The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1873-03-26
The Doomed Foster-His Condition.
New YORK, I
\ March 20. {

Foster passed the day quietly ant
remained during the greater part o
the time in his cell; he heard in til,
morning Of the final effort of his coun
sci to prevent, on legal tecl.nicahty
his execution tomorrow, and his hopes
revived. On receiving intelligence
that the effort had proved vain, he be-
came very detected, hung his head OIL
Ills breast, and desired that no one
would speak to him except his wife
She had tainted on hearing of the fail
ure of the last etfolt t, and on recovering
she returned to her husband. and, pla-
eng her hand in his, sat BY him fol
hours but spoke little.
About lali-past 8 this evening the
final parting between Foster and his
wife took place. Both were deeply af-
frcted. He kissed her repeatedly, and
she clang to him until overcome with
emotion SHE tainted, and was carried
away by her brother. The prison Of.
icials were deeply moved by the scene.
Rev. DR.. Tying spent upwards of an
hour this afternoon with Foster, who
listened earnestly to his exhortations.
The doomed man was also visited dur
ing the day hy bis brothe's-in- law, his
fnther, aud by Father Duranquell, a
Catholic priest, but refused to undergo
the ordeal of parting with his children,
whom he has mol seen since his arrest.
new YonK, March 2l.-Toster was
executed at seventeen minutes past 8
O'Clock, this morning.
Foster awake at ! o'clock, partook of
a cup of coffee, but eat nothing. He
was very pale and his strength seemed
fast faling. He was attended by the
Rev. DR.. Tying and Rev. Mr.. Schoon-
maker, Chaplain OF Sing Sing. He en-
gagged in devotional exercises until 9
o'slack at II minutes past 8 he was
led out, supported by Sheriff Brennan
and the under sheriff.
Foster walked unfalteringly to the
>castnld-lis face had a hectic flush
Ari, ed beneath the scaffold, the Rev.
Dir. Tying, assisted by the Rev. Mr.
Scho"nmaker, read the 5lst Psalm
AS The solemn words were read, IN
which the Rev. DR.. Tying bcsought
5"d to open the eye of mercy unto
this, Thy servant" the scene was
'ushed and impressive in the extreme.
onring the reading of the sentence
1os!er stood beneath the scaffold, his
read bowed down and his left hand
shading bis eyes.
Rev. DR.. Schoonmaker shook hands
With him, and said, "God bless thee,
ny dear friend.'
At 9l:7 the bolt was drawn and the
'"dy rose into The air. The condemn
d man gave one slight struggle, only
o slight as to be almost inn ercepti
We. There was an absence of the usu-
! movement of the shoulders a sliuht
natracton of the lower limbs and a
'areiy rerceptible motion of hands was
hse'ved. After hanging Ave mitfhtes
he body was lowered about 8 inches.
nd minute thereafter about a foot
l,tler.
Twelve minutes after tie bolt had
cen drawn, the pulse ceased to beat,
nd Foster had died almost without
rusglc. s
1t was evident during the reading of
re services that he Was rapidly sink
g and scarcely able to stand. The
nysclans noticed this, aud the Rev.
.r Scl"onmaker had but just shaken
'nds with Foster, aud said, GOOD
'e, God bless you, my triend,n when
e fatal bolt was drawn.
After being allowed to hang a little y.
'er twenty minutes, the body was =.
we'ed into a coffin and conveyed into ,
e dead house of the Tombs, whence
will be taken to-day to the residence
Fosters widow. The intern eut will