History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

irsr.] SHAYS REBELLION. 515
McCuUock, and they were to be hanged on the 24"' of the
month. The other four were pardoned. On the 23'' the
prisoners were reprieved for four weeks.
Prisoners Reprieved It was the intention of the authorities that
at the Gallows.
^j^jg execution should be as impressive as
possible, and more than usual preparations
to that end were made. An occasion of universal interest
and of much more than common importance, even at a
time when the catalogue of crimes punished by death was
much greater than at present, it was to serve as a demonstration
of the power of the government, as well as a manifestation
of its leniency. Capital punishments always
attracted great crowds of people, and at this time when the
excitement was at fever-heat, a general outpouring of the
people from far and near was to be expected. Government,
fearful of an attempt to rescue the prisoners, strengthened
the volunteer companies on duty in town, guarding the
prisoners by a detachment of militia from Gen. Shepherd's
command at Northfield, It is highly probable that the
gallows was erected on "Pancake Plain." June 21^* was
the day named for the execution. Early in the morning of
that day, spectators began to assemble, and long before the
hour appointed the streets were thronged mainly by crowds
gathered from idle curiosity, but among them undoubtedly
were many others who would gladly have attempted a rescue
had opportunity occurred. Impressive religious ceremonies
were always considered an important part of the
program on such occasions, a sound orthodox sermon
always preceding the final passage to the gallows. From
the jail on Pleasant Street to the meeting-house the prisoners,
strongly guarded by the military, marched through
the thronged streets. But the edifice was altogether too
small to entertain one half the assembled multitude. Consequently
the troops with the prisoners were drawn up in
front of that edifice, and the religious services were carried
on from one of its windows. Rev. Enoch Hale of Westhampton
made the opening prayer, and Rev. Mr. Baldwin
of Palmer preached the sermon from Romans vii, 21. Then
the procession with the slieriff and his deputies escorted
by the soldiers, resumed its mournful way through the