The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-03-20
FOSTERS FATE.
FRIDAYS H4NGING THE PRIME SEN
SATIONI IN NEW YORK.

FRIDAYS H4NGING THE PRIME SEN
SATION IN NEW YORK.
Public Feeling with Governor Dix
The Last Hours of a Condemned-In-
sanity Of ssDictator' Train-Exposure
of Spfritualisttc Imposters-Beecher
and Ty- ldan on Spiritualism-.Dram ma =
tic Novelties.
(FRoM oUR OWN CORRESPONDENT
NEW YoRK, March l6.
The morbid interest in the case of Foster,
the car hook murderer, has increased with
the announcement that Governor Dix has dc
clded to let the law take Its course. The In
telllgence reached the city on Friday after
noon, and the streets were noisy with news
boys crying 1t. The Graphic got ont cur
toon representing the venerable Governor
handling car hook, and exclaiming, "Ii any
man kills another with mere piece of wire,'
hang him on the spot" The "mere piece OF
wire" was an alluSion to the plea made by
Fosters friends that Car hook is not MUIR
derous weapon within the meaning OF the
law.
The feeling in the community over the news
was mixed. The Sun aud 80 ne other papers
had created considerable sympathy for the
prisoner. All the leading morning papers.
however, had sternly maintained that the
Governor had no moral right to go behind
the last decision OF The Court of Appeals. Win
those persons who had been Influenced by the
appeals made in behalf of Foster there was
sentiment of sorrowful disappointment. The
large majority Of the community, however, /
think, were of the other side, and strongly
commended the Governors frmness. All sorts
of rumors are af1oat as 10 the Influences which
affected his lnal decision, for 1t is known that
he was first inclined toward mercy. 1t Is as
serted that he had conclusive evidence that
Mrs. Putnam, the murdered mans widow, re-
ceived the fifteen thousand dollars bride, and
that this turned the scale. think we'll enough
of him to believe though thai he was swayed
by higher motives than disgust With Fosters
friends.
The execution takes place on Friday next,
and until that time several hundred thousand
people In New York will be watching every
action and eagerly listening to every word
that tf.,ls from the lips OF the condemned.
Ee0ceforth while on earth he will not be
alone for moment. Reporters will hover
around him day and night 10 secure Incidents
for the papers; how lie eats his meals how he
smiles, sghs and looks sad, and how he sits and
walks and talks, how he sleeps and mutters
In hIs dreams, Will be faithfully described
reading myriads. Two deputy sherlffs w!!i
sit constantly by his side to prevent auy at.
tempt at suicide, and until he takes
his place In the fatal procession at ten O'Clock
on next Friday morning, with the moose
around his neck, he Will be gladdened or
afflicted, as the case may be, with success
sion Of visitors belonging 10 the clerical, legal
and journalistic professions, by relatives and
friends, and by such of the curious general
public as tie sheriff may admit to the corridor
in which he site. Even at the gallows foot,
the eye of the public will glare upon him, for
In addition to the several hundred spectators,
thinly disguised as especial deputies" and the
repertorial corps with their busy pencils, who
will be there. the new evening illustrated
paper has promised to have iLs Photographic
apparatus erected near by.
commission OF lnnacy doctors has been
going through 'Murderers' Row" In the Tombs
examining the prisoners confined there, with
a view of examining Into their sanity. They
have all passed the ordeal credltably in this
VINO Ia pronounced craZc. Wnen Train heard
the result of the inquletlon he was greatly
enraged, and predicted on uprising OF the
American people In his behalf. He will pro-
An exposure OF "5piritua!sLic quacSs" Is
going on in one oil the daily newspapers. The
notorious advertising mediums, Mansfield
Slade, Foster, Flint and others have been
visited by O committee of Wall street brokers
aud others, and their performances rlgidly 1n-
vestigated The conclusion reached Is that
they are all clever seight-of-hand actors, who
owe their success TO their mechanical adroit-
ness aud knowledge of human nature, and TO
the gullibllty OF their visitors. Mansfield and
Foster clsm to be able to read sealed letters
written aud directed to ''spirlta," and 10 pro-
cure written replies 10 Them. the COMMITTEES
declare that the sealed letters are easily open
ed by these mediums by means OF thin knife
or steaming the mucllage, and their contents
read and answered.
This splriluallslic showing up reminds me
of an odd story that is being circulated about
Beecher. 1t has appeared in some OF The news
papers, and, therefore, / am committing no
impropriety In repeating 1t. Mr.. Beecher is q
firm believer 10 epiritnalism; that is, that the
phenomena Of raps, lable-lipping anh written
Communications ls produced by intelligences
In the spirit land. Just before Professor Tyn.
dali departed for Europe, Mr. Marble. OF The
World, gave little entertainment In his
honor at his house in Filth avenue. Mr..
Beecher was among the guests. During The
evening the discourse turned on the scientific
aspects of spirltualism, aud there was grand
set-to between Beecher and Tyndal, In which,
1t is reported, the eloquent talker completely
overwhelmed and silenced his less voluble
antagonist.
Tue dramatic novelties offered for to-mor-
row night are somewhat unusual. For in-
stance. at Dsly's larger theatre Sardon's pro
nibitpd" satire on American manners, Uncle
SAM" will be produced, with John Brougham
and Mrs. John Wood iu the caste. The great
question is whether the New York public will
staud this French impertnence, or hiss H.
down. At Booths Theatre, Borcicault brings
out his new "comedy drar written since
he has been In Ameri. -. ed Daddy
O'Dowd." AT Sleinway Hall, hiss Cnshman
reads Shakespeare's "Hsnry the Eighth"
The new play at the Union Square, written by
Olive Logan, and called "a Business Wo.
man." is decided failure. 1t is mere show
piece for clothes, and The dialogue s drlVel.
There Is no PLOT worth the name.
The last nights 10 America Of Pauline Lucca
are announced at the Academy OF Music.
NYM.