Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-06-06
LATER.
Execution in Washington.

WASHINGTON, June 6-Tom Wright, COL
orcd, was hung in the jaa yard in this city q
few minutes after noon to-day, for the murder
of Samuel Rogerski on the 23d of last De-
ccmber.
All day yesterday the condemned man was
attended by his spiritual advisers He retired
at o'clock last night, after having eaten a
hearty supper, and slept we'll all night awaken
ing about o'clock this morning, when he
asked the guard to get him dozen fried eggs
for breakfast, the most Of which he consumed.
Upon being asked how he spent the night, he
answered that he was dreaming about women
norm, Fathers Wiget, Roccofort and Bar
rotti, arrived at an carly hour and entered his
cell where they remained until few moments
before be was taken out to the scafold, preparing
the condemned man for his last.
A large crowd Of persons assembled about
the gate of the Jail at an early hour, where
they remained until after the execution was
over Those having tickets Of admission began
to arrive as carly as O. clock, and by II, there
was a large number Inside the Jail,
Last evening Wright wrote long letter to
Gen. Henkle, his counsel, thanking him for
his services in defending him, and closing by
again protesting his innocence, and making un-
complimentary illusions to Judge Macarthur
and Mr.. Harrington.
A colored man applied at the gate for ad-
mission to see Wright about 10 o'clock this
morning and stated that he had important bust
ness with him. Upon being questioned, he
said that Tom Wright's brother, died this
morning with consumption and pneumonia.
Wright wrote about one dozen letters to Mar
garet Woods, first requesting and then demand
ING that she should not tell all she knew in re-
lation to the murder. In one of his letters, he
offered her a brick house if she would let up on
him. 1t remains mystery how they were
transported to her, as she was confined IN an
upper cell of the JAIL
Among those who were early at the Jail was
the brother of the murdered peddler, Rogerski,
who was persistent in his demands that he
should beJack ketch on the occasion. This was
denied him.
at ll:3O those who had been admitted, MAX
Ing about $50, were allowed to 90 into the jail
yard, where they took places in q square,
bounded on the inside by Gordon OF police
men, and Ia full view of tho scaffold, under
which the coffin was placed.
At ll:45 the Warden accompanied by several
Of the guards Of the Jail, entered the cell OF the
prisoner, and after the death warrant had beed
read to him the irons were taken OFT and his
arms tied behind him, and his legs securely
tied with strong rope.
Before the iron were off, Wright whispered
to Gen. Croker asking that he might see his
fellow prisoner, Yonng, the colored man,
charged with the murder of the drover in the
Armory Square. Young was accordingly
brought in and Wright addressed him 10 an
off-hand manner thus:
How are you getting on p
Young-"First rate"
Wright I've got to 90. Good bye.'
The interview here ended. Young, who was
| in his shirt sleeves, looked much the most ner
vous of the two.
Soon after the bell struck - the march was
taken to the scafold from the CELL Wright walk
ed up the steps without any apparent exertlon or
4 seeming trepidation, and when be got on top he
took his place on the fatal drop. On either
side of him stood Rev. Fathers Wiget and
Barratti who were engaged in reading to him
the death service of the Catholic Church. and
| to whom he protested his innocence as he kiss
! cd the Crucifx for the last time. The number
! in the jhil pard at this time increased to twoor
three hundred persons, among whom we're
several Aleyandrians. When The proper time
| arrived, the warden adjusted the rope around
his neck, and unon giving the signal by waiv-
| ing handkerchief, the rope controlling the
drop was pulled at 1910 p. M, and the body
Of Wright swung in mid air.
Several conyulsive twitchec was noticeable,
and all was over After being allowed to hang
! twenty-five minutes, the surgeons, upon examl-
nation, pronounced life extinct.
The crowds then dispersed. The funeral
Of Wright took place this evening 1t is q
surprise TO all that the condemned man made
no confession or statement from the scattold, as
he stated yesterday that he would DO so.