Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-05-04
THE GAZLOWg.
Horrible scenes al an Execution
in Prince Edwards Island.

From the Charlotte, now Prince Edward
North Star, April 13.l
One Of the most frightful scenes which
ever occurred in 8 civilized land took
place on Pownsl Square, on Tuesday
last. We refer 20 the execution of
Dewey. A thrill Of horror ran through
the community as the details of the
frightful occurrence became known.
Even the large crowd present, OF all de-
grees OF society, were SO far moved at the
terri ble spectacle as to denOuDce, in loud
tones, the proceedings as murderous.
We have asked ourselves, in Gontempls-
ton Of the Dewey tragedy, whether we
live in a civiliz 3D. humane community,
and in the latter part of the nineteenth
century.
The prisoner did not appear to be the
least nervous or excited, and walked
firmly up the stairs, and on TO the plat
form, where a chair was placed for him
While he read his speech. He had no cap
on; a black overcOat was loosely thrown
over bis shoulders; his OverC0et aud vest
(nf black cloth we're open, showing his
shirt-front, with a miniature Of his wife
and mother attached TO his shirt b5sOm
he had on gray pants and psir Of SOCKS
Having seated himself on the chair, he
proceeded to read, In distinct and loud
voice, his confession Of guilt.
When he concluded his speech he was
conducted back to the inciosed portion
of the platform by the clergymen in at
tendance, where they engaged in prayer
for five minutes, the prisoner earnestly
Joining therein on mis- 0ended knees.
Dewey continued praying until the
hangmeD withdreW, and cut the rope
which held the trap. be Immediately
fell, and IN the descent the rope broke
about two feet above his neck and he
fell heavily on his side on the ground,
having fallen distance Of about sixteen
feet. He appeared stunned for q few
seconds, when be raised himself to his
knees and attempted to lOOssn the rope
around his neck.
When the prisoner fell, grest excite
ment pre96lled In the multitude, and q
general surge was made to break ia the
semi-circle formed by the guard. Capt.
Mcintyre promptly faced his men about
with fixed bsyOnets, which had the
| effect Of repelliBg the crowd, while the
uolieemen who were on the spot un-
| ioosed the rope from the prisoners neck,
1 and carried bim into the Jail, where he
was Immediately attended by DR.. Mack
eIson. Although much shocked, 1t was
diseovered that be had sustained no fatal
! injury. While the carpenters, under
the fuperinteDdsDce Of Mr.. w. Long
worth. we're refittiDg the gallows, the
prisoner, who appeared weak, was
/ fereed to lie down, and was offered
wine, which be refused.
When everyth thing was again ready-an
hour having elapsed in the preparations,
Dewey was carried out CT the jail and up
Oa the scsffold by COnstables Hearth and
Nj oQailt0n and two policemen. He was
seated in a chair while the same horrible
nreljminariss were sgain gone over by
| fha hangmen, and in this position the
sJgnal was given, the trap fell, the rope
Tnshed through the pulley for ths fall 0i
4 rec feet, but the weight and force Of
the suspeuded man were SO great that
tbe eIeat around which the rope was
fastened 80 as to allow OF more than the
three feet fail, gave way, and the rops
rushed through until the prisoners Leg
touched the ground. Out ofsheer mercy
several OF those on the scaffold seizsC
hold Of the rope and h0isted the crin1ina
, ab ut eight feet from the ground, and II
this condition he was allowed to hanl
for forty minutes, when he was cut dowr