Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1873-04-05
Execution Of Foster in New York.

No execution that has taken place in
the United States for years has created
so much attention as that of Foster, the
car-hook murderer, of New York. Every
effort was put forth by his friends to
save the life of the murderer, and
money in almost unlimited amounts was
freely spent to save him. ClergymeD,
jurors, lawyers and leading citizens pc
titioned Gov. Dix for the life of Foster,
but in vain. The scaffold, which con-
sisted of two upright beams eleven feet
high, above which is a cross-beam four
teen feet in length, were all painted
dark dTab. In the center of the beam
was an iron ring, through which the
rope passed. The scaffold was erected
close to the cell of Foster, and from its
little window he could see every move
ment of the builders and hear every
blow they struck.
The Rev. DR.. Tying remained in con-
sultation with the prisoner for upwards
of three hours on Thursday night, at
the end of which time the mother of
Foster arrived, and the meeting be-
tween mother and son was extremely
painful; but that the mother spoke
words of hope and consolation was
clearly apparent, for at the end of the
interview Foster appeared more cheer
full and talked for some time to those
around him. Rev Mr.. Walker called
and shook hands with Foster, who was
lying on his bed, at the head of which
sat his wife, while at the foot was her
brother. Fosters aunt was the next
caller, who as soon as she met her
nephew burst into tears, which action
completely unnamed the prisoner.
She left the prison, and as she passed
into the street still held her handker-
chief to her eyes, unable to keep back
her tears. Shortly after Sheriff Bren-
nan arrived and repaired to the prison
er's cell, and after some relutance in
formed Foster that the last appeal had
been of no avail, and advised him to
prepare to meet his fate. The prisoner
received this information in silence and
with apparent fortitude. Mr. Brennan
then informed Foster if there were any
suggestions he wished to make in re-
gard to the carrying out of his execution
or if he desired to have any matters at
tended to within the power of the
Sheriff they would be carefully carried
out. Fosters only reply to this offer
was, "to allow as few people as possible
to witness his DEATH"
A few minutes after eight o'clock
Deputy Sheriff Seebacher, in as mild a
manner as possible, informed the wife
that the time had come when she should
leave her husband for the last time.
The announcement was received by
Mrs. Foster with shudder, and cast
ing sudden look at her husband she
found that his face had turned deadly
pale. The woman, in order to spare
: her husband, tried to control her feel
ings, but it was too severe test for her
,, already weakened nerves, and the next
moment the two were embraced IN
( each others arms. Even the deputy
l sheriffs, whose duty compelled them tc
( look on the scene, were finally compelled
l to turn aside. At this time the prison
s er's brother and brother-in-law were
also in the cell and weeping bitterly
4 Foster, on the other hand, manifested
:. much calmness, but his face was al
a white as sheet, and he kept up con
e tinual talking in order to cheer his wife
\ At last he, too, gave way, and a momen
l later his wife had swooned. Fearing
d that the woman would become deranget
: her two relatives bore her from the Gel
|. and then went back to bid farewell t.
a Foster, whom they found lying on tn
o bed with his face in his pillow. The
IL aroused him, and, after receiving hi
q last requests, babe final adieu and lef
q him forever. After lapse of thirt
l. minutes Mrs. Foster, who was scarcel
IS able to walk, passed from the Tombs
,, supported on either side by her tw
u relatives.
d At 81 minutes after 9 o'clock on FIR
Is day, the execution took place at th
'r Toombs, in the presence of about thre
,e hundred spectators. Foster marche
Is firmly from his cell to the gallow
rs scarcely muscle moved as he steppe
y upon the drop, and he died quickly, h
S neck being broken by the fall.