The New York herald., 1873-08-23
Scafold Scenes at TOwSOntOwn and
in Baltimore City.
Female Honor and the Security Of Hu-
man Life Vindicated.
Last Moments on Earth and Moving
to the ScaffOld.
by THE NECK TILL YOU ARE DEAD
Vests Confession and
PRAYER.

PRAYER.
BALTIMORE, August 70, 1873.
The execution Of Levin Palmer, for outrage, tool
place at Towsontown the county seat Of Baltimore
county, soon alter seven O'Clock this morning.
THE CRIME
was committed on the Sd OF August, 1870. on q Ger
man girl named Mary sengle. The girl and an Old
man named Adam Beckel were going out at night
ON one of the roads near Baltimore, to search fol
berries, when they were assailed by Palmer and
another negro named Pritchard. The old man was
beaten until he was insensible, and the girl out.
ragged The negroes were employed on q farm near
by, and were soon afterwards arrested and identt.
1ed by their VICTIM Before. the trial occurred Pal
mer escaped from the Towsontown JAIL. but
Pr1tchard was convicted and hanged in Septem-
ber 1871. After his escape Palmer went to sea
and on landing in Baltimore last December from q
West India voyage he was detected, tried and con.
ycted. He denied his guilt until short time ago,
when he made full confession, the details OF
which are unfit for publication.
SKETCH OF THE CONVICT.
Palmer was heavy mulatto, with dull, good
natured face, thirty live years DID, and was born in
Talbot county, Maryland. He was Industrious
man, had never been in any previous
trouble, and had served with credit in the
federal army He said he ielt happier
after he had made his confession, and was ready to
die. West, the negro who was hanged at Balti
more to-day, wanted Palmer to become a Catholic,
but the latter turned to Methodism. and has been
attended by the Rev. J. b. stitt, OF that Church.
During the last month he became an enthusiastic
reigionist. He did little else but pray and sing
and at night he would keep the other inmates OF
the jail awake with his oud shouting. He has ex-
hibited no fear and has expressed willingness to
die at any time.
When his death warrant was read, he said that
he had had two years longer 10 run than he ought
TO have had, and wished that he could be hanged
Immediately. He has shown some other singular
characteristics On Wednesday the Sheriff came
10 measure him, to secure the measure for the cap
and shroud, when he begged that they might be
white, instead OF black, and at gave the cor
rect dimensions OF his figure. He asked that he
might be hanged at night, so that no one could
witness his death; and when the Sheriff told him
that was impossible he begged that 1t should take
place very early in the morning.
He passed
HIS LAST HOURS
, on earth very quietly On Thursday afternoon his
mother, uncle and aunt said farewell to him and he
remained in company with his spiritual adviser for
@ few hours. lie dictated letter to his brothers
sisters full OF the stock religious expressions
common to doomed criminals. In 1t he said:-
''You all may have this world but give me Jesus,
for heaven is my home; there / shall see my
brother and sister, and hope to meet West who is
10 go at the same time, and also hope to meet
Hollohan and Nicholson" Palmer had been church
member and so far as a OF his stolid
temperament could be, he seemed repentant.
After eating his supper last night, he went to
sleep, and was awaked at midnight to see his
uncle, who had brought out coffin for him. He
remained awake few moments, during which he
cracked a joke with one of the Deputy Wardens
and then resumed his slumbers. He woke up at
half-past four this morning, and Immediately COM
menced singing and praying. He swept out and
cleaned up his cell regularly as he has done every
day, and seemed to take as much pains as ever TO
nX things neatly. Then he lit q cigar and stood
In the door Of his cell smoking occasionally saunt
ering up and down the corridor, and exchanging
commonplace remarks with other prisoners. His
bearing was wonderfully COOL showing no traces OF
religious excitement or physical dread. He was
ANXIOUS for his breakfast and made very hearty
meal.
At half-past six O'Clock Rev. Mr.. Sttt was admit
ted TO his cell. Palmer shook hands with him and
DEvoTIONs
Palmer became somewhat excited, and beloved
his prayers and hymns in a loud, harsh voice
which reverberated through every corner of the
few minutes after seven O'Clock Shesin Robin
son and his deputies entered with
which had been made OF white muslin. to accom-
nOdate the wishes OF Palmer He was standing at
Ihe end Of his cell awaiting them with conposure.
He had on white shirt and collar, white neckte,
gray vest dark striped trousers and button CATERS.
He smiled once or twice when some one would
address him; bun for a moment his fortitude for
sook him and his knees shook under him. He
quickly recovered his compOsure and held out his
hands to be p:nioned. As 1t was done he raised his
eyes as II in supplication. As soon as the shroud
had beed butt0ned about him the Sheriff started ior
THE sCAFFoLD.
al hoa fp1 in 10
IN full view from the surrounding elevations and
Iom many houses in the town. 1t had been In
To-Day on picnic TO prevent them from witnessing
the dreadful sight. But yesterday multitude OF
little ones played over the scafiod, and one in
genous boy made perfect model OF 1t, IN which
ne hanged an ehigy to the great delight of his u:
structure, and was the same as had been used ior
The execution OF Prtchard, the accomplice OF
Palmer. Palmer could see IL from his cell window,
was IN process OF erection.
THE EXECUTION
was nxed az the earliest possible hour, in accord
great crowd who would have gathered to witness
The sight II 1t had occurred later In the day. 1t
was twenty minutes past seven when Palmer was
led ont frou his cell, his religious adviser having
taken leave. AS Palmer came out OF the cell he
said, ''Cood by old jail" and walked along the
corridor d1wn % tne STATS @ an9 S ncrosS rs, inc ground
we're all at their cell windows looking at the
nournful procession. Many OF them were in a
great state OF excitement and the warden, fearful
hat they would cry and shout as at the execution
d Pritchard, had taken the precauton TO enjoin
silence upon them.
Just before passing through the doorway Palmer
stopped and, looking around on the awestricken
aces, said, "Goodby, friends and relatives and
al; Tn going home 10 Jesus" Some OF them
sailed out, "Goodby, goodby"
The procession then passed through the door
way, which opened very close to the steps OF the
scafYold. The prisoner was accompanied by the
Rev. Mr.. Stitt, Sherin Robinson and two Deputies.
IL was just twenty-five minutes alter seven as
0p oSre
persons within the jail yard, and some dozen o
spectators had congregated on the hill outside.
The early hour device had proved successful, and
the thing done before fifty people In the little
town knew OF 10.
As Palmer stood upon the scaffold he said IN q
low tone, inaudibie except to those around him,
'G0d be mcrciful TO me sinner.v