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392 APPENDIX.
said, " Thy child to Thee; and while he bows himself to the law behold
him an humble suppliant at the throne of Him who tempereth justice
with mercy, and receiveth the contrite heart! Open the doors of Thy
mansion, that he may enter! Do more and better for him than we
can ask or think!"
At the conclusion of this prayer, the spectators retired from the arch.
The arms of the condemned were pinioned to his side, and the procession
marched to the scaffold. By the side of the condemned was his faith-
ful religious counsellor and adviser, who had promised to accompany
him, and be present at the parting scene. No sign of faltering could be
observed as he ascended the steps. He appeared subdued, as one con-
scious of having committed a great sin, for which he was about to
suffer.
As he stepped upon the drop, he looked round for his faithful friend,
Dr. Putnam, who was by his side, and entered into an apparently earnest
conversation with him. At almost every word Dr. Webster bowed his
head, as if what lie was saying was emphatically the outpouring of his
heart.
Deputy-Sheriff Coburn called the attention of the witnesses, &c.,
to the reading of the Executive death-warrant, which was next done
in an audible manner by the Sheriff,-who, with his officers and the
assembly, generally remained with uncovered heads during the read-
ing, with the exception of the prisoner.
At the conclusion of the reading of the warrant, Dr. Webster shook
hands with Dr. Putnam, who took of him a final farewell.
He was then placed in a chair to have his legs pinioned. After this
was done, he again stood up. The touch of the rope upon his neck
caused his face which had been before of a deadly pallor, to flush, and
there were evident signs of a subdued but still powerful agitation. He
then shook hands with the Sheriff, and spoke a few words to him.
The black cap was then placed over his face and the light of day
thus shut out from him in this world forever. The Sheriff then turned
to the assembled spectators, and in a loud voice proclaimed that in the
name and by the command of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, he
should now proceed to do execution upon the body of John W. Webster.
At this knell of death, there was no motion of the body of the con-
demned, the features of the face being entirely hid from view; but he
stood perfectly still, awaiting the fatal plung
After concluding his proclamation the Sheriff turned round, and
pressing a spring, the drop fell and the prisoner's mortal career was
at an end. This took place at twenty-five minutes before ten o'clock.
The body swayed slightly to and fro; and, in a few seconds after the fall,
there was a spasmodic drawing up of the legs, once or twice. Beyond this
there was no observable struggle.
After hanging thirty minutes, the body was examined by Dr. Henry
G. Clark, City Physician, and by Dr. Charles H. Stedman, of the Lunatic
Hospital, South Boston; and they informed the Sheriff that life was
extinct.
The Sheriff then announced that fact to the assembly; and; after
thanking the witnesses for their attendance, dismissed them from further
service.
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