The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-10-12
FROM FORTRESS MONROE.
The Execution of John Perkins-H Is
Crime-The Scenes and Incidents at the
GallOWS.

The Execution of John Perkins-His Is
CrIme-The Scenes and In ncIdents at the
GallOws.
FORTRESS MONROE, Va, Oct. 9.-Yesterday
afternoon John Perkins was hanged in the jail
yard at Portsmouth, Va. for committing rape
upon the person OF Miss Ford, of Norfolk
Perkins, who was oris inalIy from Wax efeld,
New Hampshire, and came south in 1861 with
the Second New Hampshire volunteers was
engaged as laDorer upon farm near where
Mrs. Ford lived.
Upon the SLh of June last. he. in company
with two negroes, named Ben. Johnson and
Fawkes, proceeded to the house OF Mrs Ford
at about midnight, broke N the door, and began
robbipg the house. Mrs Ford came ouG of her
chamber to see what caused the distur oaace.
when she was seized by Johnson, thrown down
and choked, and threatened with having her
throat cut with razor If sne uttered word,
while Perkins rushed into the chamber, seized
Miss Ford. and accomplished his purpose. They
carried away with them some two hundred dol
lars of currency and silver, besides several
small articles which they could conveniently,
Upon the first appearance of day Mrs Ford
proceeded to a neignbor's. and told them what
who were well known to her. a war; ant was
at once issued, and two OF them. Perkins and
Johnson, were arrested the next day, but
Fawkes succeeded in making his escape, and
has not since been apprehended.
They were duly tried at the recent term of the
Norfolk County Court, aud both were sentenced
to be hung, the time being liked for the I'd in
slant. Preparations were made, the scaffold
spite Of eight @ days % was SCI sent S by teegrsph rom
Governor ii. IL. Welles, he having been tele-
graphed by parties in Norfolk that these men
If proper time was allowed them, could prove
their innocence.
The evidence referred to was forwarded to
Govern or Welles, and although 1t did not have
the desired effect in Perkins case, yet it ob.
tanned for Johnson a Communication to tmprison-
delight, as he cried OUT 'Thank God I'd rather
stay there thousand years than to die.' Inc
spirit of the whole affair, the others, no douot,
joining in for the sake of plunder, and that,
therefore, he could not show him any clemeLcy.
The prisoner was visited frequently, while
in confinement by Rev. Father Plunkett of
the Catholic Church, which religion he en-
braced, and had The sacrament administered
to him shortly before the execution. The scat
fold was situate at the southwest corner of
was wa y seventeen teen feet high. with six feet drop.
Around the scaffOld was drawn q detachment
of the 2lst United States Infantry. under com.
of this were large number OF spectators.
Perkins was brought from his cell at quarter
kett. After being shrouded and pinioned, he
was led by the two Deputy Sherifts to the scat;
made a long and fervant prayer The Sheriff
then read the sentence of the court to him, and
informed him If he had anything to say he
He stepped forward, and with the utmost
composure said:-"Gentlemen:-I suppose that
cent; though there is a just God VINO knows
that L don't know whether Sarah Ford is
man or woman. am as guiltless of the charge
as the angels in heaven"
After thanking the officers OF the Jail and
Father Plunkett for their kindness to him, and
bidding them all good bye, the moose was ad-
justed, and at precisely half past the drop fell,
and tfe spirit OF John Perkins returned 10 the
God who gave it. He was calm and collected
to the last, and died protesting his innocence.
He died very easy, the fall having broken his
neck, and after remaining thirty minutes the
body was cut down, and placed in a coffin for
tnterment. There was large crowd or specta-
Tors present, and every available space was
occupied, but no disturbance whatever oc-
Cured.
(The above are the full details of the execu-
tion, which was simply adverted TO by the
morning Journals-ED. EVE. TELEGRAPH)
Ship News.
The steamer Rebecca Clyde. Captain Chiches-
ter, from Wilmington. N. O., with a general
cargo for New York. VIII lie off Hog Island yes
terday, discovered some arrangement In her
steering apparatus. and upon examination
found The rudder had broken of. The Captain
rigged temporary one, and came In for naroor
and repairs. In Roads, barque Traveller, Rio
for New York; barque Hunter, Swan Island for
Philadelphis; barque Seneca, Baltimore for
Mediterranean; brig Lizzie Daniels, Rodonda
for Baltimore. and q large fleet OF coasters; Put
back, brig ToTrid Zone, for New York. Wind
fresh from north to northeast. Arrived, United
States revenue cutter Northerner, from Balti.
m