48 
injured that he only survived two 
days after. The jury reprobated 
the conduct of the owner of the 
dog in the severest terms, for his 
neglecting either to destroy him 
or secure him with a muzzle, as 
it was well known that he was a 
most ferocious animal, and had 
bitten several persons before. 
Verdict—Accidental death; and 
a deodand.of five pounds on the 
truck. 
26.—This being the day ap- 
pointed for the execution of Eli- 
zabeth Fenning, William Oldfield, 
and Abraham Adams, the public 
curiosity was strongly excited, 
and perhaps to a greater degree 
than on any similar event since 
the memorable execution of Hag- 
gerty, Holloway, &c. Forin the 
case of Fenning many had taken 
up an opinion that her guilt was 
not clearly established; for she 
had uniformly protested her in- 
nocence. The last interview be- 
tween her and her parents took 
place about half-past one o’clock 
on Tuesday: to them and to the 
last moment, she persisted in her 
innocence. About 8 o’clock yes- 
terday morning the sheriffs pro- 
ceeded from Justice Hall along 
the subterraneous passage to the 
Press-yard. 
Fenning was dressed in white, 
with lace boots, anda cap. Old- 
field went up to her in the Press 
Yard, and enjoined her to prayer, 
and assured her they should all 
be happy. — 
Thesheriffs preceded the caval- 
cade to the steps of the scaffold, 
to which the unfortunate girl, 
was first introduced. Just as the 
door was opened, the Rev. Mr. 
Cotton stoppedher for a moment, 
to ask her if in her last moments 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1815. 
she had any thing to communi« 
cate? She paused a moment, and 
said, ‘‘ Before the just and Al- 
mighty God, and by the faith of 
the holy sacrament I have taken, 
I am innocent of the offence with 
which I am charged.” This she 
spoke with much firmness of 
emphasis, and followed it by say- 
ing what all around her under- 
stood to be, “ My innocence will 
be manifested in the course of the 
day.” The last part of this sen- 
tence was spoken, however, so 
inaudibly, that it was not rightly 
understood, and the Rev. Mr. 
Cotton being anxious: to hear it 
again, put a question to get from 
her her positive words; to which 
she answered, ‘“ I hope God will 
forgive me, and make manifest 
the transaction in the course of 
the day.” She then mounted the 
platform, with the same uniform 
firmness she had maintained 
throughout. A handkerchief was 
tied over her face and she prayed 
fervently, but to the last moment 
declared her innocence. Oldfield 
came up next with a firm step, 
and addressed a few words in 
prayer to the. unhappy girl. 
About half-past eight o'clock the 
fatal signal was given. One 
emotion only was perceptible in 
Fenning. After hanging the usual 
hour, the bodies were cut down 
and given over to their friends 
for interment, 
The following paragraph rela- 
tive to Elizabeth Fenning, ap- 
peared in an evening paper. _ 
«We should deem ourselves 
wanting in justice, and a due re- 
spect for government, if we did 
not state that, in consequence ot 
the many applications from the: 
friends of this unhappy young. 
