The New York herald., 1869-01-08

before he red the fatal shot Hence the mystery in
s1ssS Ssss Ss Sass Ssg ss
dict Of guilty Of murder In the nrst degree. woolley
was sentenced to be hanged on Christmas Eve, bus
they considered an outrage on the OF great fes
tival that Governor Ward was induced to grant
reprievc, postponing the execution FOR two weeks.
Further efforts were now made to obtain commuta-
ton OF the sentence, and on Monday lastexGovernof
Parker waited on Governor Ward with petition.
ssnea On te aes sDd being y
vinced OF the justice OF the sentence he refused 90
the Court o. e s a ne ue pI NAN
and the scairod was reared III the jail yard at freo-
hold
When Woolley entered the prison he could neither
read WRITE but by patience and perseverance No
soon learned TO 40 potn. Inc shern Mr. 9 sonn a;
the prisoners spoke In the highest terms or Wo0ley1
conduct during his imprisonment He became quite
accessible to spiritual influences and was attended
frequently by an Episcopal clergyman. But the
thought OF death never seemed 10 trouble him. lie
looked upon the change from this life TO the next a.
an ordinary piece OF business lie had become
fav0rite with the officers and prisoners, who called
him "Uncle BILL" He took his meals retired to rest
and arose with great regularity. lie felt rather com
Portable ut times perhaps owing to his former wan
dcrng life and irregular haplts, which exposed him
INTERVIEW WITH wooLLEY.
On wednesday night about half-past nine O'CLOCK.
the reporters had an interview with Woolley, wns
apparent reserve: In consequences or the de.ect
already alluded to, he spoke many things which
ledge whatever OF the crime; he might OF
might not have committed it. lie was 50
S Of sefcontroi % and had no recollection % Of wnss
transpired on the fatal day. "Then,' observed the
representative OF the HERALD, edo you mean to say
that you would have shot any other person az vel
as Fleming who might have crossed your path luss
At that m0mentw TO which WooneS an answers y,'
his legs up on the bed and demeaned himself with
the utmost GOODNESS and cOmpOsure. He spoke Of hs
fate with wonderful reslgnaton accepted wsnSsl
He recited the history Of the whole TRANSACTION as ne
heard 1t from others. He did not remember cutting
his own throat Taking him altogether, he mani
tested an Indifference to the ignominous death
awaiting him that cannot be reconriled wih
there seemed to be no future His life mad
been continuous warfare. and he appeared to INA
relief in any change. Perception he had none ec- 20
disposition obtuse and his actions controlled mora
by the will OF others than his own. And yet he ap.
himself for q moment OF the recollection OF the
crime laid to Woolley's charge he would see In the
culprt one constituted to play no mean part on the
stare Of lfe II ever there was case OF irresponsi
blty In criminal this was One
AN EXCITING SCENE
The wife and children OF the prisoner had Q long
Interview with him on Wednesday. They talked
over the past, and when they rose to leave he wept
ans as ey for from his sight he
along look through the bars OF the gate after them
and when the sound of their feet had died away ne
sank into his cell with troubled spirit THIS was
the first perceptible change In his condition.
THE EXECUTION.
Woolley slept soundly during the night and arose
early yesterday morning, partaking OF very ntue
food. He was attired In suit OF black. After wash
ing himself. he passed around the cells and took bis
leave OF the prisoners. He remained afterwards for
two hours with the Episcopal and Metho-
dist cergymen. AT fifteen minutes before twelve
O'Clock the sad procession was formed, tno
prisoner pinioned In his cell and the BLACK cap
placed on his head by Deputy Sherln John Neane.
He asked for a drink and q bite OF All apple, which
were given him. He marched out with sTong
nerve, descending and ascending without any dtf.
hculty till he took his stand on the plat
form. Here Sheriff Paterson read the death
warrant, to which the prisoner 0listene
with great attention, careessly striking mn
hands against his sides. He then took leave Of his
requested the sheriff not to have any delay. bus
perform the work as quickly as possible. The black
cap was drawn over his face at five minutes before
twelve, and for moment he trembed. Fifteen
seconds had not elapsed, however, when tho
body was raised height OF two feet above
the platform. There was no thud, no JERK
and sickening concOmitant OF the strau-
Cling process which degrades civilization. Tho
body rev0lved three or four times, slight move
ment OF the legs followed, then all was still In
beat in fifteen minutes and william N Woolley had
crossed the portals OF eternity. The body was Gus
down at the end OF thirty minutes and given 70 his
friends. The neck was not broken group OF curious
women and children forced their way through win
dows to get a glimpse OF the spectacle. II may BE-
added that the jail or Monmouth disgrace to any
respectable community. Prisoners are huddled intg
o CRIB more like hogs than human beings. The seal
fold used was the same on which DOnnelly eXpl0ted
his crime eleven years ago this day.