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Story
September 2, 1830
Daily Richmond Whig
Richmond, Virginia
What is this article about?
Ebenezer W. Cox was executed in Charlestown on August 27, 1830, for the murder of Col. Dunn, before 5000 spectators. He warned against gambling, implicated accomplices, and died firmly after a half-hour suspension. Attended by Catholic clergy, his body was interred in Loudoun.
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A slip from the Charlestown Free Press, dated Aug 28, gives the following account of the Execution of Ebenezer W. Cox.
FREE PRESS, EXTRA,
Charlestown, Aug 28, 1830.
EXECUTION OF EBENEZER W. COX,
For the Murder of Col. Dunn.
The execution of this unfortunate youth, took place yesterday at precisely half past 1 o'clock. Not less than 5000 persons were present—many of them from a considerable distance—and it is but justice to say, that we have never seen so large an assemblage behave with more propriety. During the solemn preparation at the scaffold, a death-like stillness prevailed, and a feeling of deep sympathy seemed to throb in every bosom. He met his fate with great firmness, and himself gave the signal to let the drop fall which launched his soul into the world of spirits.
He admonished from the platform, in an audible and unfaltering voice, the young men present against an indulgence in the soul-destroying habits of gambling and dissipation. Though he gave evident tokens of internal agony, and prayed fervently to the Throne of Mercy, yet he maintained his self-possession to the end, without change of colour or feature; and surveyed with scrutinizing eye the vast crowd which had gathered to witness his ignominious exit; looking in vain, as he said, for his "pretended friends," by whose evil suggestions he had been lured to ruin.
He died without a struggle—the only indications of suffering which he exhibited, were, during the first three minutes, five or six slightly convulsive shrugs of his shoulders. He was suspended about half an hour, when his body was conveyed about a mile out of town, and given over to his relatives for interment in Loudoun. He was attended in his last moments by the Rev. Mr. Gildea and the Rev. Mr. Grace, of the Catholic Church—the former of whom had been visiting him for the last five months with pious assiduity.
He has left a minute confession, in his own handwriting, of the circumstances connected with the murder, in which he perseveres in implicating those persons whom he had formerly accused as the instigators and accessories of the foul deed.
A more detailed statement of the horrible scene, will be given in our paper of Wednesday next.
FREE PRESS, EXTRA,
Charlestown, Aug 28, 1830.
EXECUTION OF EBENEZER W. COX,
For the Murder of Col. Dunn.
The execution of this unfortunate youth, took place yesterday at precisely half past 1 o'clock. Not less than 5000 persons were present—many of them from a considerable distance—and it is but justice to say, that we have never seen so large an assemblage behave with more propriety. During the solemn preparation at the scaffold, a death-like stillness prevailed, and a feeling of deep sympathy seemed to throb in every bosom. He met his fate with great firmness, and himself gave the signal to let the drop fall which launched his soul into the world of spirits.
He admonished from the platform, in an audible and unfaltering voice, the young men present against an indulgence in the soul-destroying habits of gambling and dissipation. Though he gave evident tokens of internal agony, and prayed fervently to the Throne of Mercy, yet he maintained his self-possession to the end, without change of colour or feature; and surveyed with scrutinizing eye the vast crowd which had gathered to witness his ignominious exit; looking in vain, as he said, for his "pretended friends," by whose evil suggestions he had been lured to ruin.
He died without a struggle—the only indications of suffering which he exhibited, were, during the first three minutes, five or six slightly convulsive shrugs of his shoulders. He was suspended about half an hour, when his body was conveyed about a mile out of town, and given over to his relatives for interment in Loudoun. He was attended in his last moments by the Rev. Mr. Gildea and the Rev. Mr. Grace, of the Catholic Church—the former of whom had been visiting him for the last five months with pious assiduity.
He has left a minute confession, in his own handwriting, of the circumstances connected with the murder, in which he perseveres in implicating those persons whom he had formerly accused as the instigators and accessories of the foul deed.
A more detailed statement of the horrible scene, will be given in our paper of Wednesday next.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
Historical Event
Tragedy
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Moral Virtue
Misfortune
What keywords are associated?
Execution
Murder
Gambling
Confession
Hanging
Charlestown
Catholic Clergy
What entities or persons were involved?
Ebenezer W. Cox
Col. Dunn
Rev. Mr. Gildea
Rev. Mr. Grace
Where did it happen?
Charlestown, Loudoun
Story Details
Key Persons
Ebenezer W. Cox
Col. Dunn
Rev. Mr. Gildea
Rev. Mr. Grace
Location
Charlestown, Loudoun
Event Date
1830 08 27
Story Details
Ebenezer W. Cox, executed for murdering Col. Dunn, addressed the crowd against gambling and dissipation, implicated pretended friends as instigators, died firmly after signaling the drop, and left a confession detailing the crime.