New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-03-22

Sheriff followed The latter asked the reverend gehte
man il he proposed read the prayers OF the chu'eu "
the scaod and urging him 10 be brief for he saw that
the prisoner was weak and pale. Dr. lyns s"u NC
would occupy not than three or Tour nhu'es anu
then the procession was formed. Father Duranqnet'
the Roman Catholic chaplain the prison. at this mo-
ment entered and took leave of the prisoner with who
he has had frequent intercourse. The Under enerlh
placed the black cap over the back OF the ue"u anu
shoulders of the prisoner aud the procession moVeu ~
the Wight toward death. As he left the gloom ol 'no
prison. Foster put his right hand over his eyes as the
light panied hm-possiby, as some suggested 10 snu'
out the vision of the scafiod.
THE EXECUTION.
He did not remove 1t until after prayers were re"u'
the black cap drawn wholly down over his FACE smut OUT
all vision prayers occupied twelve minutes or more
in the readings; and during all this painful period the
prisoner stood with the about his neck trembling
with the effort TO conceal from the crowd below the
awful agitation winch eonvused him. Observing Eos
increasing weakness, Sheriff Brennan turned To Dr.
Tying and requested him under tone TO abbreviae
the service a moment later he stepped behind Foster
and whispered in his ear, "You promised TO be firm;
now be a man." Foster turned an imploTng look upon
the Sheriff, but uttered nothing in response.
On the conclusion Of pTayers-he length OF which had
excited the sympathy or impatience Of the crOwd-the
attached to the main and the black cap
drawn down the prisoners face. He uttered
no after reaching the scaOld at the last moment
he drew himself up with one almost bupeIhuan ehorl
to conceal his emotion but not word sigh, or groan
escaped him. In his last moment he neither brutal
rough nor weak coward.
The signal was given to the hangman precisely II
minutes past ; the rope which held the weights aoft
was cut, and coming down with thud which shocked
and startled ALL they erked the body high into the air.
and moment later 1t hung almost motoness save the
swaying to ana fro. The victim made not struggle
The machinery OF death made nearly perfect as
possible the hangman had learned his lesson well OF
long experience, and the managing Of William Foster
was probable the most complete and the least revolving
Of all the public executions known in this city. The
main rope was lowered over the shoulders about Is
inches the itself is inches in length. The
drop then was equal that of three feet Besides the
ordinary weight used pounds mad been Increased by
sc pounds additional.
After hanging for IS minutes, the body lowered
into a coffin, which, seemingly to make death more
mockery was made of rosewood, lined with satin, and
ornamented with silver mOuntngs Coroner Young ana
his deputy were present, and after examination OF
the body was had to see that life extinct permit
of burial was given by them to undertaken acting for
Fosters family. Immediately after the body placed
in the coffin, Dr. Meals, Prof. Budd OF Bellevue, and
Dr. Ensign examined It, and ascertained that the neck
was broken and life totally extinct.
BY permission of Warden johnson, the undertaken
none OF Fosters relatives being presently permitted
to deposit the caset containing the body in the Tombs
until evening the desire being to avoid attracting at
tenion 70 the removal Of the body. About $50 tall
pale faced gentleman, who was probably Fosters
brotherinlaw-the features were indstinguishaole in
surrounding darkness-approached the Tombs gate in
Frankn-st, near Elm. After ringing the bell there he
went TO the entrance TO the prison. and held
hurried and brief conference with the janitor; Them
hastily going in the direction OF Broadway
he signaled wagon, which drove easily
to the before mentioned gate and admitted within
the prison.
About Is minutes elapsed before the wagon driven
out with the casket Leaving the Tombs, il driven
slowly to Centrest thence TO Franklin, TO Broadway,
and TO Franklin There those in the were Joined
by young gentleman, and the wagon drove of at
smart pace 10 Canals thence to the Bowery to Grand
ST. and a.Ong GIand-st. to the South SeYenthst WI
iamsburgh ferry, taking the O'Clock boat IL pre-
sumed that the remains taken 10 the cemetery Oh
the EYeIgreens.
POLICE ARRANGEMENTS.
About $50 policemen were present IN and about the
building under the personal command Of Snperntend-
ent Kelso assisted by Capt Kennedy Of the Sixth Pre-
cnct Lines Of police guarded the entrance TO Frank
Inst bordering Tombs at Centre and Emss, and
details took possession of the buildings in the neighbor
hood from which, in times past, views OF executions
were obtained.
Besides the police there only 100 persons present
as witnesses of the hanging-precisey $50 too many.