Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-07-12

Andrew @. Clark was executed at New Castle,
to-day at eleven minutes before IL O'Clock, for
committing rape upon the person Of Martha
Raikes. The circumstances Of the crime, and
the trial and conviction of Clark, have been fully
reported in the columns of the COMMERCIAL, and
need not now be re-stated. Clark is an Intelligent
colored man, about 81 years Of age, and large,
muscular person.
Since his conviction and sentence. q hAs been
diligent in making preparations for his death
which he knew was inevitable, but although the
evidence against him was positive, and conclu-
Bive, he denies any pAruclpAuon HhateFer IN
the crime.
In conversation with reporter Of the Com
MERoIAI. day previous to his execution, he
said he knew ne had to die, and was prepared
to die; that he was ipnocent OF the crime, and
that he was informed that the young colored
woman whom, it was said, be had outraged,
wanted to come and say she was mistakn in the
person. but he supposed she would be prevent
cd from doing 80 BY his enemies. he mas ou,
ring his incarceration, been under the spiritual
guide of Rev ]. B. Spottswood OF the Presbyte-
Iian church, and Rev. Henry ColclAzer OF the
NJ. Il. Church.
BEFORE THE EXECUTION.
The prisoner passed more comfortable night
than for several nights previous. Rising early
he requested that the Sheriff furnish him with
need,
The Sheriff very humanely complied with his
request and furnished him meal from his own
table Clark ate heartily, after which he smoked
a cigar, preserving the same calm composure
which distinguished him throughout his trial
and imprisonment About half p.st nine O'Clock
his father his wife, brothers, and several other
relations, came to take leave Of him, and stayed
with him about an hour, the time being spent In
exhortaton singing and prayer.
THE soAFFoLD
Was the same as used in the execution OF Arm
strong, Manluff, Carpenter and Peterson, the
rope being fixed for drop OF 1--we feet.
At IL o'clock the following jury was admitted :
VIM. Reynolds Samuel Handy, Jacob Richard
son. Israel II. Fols, G. l.. Jamison, WIN. her
bert, VIM H. Quinn, Edward NJ. Hastings, VIM
Gregg, Elisha Pyle, e. 8. Shaw, sAmi McDon-
nell, VIM. s. Gilbert, Henry Buxbaum
Rev Isaac Young and VIM. b. Green, pastors.
The prisoners were then all locked up in the
cells, land active preparation commenced tor the
execution. The crowd, which was not near 30
large as at former executions, owing to the de-
sire of the Sheriff to have it as private as possl
| be were admitted.
| At 20 minutes before IL O'Clock, the process
| zion began to move from the prisoners cell 70
the gallows first. the sheriff, and deputy sher-
| i'll Herbert, with the prisoner between tneni'
| followed by his spiritual adviser.
CLARK walked lightly along, and tripped up the
Rallows' steps, as il he were glad the END OF tne
| solemn scene was so near at hand. He stepped
| in front of the fatal drop and appeared to De
more calm and collected than any person on the
/ scaffold.
Rev. II. Colclazer then led in fervent prayer
| to the Throne of Grace, on behalf OF the priso
| ner, during which time he cast his eyes upward
occasionslly glAncing upon the crowd penes'n !.
his lips moving as if ear nestly engaged
prayer. -, a,-.,
At the close of the religious devotions sherii
Armstrong asked the prisoner IL he had anythin
to say.to which he replied he had nothing ,excep
that he forgave everybody ana was reAuy ~ ~
willing to die. Leave was then taken OF tn
Sheriff, his deputies, and the ministers present
when the moose was placed around his neck, an
q white cap drawn over his face. ,,-,
At this juncture, Clark expressed wish .
peak word to the colored minister's In atten
dance. when the CAP was removed, and Rev. MI
Green and Rev. Mr. Young were called upon tn
scaffold to whom he said he was going 70 glory
and wished them to meet him there. ms sou ~
be said, was now just on the verge OF eternit.
The scene at this moment was solemn and IN
I pressivs. respectful silence hung over tn
crowd some being affected to tears. A youn
white man by the name Of Cochran, from net
Odsssa and with whom Clark was raised gave vel
to his feelings. and expressed his pelet IN u
innocence of the prisoner.
Everything being in readiness, and the cap r
' adjusted Clark WAS requested TO step forwAi
9 upon the drop. He Immediately did 30, slngli
AZ went, in q loud and clear voice, without
tremor, the stanza. commencing with the foiio'
It | ing lines
i q am going down to the river,
It To be baptised"- =,
But lust as he had partially pronounced u
last word, the sheriff cut the rope, when /
= body instantly fell six feet, and was dangling
o the air.
/. There were few slight twitchss, and the ms
!: was dead The physicians, Drs Black Al
Groves, stated that his neck was broker, and
was insensible to pain. In l01S minutes At
the drop fell, his pulse ceased 10 beat, and
was declared to be dead;and in 10 minntes mo
- his body was taken pown and prepared
burial
Owing to the prevailing idea that the exec
tion was to be private, not more than 25O pc
sons were present, but none who behaved in
becoming manner were refused abundance.
It having been reported that Clark had ma
a confession to the colored olergynen there y
a general anxiety to know what it was pnt
- conversation with them it seems only 10 ma
been a reiteration OF his innocence and throw
the blame in q great measure upon the 3
upon whose testimony he was convicted. q
~ who he declared willingly complied with his