M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1855-01-12
Execution OF ,InIOr Andre.

1880 as given by an eye witness, has been
extracted from the Historical Collec-
tions Of New Jersey -
wasa: that time an officer in Colo.
mel Jeduthun BHldwin's regiment. part
Of which was stationed within a short
distance Of the spot where Andre suffer.
ed. One of the men Il believe his name
was Armstrong; being one of the oldest
and best morkman at his trade in the reg
iment, was selected to make his coffin,
which he performed and painted black,
agreeably TO the custom in those times,
At this time Andre was confined in
what was called Dutch church, a small
stcne building with only one door, aud
closely guarded by six centinels,
When the hour appointed for the exc.
cution arrived. which believe was two
O'Clock in the afternoon, guard of thres
hundred men were pataded before the
place Of his confinement, A kind Of
procession was formed, by placing a
guard OF single file on each side of the
road. In front were large number OF
American officers of high rank. on horse
back. These were followed by a wagon
containing Andres coffin; then large
number Of officers on foot, with Andre
in their midst. The procession moved
slowly upa moderately rising hill. |
should think a fourth Of a mile to the
west. On the top was field without
any enclosure.
In this was very high gallows, made
BY setting up two poles ar crotches, and
laying pole on the top, The wagon
that contained the coffin was drawn di-
rectly under the gallows. In a short
time Andre stepped into the hind end
of the wagon; :hen on his co6ih-took
off his hat anu laid it down-then plac.
ed his hands upon his hips, and walked
very uprightly back aud forth as far as
the length Of his coffin would permit, at
the same time casting his eyes upon the
people over his head, and whole scenery
by which he was surrounded.
He was dressed in what should call
British uniform; his coat was Of the
brightest scarlet, faced and trimed with
the most beautiful green. His under
clothes, or vest and breeches, were
bright buff, very similar to those worn
by the officers in Connecticut at the
present day. lie had long aud beauti-
full head Of hair, which agreeably 10 the
fashion, was wound with black ribbor
and hung down his back. All eyes wer,
upon him; and it is not believed that
any officer in the British army, place.
in his situation. would have appeared
better than this unfortunate man.
Not mary minutes after he took hi
stand upon the coffin, the executions
stepped into the wagon with halter il
his hand, which he attempted TO put
over the head and around the neck o
Andrej but by sudden movement o.
his hand this was prevented. Andre
took the handkerchief from his neck, un
pinned his collar, and deliberately took
the end Of the halter, put 1t over hiI
head, and placed the knot directly un
der his right ear, and drew i. very snug
lly to his neck 4. ..r:
Ne then took from his coat pocket
handkerchief, and tied il over his eyes
This done, the officer that commandet
Il have forgotten his nancy spoke il
rather loud voice and said his arm
must be tied. Andre at once pulled
down the handkerchief he had just tie,
over his eyes, and drew from his pocke
a second one, and gave !. to the execu
TONER and then replaced his handker
chief. His arms wefe tied Just abovt
the elbows, and benind his back. Tn,
} rope was then made fast to the pole owe
, his head. The wagon was suddenl,
drawn from under tie gallowS, whicl
with the length Of the rope, gave him I
most tremendous swing back and forth
but in a few minutes he hung eutirsl!
still.
During the whole transaction he ap
peare d as little daunted as Mr.. John Rol
ers is said to have been, when he wa
about TO be burne d at the stake; but hi
counteuance was rather pale. lie re
remained hanging, / should think, fror
twenty 10 thirty minutes; and drrin
that ;ime the chambers Of death wsr
4 never stiller than the multitude by whic
= he, was surrounded. Orders were give
! to cut the rope and take him down with
: our letting him fall, This was don
, aad the body carefully laid on tn
ground. Shortly after, the guard wa
withdrawn, and spectators were allowe
to come forward aad view the corpse
but the crowd was SO great that it wa
sometime before could get an oppoI
D tunity to see. When | was able to d
: this, his coat, vest and breeches wer
! taken off. and his body lay in the cofh
, covered with some underclothes. Th
top OF the coffin was then pui on. | view
: ed the corpse more carefully than | ha
p done that Of any human being before.
| His head was very much on one side
in consequence Of the manner in whic
> the halter drew upon his neck, Hi
face appeared to be greatly swollen an
very black, much resembling high de
: gree Of notification. There were 9
I, this time. standing at the foot Of tn
coffin, two young men Of uncommo
short stature. | should think not MOI
: than four feet high. Their dress was tt
: most gaudy | ever btheld. One of the
/ had the eclothss taken from Andre hanl
r ing on his arm. | took par,icular paii
g to leain who they were, and was inform
ed they were his servants sent up fro
New York to take his clothes; but viii