The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-06-18

iout.
The Discourse here, owing to the rapt
j attention of both speakers, assumed o
low and earnest tone, but had perhaps
better be narrated by relation Of the
events to which it gave rise. suffice 1t
to. say that the Sovereign was more than
once mentioned during its progress, and
in manner which plainly told that the
two speakers each possessed sufficient
influence to, obtain the assistance Of
royalty, and that such assistance would
be required in their scheme. e.
The shades of evening deepened while
tho two were still conversing. And, leay-
ing this scene, let us cast one hurried
glimpse at another taking place contem-
poraneously.
Between Pimlico and Chelsea, and
across q canal of which the bed has since
been used for the railway termination at
Victoria Station, there was ut the time of
which we speak rudo timber footway,
long since Replaced by more substantial
and convenient erection, but then known
as the Wooden Bridge. II WIS named
shortly afterwards Cut-throat Bridge,
and for this reason:
While Mr.. Feddyes and DIR. Carnell
were discoursing over their wine, as we
have already seen, one Peter Starke, q
drunken Chelsea pensioner, wos murder
ing his wife upon the spot we have
last indicated. The coincidence was Gu
| rious.
In those days the punishment of
criminals followed closely upon their
conviction. The Chelsea pensioner whom
we have mentioned was found guilty on
Friday. and sentenced to die on the fol-
lowing Monday. He was sad scoun-
drel, impenitent to the last. clarifying in
the deeds Of slaughter which he had wit
messed and acted during the series Of
| campaigns which had just ended pre-
viously at Waterloo. He was tell, we'll
built fellow enough, of middle age, for
his class was not then as now, composed
| chiefly of veterans, but comprised Of
bled to be unfit for service. Peter
Starke, although but slightly wounded,
had nearly completed his term of SER
vice, and had obtained his pension and
presentment to Chelsea Hospital. With
his life we have little to do, save as re-
CARDS its close, which we shall shortly
endeavor to describe far more veracious-
ly, and at some greater length, than set
forth in the brief account which salts
fed the public of his own day, and
which, as embodied in the columns of
the few journals then appearing, ran
thus:
"On Monday last, Peter Starke was
executed at Newgate for the murder at
the Wooden Bridge, Chelsea, with four
others, for various offences. After he
had been hanging for few minutes, a
respite arrived, but although he was
promptly cut down, life was pronounced
to be extinct. His body was buried
within the prison walls"
Thus fur history: But the conciseness
of history far more frequently embodies
falsehood than truth. Perhaps the fol.
lowing narration may approach more
nearly to the facts.
A room within the prison had been,
upon that special occasion and by high
authority, allotted to the use of DR.. Car
nell and Mr.. Fiddyes, the famous sculp-
tor. for the purpose of certain investiga.
tions connected 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 moulder's art. The room con-
| oe@ihSo - Aai 20 uCaA tuDl6 Auu WOODEN
cross, not neatly planed and squared at
the angles, but of thick, narrow. rudely
sawn oaken plank; fixed by strong heavy
nails And while Mr.. Fiddyes was thus
occupied, the executioner entered, bear
ing upon his shoulders the body of tho
wretched Peter, which he flung heavily
upon the table.
"You are sure he is dead?" asked Mr.
Fiddyes.
dead MS n herring" replied the other
"And just as warm and limp as if he had
only tainted"
''Then 60 to work at once" replied
the sculptor, rs turning his back upon
the hangman, he resumed his occupa-
ton.
The "work" was soon done. Peter
was stripped, and nailed upon the tim
Der, which was instantly propped against
the wall.
Gas fine one as ever see," exclaim-
ed the executioner, rs he regarded the
defunct murderer with an expression Of
admiration, as if ut his own hnndiwork,
in having abruptly demolished such q
magnificent animal. "Drops good bit
1