Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-03-27
Execution of Foster.
New York, March 81.


Foster passed the day quiet, and re
NAMED during the greater part OF the time
in his cell. Ho heard early in the day Of
the final effort OF his counsel to prevent.
on legal technicality, his execution, and
his hopes revived. On receiving the m
telhgence that the effort had proved vain,
he became very detected. hung his head on
his breast. and desired that no one would
speak to him except his wife She had
tainted on hearing Of, the failure Of this
last effort, and on recovering she returned
to her hu. band, and placing her hand in
his, sat By him for hours, but spoke little.
About half.past eight O'Clock last even,
ing final parting between Foster and
his wife took place, and both were deeply
affected He kissed her repeatedly, and
she clung to him, until overcome with
trlotlon she tainted and was carried away
BY her brother. The PRISON officials were
deeply affected by the sc re. The Rev.
DR.. Tying spent upwards Of an hour yes
terday afternoon With Foster, who listen
ed earnestly to his exhortations. Foster
was also visited during the day by his
brother in-law. his father, and by Father
Durangue, Catholic Priest, but he re
fused to undergo the ordeal OF parting
with his children, whom he has not seen
since his arrest.
He awoke at { o'clock This morning,
partook OF cup OF coffee, but ate moth
ing. and was very pale; his strength seem
ed fast failing. He was attended by the
Rev. DR.. Tyng and Rev Mr. Schoonmo-
ksr, Chaplain of Sing Sing. He engaged
in devotional exercises until 9 o'clock. At
eleven minutes past CHE was led out, sup
ported by Sheriff Brennan and the under
Sheriff. He walked unfalteringlv to the
scatfold, and his face had hectic flush on
it. When he arrived beneath the scatfold,
the Rev. DR.. Tying, assisted hy the Rev.
Mr.. Schoonmaker, read the 5lst Psalm.
and as the words were read in which the
Rev. Mr.. Tying besought God to "open
the eve of mercy to this Thy servant"
the scene was hushed and impressive in
the extreme.
During the reading of the service Fos
ter stood beneath the scafold, his head
bowed down, and his left hand shading
his eyes. The Rev DR.. Schoonmaker
shook hands with him, and said: "God
bless thee, my dear friend" At seventeen
minutes past nIne o'clock the bolt was
drawn, and the body rose into the air
The condemned man gave one slight strug-
gle only, SO slight as to be almost imper-
certible There was an absence of the
usual movement of the shoulders. There
was slight contraction OF the lower limbs,
and barely perceptible motion OF the
hands. II.
After hanging Ave minutes. the body
was lowered about nine inches, and a
minute thereafter, about foot farlher
twelve minutes after the bolt had been
drawn, TIE pulse ceased to beat, and Eos
ter had died, almost without 9 struggle.
Il was evident during the reading of the
services, that he was rapidly sinking, an9
scarcely able to stand. Physicians noticed
tits and Rev. Mr. Schoonnaker. had but
Just shook hands with him, and said Good
bye God bless you my friend" when the
fatal bolt was drawn.
After being allowed to hang a little
over twenty minutes, the body was lower
ed into coffin and conveyed into the dead
house OF the Tombs, whence'it will be ia
ken to-day to the residence Of his widow
Iiternent will probably take place or
Monday next at twenty minutes before
10 o'clock. a crowd OF Deputy Sheriff>
and Others, consisting Of one hundred aHd
Fifty persons, who had gained admission tc
witness the execution, slowly made their
ex from the scene.
Shortly after Foster had been cut down
the sexton OF DR.. Tyngs Church called at
the Tonbs, and requested that the body
be allowed to remain till late IN the after,
noon, when j. would be removed to the
residence of his wife None Of :he untor
tunate mans friends have called to see
the body since the execution. He Is lying
in a room in tho Tombs in an undertaker's
box, waiting to be removed. if