The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-05-06

ana preSentment to CnelSed nOSpltal. with
his life we have little to do, save as re-
CARDS its close, which we shall shortly en-
deavor to describe far more yeraciously
and at some greater length than set forth in
the brief account which satisfied the public
Of his own day, and which as embodied in
the columns of the few journals then ap-
pearing, ran thus;
''On Monday last, Peter Starke was ex-
ecuted at Newgate, for the murder at the
wooden bridge, Chelsea, with four others
for various offences. After he had been
hanging for a few minutes respite arrived
but although he was promptly cut down,
life was pronounced to be extinct. His
body was buried within the prison walls"
Thus far for history. But the concise
ness of history far more frequently embed
les falsehood than truth. Perhaps the fol-
lowing narration may approach more near
ly to the facts:
A room within the prison had been, up
on that special occasion, and by high au-
thority, allotted to the use Of DR.. Carnell
and Mr.. Fiddyes, the famous sculptor, for
the purpose of certain Investigations con-
nected with art and science. In that room
Mr.. Fiddyes, while wretched Peter Starke
was yet swinging between heaven and earth,
was busily engaged in arranging variety
of implements and materials, consisting of
large quantity of plaster of Paris, two
large pals of water, some tubs, and other
necessaries of the molder's art. The room
contained a large deal table, and a wooden
cross,-not neatly planed and squared at
the angles, but of thick, narrow, rudely-
sawn oaken plank, fixed by heavy nails.
And while Mr.. Fiddyes was thus occupi-
ed, the executioner entered, bearing upon
his shoulders the body Of the wretched Pc
ter, which he flung heavily upon the table.
"You are sure he is dead?" asked Mr..
Fiddyes.
''Dead as a herring replied the otheA !;
"and just as limp as if he had only tainted" }"
''Then 60 to work at once,' replied the
sculptor, as turning his back upon the hang
man, he resumed his occupation.
The .'work' was soon done. Peter was
stripped and nailed upon the timber, which
was instantly propped against the wall.
''As fine one as ever | saw" exclaimed
the executioner, as he regarded the defunct
murderer with an expression of admiration,
as if in his own handiwork, in having alb
rupuy demolished such magnificent ami
NAL. 'Drops a good bit for'ard, though
Shall tie him up round the waist, sir?"
"Certainly not" returned the sculptor.
"Just rub him we'll over with this oil, espe-
cially his head, aud then YOU can 60. DR..
Carnell will settle with YOU"
"All right sir"
The fellow did as ordered, aud retired
without another word, leaving this strange
couple-the living aud the dead-in that
dismal chamber.
Mr.. Flddyes was a man of strong nerve
in such matters. He had been too much ac-
customed TO taking posthumous casts to
trouble himself with any sentiment of re-
pugnance at his approaching task of taking
what is called "pece mold" from body.
He emptied q number Of bags of the white,
powdery plaster of Paris into one of the
larger vessels, poured into il pail of wa
ter, and was carefully stirring up the mass,
when sound of dripping arrested his ear.
Drip, drip
"There's something leaking" he mutter-
ed, as he took up a second pail and emptied
it, again stirring the composition.
Drip, drip, drip.
''It's strange" he soliloquized, half aloud.
"There's go more water, and yet-'
The sound was heard again
He gazed at the ceiling; there was no
sign Of damp. He turned his eyes to the
body, and something suddenly caused him
a violent start The murderer was bleed
ing.
The sculptor. spite Of his command over
himself, turned pale, At that moment the
head Of Starke moved, clearly moved. 1t
raised itself convulsively for single mo-
ment its eyes rolled, and it gave vent to a
subdued moan Of intense agony. Mr..
tiddyes fell faiuting on the floor, as DR..
Carnell entered. 1t needed but glance to
tell the doctor what had happened, even had
not Peter ust then given vent to another
low cry. The surgeons measures were
taken. Locking the door, he bore chair
to the wall which supported the body of
the malefactor. He drew from his pocket
a case OF glitteriug Instruments, and with
one of these, so small and delicate that it
''S'itSiJ 9SCiiiOt SGI tuttu u uoGulC. lle
rapidly, but dexterously and firmly, touched
Peter just at the back of the neck. There
was no wound larger than the head OF a
pin, and yet the head fell instantly, as though
the heart had been pierced. The doctor
had divided the spinal cord, and Peter
Starke was dead indeed
A few minutes sufticed 10 recall the
sculptor to his senses. He at first gazed
wildly upon the still suspended body, SO
painfully recalled to life by the rough yene
section of the hangman, and the subsequent
friction of amounting his body to prevent the
adhesion of the plaster.
''You need not fear now," said DR.. Car
nell; 81 assure you he is dead"
''But he acas alive, surely!"
"Only for a moment, and even that
scarcely to be called life; mere muscular
contraction
The sculptor resumed his labor. The
body was girt at various circumferences
with fine twine, to be afterwards Withdrawn
through thick coating of plaster, so as to
separate the various pieces Of the mould,
which was at last completed; and, after
this, DR.. Carnell skillfully hayed the body,
to enable second mould TO be taken of
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