The New York herald., 1869-04-28

Execution Of Dewey, at CharlottetOwn,
Prince Edward Island.
HIS CON FEES SsION.
Fri&htfuI Scenes at the
ScaffOld.

From the Charlottetown prince Edward Norti
Star. April 1871
One OF the most trightiul scenes which ever oc-
Cured In a civilized land took place on Pownal
square on Tuesday last. We refer 10 the execution
munity as the details OF the rghtful occurrence be
came known. Even the large crowd present OF all
spectacle as to denounce in loud tones the proceed.
lngs as murderous. we have asked selves, IN
contemplation OF this Dowey tragedy whether we
live in civilized, humane community ana IN the lat
ter part OF the nineteenth century,
THE EXECUTION.
With q refinement Of cruelty, preparations IN the
jail yard for the erection Of The gallows commenced
Friday, previous to the fatal day. Three days of
continuous hammering took place, and each stroke
OF the hammer IMPLY served TO tell the wretched
man that lie was so far nearer eternity The gallows
was erected against the jail yard wall facing Pow
nal square. We copy from the Herald the following
description of the tragedy, together with an outline
contains the substance OF what he read although not
gwen il the order that he uttered it,
TIE GIBREr
is very simple In It's construction. Projecting some
feet from tile top OF the Jail fence the south
soe is platform OF rough boards This platform
is divided OF INTO about two equal parts, the inner
portion, or that nearest the fence. being boarded on
all sides 10 the height OF about eight eet to
prevent those inside OF 1t from being seen oy the
crowd below. rough staircase runs up to this in
closed part from the Interior OF the lail yard and
admits persons to the platform by door IN the
rear. In front OF the enclosure is a door which
admits the prisoner to the outer uninclosed part
OF the platform. This outer part constitutes the
drop or trap fastened at the inner end by hinges,
ana maintained III ITS HORIZONTAL pOSltlOn Df
ana puleys. immediately overhead ~ sort OF
crane, from which the fatal moose is suspended.
TIE PRISONER
heard OF his inevitable fate on Monday morning and
accepted the announcement with becoming forti-
tude. lie occupied the greater part Of Monday In
writing out The history OF his life, which he intended
reading on the ga0ws. AT eight O'Clock In the
evening lie was attended bv the Rev. Mr.. Panther
(Episc0paianl, who spent three hours with him AZ
eleven O'Clock the Rev. Messrs. Pope and Perkins
Wesleyans attended him until hafpaSt twelve
O'Clock He then retired to rest and slept
nntl
breakfast @ The Rev Mr. Farutner attended 'hiS him
about seven O'Clock on Tuesday morning, and en-
gaged with him In PRAYER ana reading the Bible
until nearly nine O'Clock After which the Rev.
Messrs. fitzgerald, Pope and PerAins entered, and
also engaged in prayer and other RELIGIOUS exercises
with him. The prisoner was resigned and even
cheerful in the belief that his sins were forgiven.
lie pariooS oi lunch shortly after eleven O'Clock.
The three reverend gentlemen last mentioned then
again engaged in prayer With the condemned man
and i'll this manner the time Ill up, until he
prepared TO mount the scarOid, AT haltpast twelve
O'Clock. He was attended
THE sCAFFOLD
by the following persons, and in The following
order namey;-Iie was preceded by sheriff Long
worth and Constabes Heartz anu McQullan: next
came the prisoner, arm IN arm with The Rev Mir
Fitzgerald, accompanied by the Rev. Messrs. Perkins
and Pope Or. MchieSon Deplty Sheriff +. Long
the number of those who were on the scafold. The
prisoner did not appear TO be the least nervous or
excited and walked firmly up the stairs and on to
the platform, where a chair was placed for him
while lie read his speech He had no cap on; q
black overcoat was loosely thrown over his shoui.
ders; his un lercoat and vest (of black cloth, were
open, showing his shirt front, with a miniature of
his vile and mother attached to his shirt bosom: he
had on gray pants and a pair OF socks Having
seated himself the chair he proceeded TO read in
distinct and loud voice.
HIS HISTORY AND CONFESSION
winch was written on Tour pages OF fooscap, has
been contded TO the Rev. NJ. Pope. Our reporter
has furnished us with the following outline taken
on the spot
'My dear friends, you look upon unfortunate
fellow being for the last time: but oh, take warning
by my sad fate and snun the causes which led TO INV
untimely end" lie then proceeded TO read from q
written paper an account OF his life. He began by
saying:-'I was born in the town OF Mo
AT an early age was left an orphan. my father
having died While was yet child. From my ear
lest years | was Of wild and reckless disposi.
ton. would listen to no advice from nv parents
When became old enough / was placed at q
trade; but ! ran away rom that Then |
worked In factory. and alter short time LETT that
also and ran away to sea. The first vessel shipped
In was steamer and leaving her traded between
Boston aud Prince Edward island for three OF four
years Getting tired OF that went to London from
which port went to the Mediterranean for a couple
OF voyages Afterwards sailed between Liverpool
New YORK and New Orleans. The latter city made
my home for several years. AT the breaking out OF
the war Ia the United states shipped board OF
Northern war vessel and served as master at arms.
i was liked by my officers for my courteous de.
meanor. Leaving the american navy again
acquaintance OF r. McQ--. During all INV
voyages, and when was in port, there was no
sin Of which was not guilty. You all know,
sailors resort to when on shore-brothels gambling
houses and taverns. If there should he any OF my
class here listening 10 me, beg OF them, as they
value their souls salvation TO shun those haunls Of
inlamy, which. Ia large towns, lead many to de.
stIueuon II any among my listeners should reco1-
nize IN the unfortunate cuprit now before them the
smart steward In whose obscene songs and ribad
jests they Joined beseech them. for the love OF
God to give up their EVIL ways aud return to God.
knew very little aDout religion In my youth and
what did know speedily forgot have said that
there Is scarcely any sin of which have not been
EilItf. ana these known only a ,oI nd
myself Thousands there are In the world
whose record is a. black and as heinous
as mine-whose lives are as wild aud as
reckless who never think OF their God or their last
end. 10 those would especially address myself
their ways, and while they have yet time, TO make
amefds Tor their past lives. TO you, my friends
advice. Never stray from the footpalhs OF virtue
Never forget the religious lessons and i'm.
pressions Of your youth. Never frequent
quit haunting taverns. But you may say,
we do not want your advice; we are neither drunk.
ards nor murderers. My friends ] never was a
drunkaftl and until the last few months was not
murderer But You see what did In moment OF
passion. Unless you have the grace OF God about
you. unless you reform your lives and become
truly peniten you cannot tell what your fate be.
My shipnlates in the Clara Novello were all CAV.
Reckless fellows. ln a moment, II may be, they
all summoned unprcpared before their God.
Therefore 1t IS that would impress upon your
memories TO do nothing which would cause YOU
single regret. Sealarlng men, would caution you
to avoid such stree,s as PARK lane In London; Bar.
rack street IN Liverpool; North street. m Boston;
Water street in New York; Empire street Nc In
New Orleans In these streets are located the iens
OF infamy which lead so many of our class 90 de-
structOn. When was brought 10 prison you may
depend, my friends, that | was sad aud detected
enough, anu so would You n you were IN nv po-
sitiOn A prison, even TO the least guilty II not q
place for pleasant memories. But TO me. u murderer,
everything looked blank and full OF despair Nothing
but gloomy walls around me aud the gnOst OF mur.
dered man continually looming up before me.
thought at first that there was neither hope nor
chance for my salvation. could not get any peace
OF mind After time, however, took my burden
ana lad II at the feet OF my l,edeemer, who with
His precious blood IL able 10 wash away my sins
aud yours too. my dear friends, be they ever so
black After my trial had some thought OF making
away Win myself; but as ! acquired peace Of mind
gave up the wicked idea. holy calm came over
me, and now am here reading as c0mposedly as n
nothing serious were about to happen me. Soon,
my dear friends shall he beyond the reach Of pain
and sorrow, OF sickness and o. death. Hearing that
my mother mad moved to the town or D ]
went 10 see hcf, for had not visited
her for eight years While ON the