The New York herald., 1871-03-23

rse scafod question they flied out.of the rate, the
rssive holts shot into place and silence reigheo III
fiitton had lived with the widow OF a man named
Adams who, IL had been whispered, BrItton helped
out OF the world in order to possess the wife, but
the proof was not considered strong enough aud he
was never prosecuted. He was married TO Adams
widow lust after Adams' DEATH and lad one daugh-
ter hy her. Mrs. Adams having had another daugh-
ter by her former husband.
THE CONDEMNED AND HIS FAMILY.
The stepdaughter ana mother called to see Brit
ton last night anu wnen the time came 10 say 1are-
wen the siendaughter fainted and remained
His own daughter called this morning and spent
some time with her father. She was much
Brtton u broke @ down am and Sob sobosd % like ehd When
the time came for parting the Deputy Sherf handed
Britton some breakfast. As his daughter left tho
stlll crying. So soon rs she had disappeared ne
dropped the handkerchief and his tears stopped
flowing IN an instant and he sat down and ato q
TIE CoLoREp MINISTER'S,
Rev, J. W. Jones, OF Washington, and Rev. Mr.
singer, or Wllamsporf accompanied by the Rev.
Mr Herr, OF this city, entered BrItton's cell about
nine O'Clock, and remained with him, engaged In
prayer, up to the hour OF execution, with the ex-
cepuon OF half an hour spent In eating his din.
ner After dinner he smoked his pipe and
conyersea witn ms spiritual advisers until the me- ar
twenty minutes past twelve O'Clock and informed
HIM that lie had but twenty minutes to iive Very
folded arms and rolled up the whites OF hts eyes.
The sheriff departed and Kev. William Harding and
~. II.
pany with the colored clergy man, united III PRAYER
ana conversation with Britton. They did every thing
to induce him TO confess II he had committed the
murder, but he sOdly refused to do 80, still main.
tanning his innocence. The Sheriff again entered
at 1850 aud Informed Dritton that his time was up
and asked, "Are you readyf" Britton replied,
"ies sir.n
THE PROCESSION
was then formed, as follows:-Two clergymeh,
Sheriff Patt and ex-Sherllr Mccormick; Britt0n,
supported by Deputy Sheriff Buck and Chief Of
Police Coder, followed BY the Grand jury and re.
porters. The condemned walked with a firm step
md did everything in his power to assist the cere
monies.
ON THE scAFFoLD.
Arrived at the Eallows he was required to stand
before the curious gaze OF 800 spectators which he
did without finchlny. He mounted tho steps in
company with the clergyman and seated himself on
chair. Rev. J. II. Ockerman read the 1fty.frst
Psalm, Brltton at the same time praying in q low
tone. When the reading was finished Sheriff
s sspps hs Tas SO sSaa vs
emotion that he could i, oaly with the
document. Rev. William Hardin then engaged IN
% iinisSed Sheriff Sheriff }iass % sald:m.Brllon 'y you have ave
Ste Stepped s forward ard to TN the railing ana said: ~ A
.Gentlemen, ! am here gong TO be hung. did
not kill Jake Bay, nor nothin' had killed Jake
de reseated himself. but rose immedlateyto shake
hands with MS spiritual advisers, repeating 10 each
sne pats turn Brtons arms were
and he had to reach around and shake hands from
behind. The kind hearted Sherlr laid hls hand over
Britton's heart and asked him to be firm. Briton
said, II am, believe mel remain firm."
THR ROPE WAS THEN ADJUSTED,
his legs shacked and the black cap drawn over his
face. At a wave OF the handkerchief Sheriff Piatt
pressed the lever at exactly three minutes to one
O'Clock. The bolt shot back, the floors swung apart
hung exactly thirteen and half minutes, at the
end OF which time life was pronounced extinct and
the body was cut down. laid In the coffin prepared
to receive It, and was conveyed TO the negro ceme.
terry near this city.