The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1856-06-13

neck of Andre but By sudden movement o
| his hand, this was prevented.
! Andre now took off the handkerchief from his
neck, unpnned his shirt collar, and deliberately
took the cord of the halter, put it over his head
/ placed the knot directly under his right ear, and
drew it very snugly to his neck. He then took
| from his coat pocket handkerchief, and tied il
before his eyes. This done, the officer who
| commanded spoke in rather a loud voice, and
/ said
! His arms must be tied
| Andre at once pulled down the handkerchief
which he had just tied over his eyes, and drew
/ from his pocket second one, which be gave 10
the execuioner, and then replaced his handker-
F.! chief.
! His arms at this time were tied Just above
/ the elbows, and behind the back.
/ The rope was then made fast TO the pole over
/ head. The wagon was very suddenly drawn
! from under the gallows; which, together with
/ the length of the rope, gave him most tremen-
dous swing back and forth but in few mo-
ments he hung entirely still.
/ During the whole transaction he seemed as
/ little daunted as John Rogers when he was "a
bout 10 be- burnt at the stake, although his coun-
! tenance was rather pale.
minutes, and during that time the chambers OF
death We're never stiler than the multitude by
whom he was surrounded. Orders were given
to cut the rope, and take him down without let
ting him fall. This was done, and his body
carefully laid on the ground.
Shortly after the guard was Withdrawn, and
spectators were permitted to come forward and
view the corpse but the crowd was so great
that il was some time before ! could get an OPP
portunity. When | was able to do this, his
coat, vest and breeches had been taken off, and
his body laid in the coffin, covered by some
under clothes. The top Of th+ coffin was put
on.
vlrwpd the corpse more carefully than ]
had ever done that ofany human before. His
head was very much on one side. in consequence
of the manner in which the halter bad drawn
upon his neck. His face appeared to be great
ly swollen and very black, resembling a high
degree Of modification. 1t was indeed most
I shocking sight to behold.
There were, at this time, standing al the foot
Of the coffin, two young men ofuncommon short
stature. They were not more than four feet
high. Their dress was extremely gaudy. One
ofihpm had the clothes Just taken from Andre
hanging on his arm. | took particular pains to
learn who they were, and was Informed that
they were bis servants, sent up from New York
10 take care Of his cothes-but what other bu-
sineSs did not learn.
| now turned TO take view ofthe execu-
toner, who was still standing by one of the
posts of the ealoWs. | walked near enough to
Law my hand Upon his shoulder, and looked him
directly in the face. He appeared TO be- about
twenty-five years of age, and his whole face
was covered with what appeared TO ne to have
been taken from the outside of greasy pot
A more frghtiul looking creature | never be-
held. His whole countrnance bespoke him
fit instrument for the business he had been do
ing.
! remained upon the spot until scarcely twen-
~ persons were left bat the coffin was still be-
side the grave, which had pevouSly been dug.