Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-03-27
Two Executions.
WILLIAM FOSTER.


Foster was executed at seventeen min
utes past nine o'clock this morning. AS
early as seven o'clock this morning sew
eral hundred people had assembled in
front of the prison, anxiously awaiting
the moment when Foster, the murderer
of Putnam, would be led to the scaffold
and yet not one in twenty of those who
waited so patiently outside had the slight
est chance of gaining admission within
the precincts of the prison. Foster was
attended by Rev. DR.. Tying and Rev.
Mr.. Schoonmaker, Chaplain at the Sing
Sing prison. He engaged in devotional
exercises till nine o'clock.
GOING To THE SCAFFoLD.
| At eleven minutes past nine he was
led out, supported by Sheriff Brennan
and Under Sheriff Slower Foster walked
unfalteringly to the scaffold. His face
had a hectic flush. Arrived beneath the
scaffold, Rev. DR.. Tying, assisted by
Rev. Mr.. Schoonmaker, read the fifty
| first Psalm. AS the solemn words were
read in which the Psalmist besought
God to open the eye of mercy unto this
thy servant, the scene was hushed and
impressive in the extreme. During the
reading of the service Foster stood be-
meath the scaffold, his head bowed down
and his left hand shading his eyes. Rev.
DR.. Schoonmaker shook hands with Fos-
for and caid
''GoD BLESS THEE, MY DEAR FRIEND. v
At seventeen minutes past nine the
bolt was drawn and Fosters body rose
in the air. The condemned man gave
one slight struggle, only so slight as to
be almost imperceptible. There was an
absence of the usual movement of the
shoulders; there was a slight contraction
of the lower limbs and barely percep-
tible motion of the hands. After
HANGING FIVE MINUTES
the BODY was lowered about nine INCHES
and ii minute thereafter about a foot
further. Twelve minutes after the bolt
had been drawn the pulse ceased to
/ UGdbs COStCl htkOl OlCNt ttllIItJSb Nilhpul a
struggle 1t was evident during the
reading of the service that he was rap
idly sinking and scarcely able to stand.
The physicians noticed this, and Rev.
Mr.. SHOEMAKER had but just shook
hands with Foster, and said "Good bye, "
when the fatal bolt was drawn.
DISPOSITION OF THE BODY.
After being allowed to hang little
over twenty minutes, the body was low
cred into the coffin and conveyed into
the dead house of the Tombs, whence it
will be taken to-day to the residence of
Fosters devoted widow. The inter
ment will probably take place on Mon
day next. At twenty minutes before
ten crowd of deputy sheriffs and 9th
ers, of one hundred and fifty persons,
who had gained admission to witness the
execution, slowly made their exit from
the scene
THE CRIMINALS LAST HOURS.
Up to late hour last night Foster
chung to the hope that help would come
from some quarter. He seemed to
have faith in the endeavors of his coun-
sci to obtain writ of prohibition from
the Supreme Court to prevent the Sher-
if carrying out the execution but when
this last hope failed he seemed to begin
to realize his terrible condition. Occa-
sionally he spoke to his keepers, Deputy
Sheriffs Hamburg and Esebacher, but
remained buried in thought for the
greater part of the time At three
o'clock this morning Foster retired
AND SLEPT soUNDLY
until seven, when he was awak.
cncd. lie refused food, and only
partook Of single cup Of coffee about
half-past seven O'Clock. Shortly before
eight Rev Dr. Tying arrived, accompan.
led by Rev. d. II. Walker. Rev Mr..
Schoonmaker arrived and remained with
him in his cell, engaged in devotional
exercises. Foster was much broken in
spirit, and had apparently lost all nerve
but as the hour appointed approached he
seemed
TO GATHER COURAGE.
At nine o'clock the Sheriff arrived.
and preparations for the final scene were
Immediately commenced. The Deputy
Sheriffs ranged themselves along the cor
ridor all in black garments, wearing
black gloves and carrying their slaves.
AT the gate to murderers' row stood the
Sheriff. AS the condemned came out
the Sheriff preceded him. The prisoner
was in a suit of black; his arms were
pinioned behind his back with new
rope passing over the elbows The I'M
certain swelling of his chest and his
heavy breathing betrayed his dread of
IGNoMINIoUs DEATH.
He devoted several moments to PRAYER
and then the executioner fastened the
moose that hung about his neck to the
| hook suspended from the cross beam
The black cap was pulled over his face.
all withdrew, and the condemned. hover
ing on the edge of the dark valley of
death, stood alone, the muscles of every
limb twitching with dread at the fate
with which he stood face to face. Foster
made NO remarks whatever while ON the
scaffold.
JAMES M0ELHANEY
BosToN, March 81.
James McElhany, who murdered his