He was accompanied by the Chaplain and Sheriff Powers, and not a waver in his step or tremor in his frame, was noticed by them even at that awful hour.
Ascending the scaffold, (which was a high structure, affording a full view to the immense concourse outside,) Dudley desired to address a few words to those within hearing. Permission was of course granted, and in a few earnest and truly affecting remarks, the doomed man asserted his entire innocence of the crime for which he was about to suffer death. He called God to witness the truth of what he said.
Upon the conclusion of his address, the fatal cap was drawn over his eyes, and the rope attached to his neck.
Sheriff Powers then asked him, “Are you prepared?”
Dudley replied, “I am ready.”
At that instant the rope was severed by the Sheriff, and after a few spasmodic struggles, the unhappy man—guilty or innocent—was launched into eternity.
It was a saddening, sickening exhibition, and those who witnessed it, left the scene with troubled hearts.
Below we present a communication from Mr. Morrison, counsel for the deceased, and a letter from Dudley himself protesting his innocence.
Perhaps I should disclose the manner in which the following statement came into my possession. About nine o’clock on the day Mr. Dudley was executed, I visited him to ascertain his last wishes, and afford such aid and comfort in his last extremity as might be in my power. When I entered, he was writing in a book made up of about a quire of paper, which had been mostly written over. We spoke of his approaching end. He expressed disappointment and regret that his brother had not arrived, but hoped that he might before the execution, which he wished for that reason to have delayed as long as possible. He then divided his testament, hymn book, two tracts, some other small articles of property, and a few sheep among his children, and gave me letters which he had written for them. His bible had been given by an old neighbor, to whom he directed it to be returned. He completed the last line of his statement, and signed his name to it. I enquired if he wished me to take charge of that, and he said he did.