Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-03-31
DETAILS OF THE EXECUTION OF
THE CAR-HOOK MURDERER.
NEw YORK. March 2

NEW YORK. March z Il.
The curtain has fallen on the last act
of Fosters life, and the victim of pas
sion and drink, and the subject of so
many pleadings for executive mercy has
been sent from life to death. The un-
usual interest which has been excited in
the fate of the man caused an immense
crowd to gather at the Tombs, this morn
ing, to hear the first announcement of
the word dead" The scene within
the building was one Of extreme solemn
ty. AS had already been communica-
ted, Foster was exceedingly nervous at
half-past eight last night. After the
departure of his friends his conduct was
more quiet. He returned to his accus-
toned seat near the stove in the corridor,
and at intervals conversed with his keep
ers, Deputy Sheriffs Hamburg and See
bacher. He showed no signs of sleep
even at midnight. At this hour War
den Johnston visited the prison and
spoke to the doomed man. About
what time do you 60 to bed?'' asked the
warden. 'Well, along about ten or
eleven o'clock, generally" replied Eos
ter % that is when | get sleepy, but |
am not sleepy tonight.
At one o'clock he was still awake, sit
ting in his chair, and for the most part
engaged in deep meditation. At two
o'clock he arose from his seat and lay
down on his couch. Then one of the
wardens asked him if he did not think
it was time to 90 to bed "No," re-
piled Foster, and then asked despond-
entity, SIS there any despatch yet, war
den % The warden replied in the neg
ative. Foster then retired to rest. He
slept soundIy, and SO long that he had to
be called at s o'clock, this morning. He
was calm, quiet and sad, and partook Of
aslight repast, having but little appetite
for food. Meantime, everything outside
and in the prison yard was being con-
Quoted quietly. When Foster first ap-
peared in the coroner's Office, two years
ago, he was decidedly repulsive look
ing man his face was red and sullen
from long excessive drinking, and he
looked thoroughly dissipated. Long
imprisonment had somewhat refined his
skin and features, and in his last days
he was fine specimen of humanit y, al
most handsome
At 9,05 precisely Foster passed from
his cell to the prison yard with the black
cap on. HIS arms were pinioned be-
hind his back and he walked with firm
step to the scafold. The Rev. DIR. Tying
read long burial service. The
doomed man endeavored to place his
hands over his eyes, but could only reach
with his thumb and forefnger.
The prisoner was in suit of black
his arms were pinioned behind him with
new rope. The uncertain swelling Of
the chest and the heavy breathing be-
trayed the dread of his ignominious
death. He devoted several moments to
prayer, and then the executioner fasten
ed the moose that hung about his neck tt
the hook suspended to the cross beam
The cap was pulled over his face, al
withdrew, and the condemned. lowering
on the edge of the dark valley of death
stood alone. HIS muscles twitcheC
with dread at the fate with which b,
stood face to face. The signal was Civ
en- at 9.l5, and Fosters body darted W
in the air, and the rafting noise of thu
weight was heard as it passed down the
enclosure where the executioner stood
and went down with the 30O-pound- THUG
to the pavement below.
The body hung motionlcss for mo
ment, but soon began to twitch convul
sively; his hands were drawn upward
his legs stiffening and his lungs endeav
oring to gain breath of air, while tn,
wind tossed the ribbon of the black car
around as if sporting over the disma
scene Then the silence of the assem-
bled citizens gradually broke into muir
murs, while physicians awaited the laps
of life. He died easy. After the bod,
hung some time, the wrist of the corps
was examined, and Foster was pro
nounced dead.
The sexton Of DR.. Tying's churcl
called at the tombs, shortly after Eos
ter's body was cut down, and asked i
it could be allowed to remain there til
evening, when it would be removed t
the residence of his wife. The reques
was Immediately granted, and the re
mains were removed about dusk. Tn
prisoners in the Tombs have been close
ly confined and visitors excluded, to-day
All the prisoners appear very despond
ent in consequence of the execution O.
Foster. Stokes has hardly spoken
word even to his keeper.
BLUNDERs IN WAR-Field- Marsha
E Won Moltke, having been congratulate,