Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-09-28
THE DOUBLE EXECUTION AT w0R-
CESTER. SETS.

From the Boston Advertiser, Sept. 26.l
Silas and Charles L. james, onvicted Of the
wIlful murder Of Joeepn q. Clark. al Worces-
ter, on the night OF the 2sth Of February last,
suffered the extreme penalty OF the la " yester-
day forenoon within the walls Of the county
jail IN Worcester. The grounds surrounding
the jail are so exposed TO view from the hills
in the vicinity that an execution taking place
there would be witnessed by thousands of
spectators; and IN view OF this fact IL was the
first design Of the Sheriff, Hon. John - &.
knewlton, TO carry out the sentence OF the
condemned men IN one of the passages of the
prison. But this was found 10 be inconve-
modations for witnesses, and it was finally
determined TO erect the scafold IN the chapel
attached to the Institution.
Between ana 10 o'clock, the Official wit
nesses, reporters OF the press. and other spec
tators, making company numbering about
sixty IN all, assembled in the Jail Office. At
twenty miputes after 10 O'Clock they were ad-
mItteo TO the chapel, and in seven minutes
afterwards the criminals were brought an. with
their arms pinioned, Silas walking erect, self
possessed, and with a sort Of dignity, while
Charles sauntered along in a careless manner.
SIlas was clad in a mulberry coat, light drsb
trousers and white waistcoat, and Charles
woe a suit of black. The attire of both pris-
oners was uim and neal They were aooom-
OF Worcester, Buttrick Of Fitchburg, and Hall
OF Grafton, and their spiritual adviser, Rev,
Mr.. Shipper.
With the exception of the transverse beam
overhead and its supports the scaffold was the
same as had been used IN several previous exc
cutions IN this State. In the center Of the
rallied platform, eight feet high, was the drop.
with the usual springs and pulieys. Above
Were suspended the fatal cords, four feet apart,
with two gas Jets 50 placed before them as TO
brIng out with distinctness the FEATURES OF the
prisoners as they took their places upon the
drop. Neither Of them manifested trepiaation
as they assembled the scaffold and took their
positions. Sheriff knowlton, standing on the
moor below, asked them if they had anything to
Hafnr skoa 49, a
answered that he had nothing TO say except 70
thank the officers who had had charge OF them
for their kind and gentlemanly treatment he
hoped he should meet them in another world
Charles spoke more at length, in n rambling.
incoherent manner, betraying great lack Of
education.
The chaplain then offered a fervent prayer.
During the prayer Silas stood with his head
bowed down and his eyes closed; Charles with
Epturned face and closed eyes. At the close OF
The prayer the chaplain took leave OF Them
takinS each by the hand as he did so, and saw
ing ssCiCd bless you" TO which both prisoners
responded a. the same language.
The sheriff now proclaimed that the execu-
ton was about 10 take place, under the au-
thority Of the warrant sig1eG oy hls kxceliency
Governor Bullock. which Wa aided 10 John
a. Dana, Esq, assistant clerk % the W 0rcester
county Coul -, 10 be read. During he read
ing OF the warrant the deputies place. tha
ropes about the necks Of the prisoners, and
covered their faces with the black caps. As
the moose was passed over the head of Slas be-
said: "Put the rope tight and give me all the
drop you can" Charles at the same time said
Z" am not ready" during the few remaining
moments, while standing with their faces COW
cred, Silas was silent, while Charles prayed
continually.
AT seventeen minutes 10 eleven O'Clock
Sheriff kDowlton said, s.In obedience 20 the
warrant, now proceed TO it's execution" As
the last word came from the sheriff's lips, ths
fatal spring was pressed by the foot of one of
the deputies, the drop opened and the prisoners
swiftly fell distance OF nine feet, hanging
with their feet within twelve inches of the
floor OF the chapel. Silas, who was much the
heavier of the two, oppeared 10 be killed in
stantly, making not the slightest motion after
he fell. Charles was conyulsed with quick
ylbratory motions for nearly five minutes
When the bodies bas been suspended TWEEN
ty-one minutes, they were examined by Drs.
knius Woodward, Of Worcester, and &. W.
Whitcomb, o: Barre, who detected no signs of
LIE ia either. Soon after wards Sheriff KnOgl-
ton said, The gentlemen who have been SO
kind as 10 witness the execution are now m
formed that II Is over, and nothing more re-
mans 10 be seen. They can retire if thew
choose Nearly ali the spectators then took
their departure.
The bodies were taken down after being sus-
pended thirty-seven minutss. The neck Of
Sllas was found 10 be oislocated. That of
Charles was unbroksn.