source: Spirit of the Times April 25-1843 # 1 Benjamin D. White. As many of our readers out of town maybe curious to ascertain how this singular man conducted himself for a few days previous to his execution, we subjoin a few particulars derived from the under Sheriff, and from another person who has seen him frequently. On Sunday after the usual afternoon service in the Church, the Rev. Mr. BOLLES together with the Rev. Mr. BEECHER and a few members of their respective congregations, visited the jail for the purpose of holding divine worship. The prayers of the Church were read and a sermon preached by Rev. Mr. Bolles. During the services White sat on a chair near his cell door, and paid a respectful attention; he however manifested no interest in what was going on, and after the clergy and others had departed, made no other remark than that he "was very well pleased with the meeting because he liked to hear the ladies sing." On Monday morning he appeared in good spirits, and spoke of his execution freely and carelessly as though he was entirely ready and willing to die. At nine or ten o'clock the gallows was erected, the hammering and pounding in putting it up seemed at first to annoy him. A large number of men and boys were around and made considerable noise, of which he complained to Mr. SPRAGUE--he "did not care any thing about the noise necessary to put up the timbers, for he wanted to have it right, but the boys annoyed him." Towards noon he spoke to a prisoner in the hall and asked if "they had got the rigging fixed," had expressed a wish to be allowed to see the operation of it. During the day he was visited by a large number of individuals, with most of whom he conversed in his usual manner. He slept but little during the night. The man who was confined in the same cell says White was up and down several times--that he would walk about the room--look up to the ceiling and sl! owly around the walls, as if seeking for some place from which he might hang himself. He would then sit down and read, and then take up his fiddle and commence playing. Tuesday morning found him apparently in as good spirits as to be had. He ate a very hearty breakfast, and spoke of the coming day. He ate a very hearty breakfast, and spoke of the coming day. He asked to be allowed to try on his grave clothes to see how they fitted; and a day or two since asked the keeper if he was going to be hung in his boots; on being told that he should have a pair of pumps, he stuck out his foot and said, "Sprague you see I've got a pretty large foot, so have them made large enough for I don't want my feet pinched." A copy of his narrative and speech, which he had been reading, pleased him very much, and he seemed to think it would create quite a sensation in the world; after some further conversation upon the same subject he took up his fiddle and commenced playing and singing. In this manner was passed most of the forenoon. At noon dinner was brought and he ate heartily--left nothing upon his plate. Several ladies called to get a glimpse of him, all of whom, to use his own words "he was very pleased to see, for it relieved the tediousness of confinement." He stated to one gentleman present that he was "glad he killed his father, and that even now if the old gentleman were alive he would kill him if he could." "I am," said he, "willing to die, but if all things were right with me and I was comfortably off in money matters, I should like to live well enough, but as it is I don't care." During the afternoon he was visited by two relatives, one of whom he had never before seen. C! onversing with the latter he remarked that "the speech which he should deliver would be a knock down argument," and then gave him one of the pamphlets, enjoining upon him, at the same time, not to let any one else see it until the next day, as it was understood none were to be sold until then. During his confinement he was very particular in regard to food, desiring to have the best of every thing, but generally preferring pies, cakes, and sweetmeats. He frequently told Mr. Sprague that he would have killed himself if he had not been so kindly treated. He gave money to a gentleman present to pay the postage on one of his pamphlets which he wished should be forwarded to Queen Victoria. During the day his brother Harry called to see him; the interview was short and not particularly effecting; they mutually agreed to forget and forgive all past difficulties. His last request of Harry was that he would not claim his body for burial, but that it might be disposed of for dissection as he had directed. During the night he laughed and talked with the persons who remained with him, and at three o'clock in the morning fell into a sound sleep. The Execution ..... to be continued * submitted by Linda Web-Page Editor ~ BETHANY: Its Past and Present ~ http://www.arkwebshost.com/family/bluebird/TownOfBethany.shtml