The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-21
To-Day's Tragedy OF Justice
at the Tombs.
FOSTERS LAST DAY OF LIFE.
The Doomed Man Clings to {
Groundless Hope.
THE PREPARATIONS FOR EXECUTION
The Last Effort to Save Him by a
Writ CT Prohibition.

iue ScbuOlu upon WHICH William roster, the con-
dsmned murderer OF Avery d. Putnam, will this
morning surrender his life In expiation OF his
crime was erected yesterday afternoon in the
court yard Of the Tombs prison. aud at daylight
tins morning the pulley, rope and clasp will be run
through the eyelets and over the block wheels.
1t lie commonplace looking machine, consisting
or two uprights aud crossb eam, with pa tfor m
Of panks beneath 1t resting on the paving stones
OF the jail yard and Is painted deep slate lead
color. About the centre of the beam Is q small
iron pulley wheel, and near the right haad shoul-
der Is another similar wheel. AT this right
hand post an upright box or enclosure
about four feet square and twelve feet high,
il built. and in this apartment is suspended
the weight which is to act as a counterpoise to
the culprit when the signal OF death Is given.
This weight OF about three hundred and fifty
pounds will be connected to the main cord
traversing the pullcys, but it will be suspended
about six feet from the ground by a stay rope.
and the cutting OF this suspensory cord will allow
the weight to fall, thus bring tension upon the
line running over the puileys. Az consequence
the end OF the rope to which the clasp and moose
are pendant Will be drawn upwards with tremen-
dous jerk, and will carry with 1t whatever object
may be at the time attached to it. The object is,
OF course, to break the neck OF the cuprit by the
suddenness OF the upward movement, hut the plan
usually ensues by strangulatien merely
THIS ENGINE OF DEATH
has already done extensive public service in this
city and has, in addition been loaned to the
authorities Of other counties in the State On this
glDbet died Bernard Friery, the murderer Of Harry
Lazarus; Frank Ferris, the uxoricide; Jerry
O'Brien, who drove fish knife through his mis-
tress, the weapon piercing her heart and coming
out at her breast; George Wagner who lett an axe
so deeply imbedded in his wites skull that 1t took
great exertion to withdraw II; Jack Reynolds, the
idiot, whose death lalsifed his own prophecy that
hanging was played out In New York - John
Real, the assassin OF Policeman SmedicK, and John
Thomas, negro, who slew man OF his own race
These died at the Tombs. But the Brooklyn author-
ties borrowed it and used it to execute Con-
zales and Pelssier the murderers of Otero,
ana Rogers, who dubbed the lie out Of
Policeman Donnely. Buckhout, the Sleepy Hol-
low butcher, who shot his wife and friend on q
Thanksgiving day, paid the penalty Of his crime
on this scafold at White Plains, and 1t has been
used up the river, at various times and places, as
far as Newbury. fearful history for so insignia
cant q structurei Its predecessor Is said to have
been cut up for kindling wood.
THE sCAFFoLD NOW STANDS
in the accustomed position in the southwest corner
OF the yard, with It's rear TO the entrance OF the
over 1T this morning to prevent either sunshine or
rain from falling on the spectral timbers and to
shut the view Obtainabe from adjacent h0usetops.
The uprights are each eighteen feet m highth and
the crOssbeam is about fifteen feet In length.
The rope will be entirely new OF the
best hemp, OF four strands and closely twisted
The moose will be attached to the swingrope by a
wrought iron clasp and viii be worn by Foster as
he approaches the scaffold.
So far as possible ali mote of PREPARATION was
mashed yesterday and save the Clatter OF the TIM
beers and occasional humping OF mallets no sounds
that could be avoided were heard. The timbers
are fastened together with wooden pins and
morticed joints.
OF NE was peculiarly gloomy one even for man
In his dread position. The cells and corridor OF the
prison are never CHEEKY looking but the rain
yesterday, dropping dtiul sputterings against his
narrow window pane, had depressing ef1ect upon
the man ana upon all his surrOundin-s. He re-
tired to sleep about one O'Clock on the night OF
Wednesday and slept latter yesterday morning
than has been his custom since his condemnation.
AS usual, his first visitor his wife. lie ate
sparingly Of the breakfast which was prepared for
When his wife crossed the prison yard the tim
bers Of the gallows lay where they have since been
erected, and one shudderng glance told that the
meant. When she had been little more than an
hour IN the prison her emotions overcame her and
she was seized with
rosters sister and brother-ln-law were present
and Immediately summoned aid RestOratves
were applied and in a short time she revived but
gave evidences OF severe nervous shock. This was
the second time Mrs. Foster has been thus pros
trated, and aroused . tremueus anxiety on the
part Of Foster which he had not previously exhib-
tied. On wednesday night, about balf-past nine
O'Clock her fortitude forsook her and she sunk into
o state OF unconsclousness. but under the gentle
ministraton OF kind friends, among them the pris-
oner's sister, she rallied and soon afterwards left
the prison for the home OF her premature widow
hood-he torn nest OF her orphaned brood OF little
ones.
FOSTER SECLUDED HIMSELF
from the gaze OF his fellow prisoners yesterday
with studied persistency in marked contrast with
his habit OF preceding days, and which seemed to
indicate that he had at last begun to realize that
longer maintenance OF hope was q delusion 1t
has been his custom hitherto to pass the greater
part OF the day the corridor with his friends but
most OF the time yesterday he spent In his cell.
Rev. DR.. Tying spent some hours with him In sacred
communion, and Rev. Father Duranquet and
another Catholic clergymen also visited him for q
few minutes Rev. Mr.. Schommaker, Chaplain OF
the State Prison at Sing Sing, also conversed with
Foster for short time, and urged upon him prompt
and earnest preparation for the Lille hereafter 1t Is
said by those who have had the best opportunities
OF observing his conduct that Foster displays COM
paratively little outward evidence OF the benefits
Of the spiritual attendance he has received and 1t
Is believed that this TACT has been largely due to
the persistence with which he has hoped and be-
liau hot mn tfpl