River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-08-20
a Remarkable scene at Knoxville.
Tenn Hanging of John webb.

John Webb, the murderer. was hung az
Knoxville, Tenn, Friday the 18th. At an
Early hour crowds poured in from the country
p witness the execution The streets near
he Jail were thronged with an imWeuse crowd
II was with difficulty that tho guards coul;
prevent the crowd itom breaking down the
1il fence, SO eager were they TO soc the pris-
oner
The prisoner partook heartily of breakfast.
tnd called the attention oi the guards o. the
fact II was the last new suit OF clothes he
,hould ever wear he was now uutting on At
10 o'clock A NJ he dressed and asked tor q
razor TO shave, which was refused, fearing vio-
isuoe This angercd him, ard he toll the
'hrrh u Ego tn he'll and take Il with hin, y
AZ 1880 the death warrant was read 10 him
when he asked 90 read il himself After f,.
shing he raised his hand and declared, 'be-
ore Cod my execution Is unjust" and kissed
The cruchN had been given him hy priest lie
also aided that lie forgave everybody:
hat Y was unjust 20 hang an innocent man.
Before leaving the Jail he bid Ayrcs, b. wh nj
he was employed 10 do the deed good bye
saying, sold fellow you will have To Or
mighty hard for forgiveness OF the murder
Won have caused, IL Won get 20 heaven
2 The p isoner walked promptly 10 the WAGON
with his wife on his arm, accompanied hy
Sheriff Swan and deputies and priest Hi,
wife was much affected, and he eudeavored 10
console her. The procession moved 20 the
gallows, about one mile, with the Sheriff,
posse, thirty strong, immense crowds follow
ing Arriving tnerc circle was formed los
'wo military compsuic4, and the posse wagon
was driven Immediately under the gallows.
when, ~ the prisoners request. the sheriff
called Nehh's and the state courcil 20 hid
them adieu, lie briefly addressed the crowd
rs follows The statement m1de j. true
tie an innocent man. You are killing me for
nothing ! pnt my trust IN God. I've heen
FORGIVEN He thea requested the Sheriff Il
cell others, Mr. Haskns, particularly. 10
whom he said: want 10 say 10 you u l.
serious thing yon have done. II you want 10
yin man don't swear his lite away He then
denounced the whole tarty ~ having sworn
" lies. Turning 20 John white he said
The u'Tht Of the murder ! stayed with YOU,
Won know.
H. then handed the lc,tsrto Huxley. and
continued his remarks, saying; "rbe people
wanted IN sec poor old linn Webb hung
nrayel for an last night Look ~ mn Mani
Whist sey-l die innocent" The mayor
lstcG WHO was guilty Il he was iuuogput which
hc declined ~ answer. saving Captain Wash.
ingtnn had the true statement, and IL would
ho rtvcu to the public
HIS vs.r mplorc3 him io lrii al' lac know
Inst then mcsssU GER came and informed
Wohb IF The dr,,b 81 His sister, ana Tie murr
'.d1y Tie received Tho news with \ Iatletir
calWurss, and his h1la hlue ewes wore q far.
NJ look, as though piercing the vale Of ctcr.
nity Ills wife urged him 20 pray tar uartou
o which he replied, "NV dear wife, | would
,a'her =" ia my place than that ofmauy .,e
here -
lie showed grrnt nerve, and held up un.
AiuChns'v 90 the last When binding li.
eyes he offered hi, haud, saving "You have
hold Of the best soldier Won ever had" and
amid the agoniHug Screams oi hs wife he
mounted the rear scat 81 tho wagon, telling