aud
could hardly be tolerated except upon recalling the
fearful crime OF which the men guilty.
The bodies hung about half an hour. when the
surgeon announced that death had ensued. They
were then cut down aud placed la collins and in
few minutes were board the Providence train
route 10 their place oil buria IA Wes, Greenwich,
X. L.
Appointment Of the Day for the Execution of
William r. Foster.
BALTIMORE, Nd. sept 25 1868.
The execution OF william =. Foster (coiored), who
was convicted OF the murder of Emelne Parks ALSO