The Hillsborough Recorder

HILLSBOROUGH.
Wednesday, May 17.

EXECUTION.

The sentence of death, pronounced at our last superior court on William B. Sparrow, for the murder of John Hunt, was carried into execution on Friday last, between three and four o'clock, in the midst of a vast concourse of spectators. He was brought out of jail at half past eleven o'clock, and conducted to the church, where, according to his request, he spent the most of his short time in religious exercises. An appropriate and impressive discourse was delivered by the Rev. S. K. Kollock, from Psalm xxxii, 1. "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered;" and followed by an address to the prisoner from the pastor of the church. The unhappy man appeared to unite with much fervor, in singing and praying, and to listen with deep interest to the consolatory truths delivered. His deportment was altogether such as became his solemn and awful situation. At the place of execution he manifested great fortitude and resignation—made a short address to the spectators, in which he professed to die, innocent of any intention to injure the unhappy man whom he had killed—warned the spectators against those vices which led him into his unhappy situation—that he died, at peace with God and all the world, entertaining the hope of a better life beyond the grave.

Mr. Heartt,

Permit me, through your useful paper, to communicate the following particulars relative to the case of the unfortunate W. B. Sparrow. For some time previous to the day of his execution, he flattered himself with the hope that executive clemency would be extended towards him—professing, however, at the same time, his willingness to die. The information that his petition had been unsuccessful, occasioned but a momentary depression. It seemed rather to settle his mind the more firmly, and to fix his attention steadfastly on the great concerns of eternity. His soul appeared to be entirely occupied with preparations for the awful event. The day before his execution, he attended public worship in a devout and solemn manner, and expressed much satisfaction from the enjoyment of this privilege. Visiting him on the morning of his last day on earth, I found him calm and composed; undisturbed by the view of the multitude, flocking into the town to witness his fate. He proceeded from the church to the place of execution, with a firm and steady step—and joined, with a voice undisturbed by emotion, in singing a hymn by the way. As he approached the fatal spot, his hopes seemed to rise, and his countenance to assume a still more cheerful serenity. He reposed with an increasing confidence on the arm of a mighty Saviour. A moment before he was launched into eternity, after taking an affectionate leave of the officers of justice, and those who stood around, he said, "I hope soon to be with my Father above." His death, though painful and ignominious, we may still hope, was to him the termination of sorrow. Much praise is due to the keeper of the jail, and to the sheriff of Orange, for their kind attention to their prisoner—in seeking out for him spiritual instruction—in permitting him to attend public worship previous to the day of his execution—in giving access to his spiritual friends at all hours.—Indeed, nothing was left undone by them, which could add to the comfort or promote the best interests of the unfortunate man. I cannot but add too, that the feeling and tender, though firm manner, in which the sheriff discharged his last painful duty, ought not to be forgotten.—Much more might be said, but less ought not. May the Lord reward them.

HUMANITAS.