Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-04-17
Execution Of Foster in New York.

No execution that has taken place in
the United States for years has created
30 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 cross-beam four
teen feet in length, were all painted q
dark drab. In the center of the beam
was an iron ring, through which the
rope passed. Tie 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 lett 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
els 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 q
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 q 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 a test for her
already weakened nerves, and the next
moment the two were embraced IN
each others arms. Even the deputy
sheriffs, whose duty compelled them to
look onthe scene, were finally compelled
to turn aside. At this time the prison
er's brother and brother-in-law were
also in the cell and weeping bitterly:
Foster, on the other hand, manifested
much calmness, but his face was as
white as sheet, and he kept up q CON
tinual talking in order to cheer his wife,
At last he, too, gave way, and moment
later his wife had swooned. Fearing
that the woman would become deranget
her two relatives bore her from the Gel
and then went back to bid farewell t.
Foster, whom they found lying on tht
bed with his face in his pillow. The.
aroused him, and, after receiving hi
lastrequests, bade final adieu and lef
him forever. After a lapse of thirt,
minutes Mrs. Foster, who was scarcel.
able to walk, passed from the Tombs
supported on either side by her two
relatives.
At 21 minutes after 8 o'clock on Fri
day, the execution took place at tn
Toombs, in the presence of ABOUT thre'
hundred spectators. Foster marched
firmly from his cell to the gallows
scarcely q muscle moved as he steppet
upon the drop, and he died quickly, hi
neck being broken by the fall.