The Enquirer

Stephen Arnold.—It will be remembered, that at the last court of Oyer and Terminer in the county of Otsego, the murderer of the little girl, (whose peculiar sufferings excite such a lively interest, even at this remote distance from the scene of action) received his trial and condemnation. The court appointed Friday, the 19th inst. between the hours of eleven and two, as the time for his execution. Not less than ten thousand people assembled on that occasion. Between the hours of eleven and twelve the prisoner was taken from his place of confinement, with a rope round his neck, seated on his coffin, and conveyed on a cart to the place of execution. It was with difficulty that a company of artillery could sufficiently disperse the throng, to enable the criminal to pass: and it was with equal difficulty that a company of infantry, formed in the rear and on each side of the criminal, could secure him and the procession from the pressure of the multitude. After the procession had reached the place of execution, and the criminal had ascended the scaffold, prayers were offered, and a solemn affecting sermon delivered, by the Rev. Mr. Lewis. The clergy, and others who were near the prisoner, then took him by the hand, and recommended him to the mercy and favour of God. The conduct of Arnold, ever since his arrest, is said to have been decent, and expressive of the deepest conviction of his crime. On this occasion particularly, his conduct was such as to excite a very lively sympathy in the surrounding multitude. He seemed to

“Walk thoughtful on the silent, solemn shore,

“Of that vast ocean he must sail o'er soon.”

After the prisoner had made a short address to the people, and had informed the executioner that he might perform his duty, the Sheriff rose and read a reprieve which he had received from the Governor after the solemnities of the day had commenced. The criminal was so over come with the emotions which this unexpected intelligence produced, that he fainted, and fell senseless from his seat. When he had a little recovered, he was re-conducted to the prison, with the same ceremony with which he had been conveyed to the scaffold.