The Spirit of the Times. April 25-1843. # 2 The Execution. The gentlemen who witnessed the execution, entered the jail yard at a quarter to two o'clock, and in about ten minutes White was brought out by the Under Sheriff and placed under the gallows. He looked better than we have ever seen him, and his demeanor was perfectly calm and collected. He was dressed in a long white frock, white pantaloons, white cotton stockings and pumps. Immediately in front of him were seated the clergy. He at once commenced reading his speech in a firm but natural tone of voice, and proceeded without stopping, until he had got about half through, when he said to Mr. Sprague: "I don't know but I'd like to get a little water." A tumbler full was immediately brought which he drank off, wiped his mouth, and went on as firmly as before. Occasionally during his remarks, he looked around upon the spectators, and changed his position, but all naturally. The printed copy from which he read was rolled up and as he proceeded and it unrolled he threw it quietly over his left arm, and appeared only to regard what he was reading. To the last line he read without any embarrassment. After finishing he handed hi speech to Mr. Sprague, and took a slow survey of the gallows and spectators. The Rev. Mr. Bolles and Rev. Mr. Brown offered prayers in a solemn and impressive manner, to which White paid very little attention, but looked around upon the rope, noose, pulley and weights. As seen as the religious exercises were over (which were consented to by the prisoner at the request of a relative present) his arms were tied, the cap placed upon his head, and the rope put around his neck. During all these movements he moved not a muscle, and was apparently as self-possessed, as the firmest present. At ten minutes to three the Sheriff said:--"White you have only three minutes to live." He remained standing calmly for a little over two minutes when the cap was drawn over his face. Mr. Sprague then gave the Sheriff the signal that all was ready, by dropping his left hand, the cord which suspended the weights was pulled, and White was launched into eternity. In about half a minute he gave a spasm, which was followed by twenty two more slight ones within the space of ten minutes. In half an hour, the body was lowered, placed in the coffin, and laid in the jail. It is due to Sheriff Long, and to Mr. Sprague his able under sheriff, to state that every arrangement connected with the execution was carried out in an unusually quiet, and systematic, manner. Both officers discharged their painful duties in a manner that met the approbation of every one present. We have not time, this week, to make any remarks upon the extraordinary incidents connected with this execution. More than ever are we convinced of the utter inutility of death punishment as the penalty for murder; and if any thing were wanting to stimulate our efforts towards opposing that relic of barbarism, the incentive was most horribly presented to-day. But we have no time to enlarge. Next week we hope to give some facts connected with White, which, to say the least, are extraordinary, and which, in our opinion, never could come from a man of sound mind. * A CARD. The Sheriff desires to express his sincere acknowledgments to Capt. Frederick Follett, the Officers, and Members of that spirited Military Corps "The Batavia Light Guards," for the efficient aid they rendered him in preserving order and enforcing the requirements of the Law, by mounting guard around the Jail, on the occasion of the execution of White. John Long, Sheriff, Batavia, April 27th, 1843. * submitted by Linda Web-Page Editor ~ Bethany: Its Past and Present ~ http://www.arkwebshost.com/family/bluebird/TownOfBethany.shtml