Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-06-18

MS cell 70 the ScaHOlU Dy us religious du-
v~isers, two Catholic priests, and seated on
a chair directly under the rope. His step
was not very firm, and his face changed
color rapidly. He was habited in a robe
of white with a belt around the waist,
white pants, gloves and dove colored slip
pers. A cross hung from his neck suspend
ed by a black cord, and he held another
cross in his hands. He was a man of large
size, broad high forehead, somewhat bald,
shaved clean on the face save a large goa
tee. The expression ofhis countenanoe was
uncomfortable to observe.
CEREMONIES, &c.
The prisoner having been seated, the
Sheriff said:-"Fellow citizens-We are
here to perform the painful duty of execu-
ting the law. l will read the papers rele-
want to the case" He then read the
Death Warrant and a copy of the Records
of the Court, after which he turned to the
prisoner and said:-aMr. Ward, we are to
carry this sentence execution. If you have
anything to say, this is the time to say il"
WARDS REMARKs-FINAL SCENES.
The prisoner, after several attempts,
commenced his remarks in a wayering, yet
sufficiently loud tone of voice to be heard
at the farthest end of the corridor. Breath
less attention was observed the whole time
he was speaking. What he said was dis
connected, incoherent at times, and often
unintelligible. We should say that his
mind had become weakened-that his
excitement, the thoughts of his dreadful
crimes, the fearful preparations for his own
death all around him, had rendered him,
if not insane, certainly very unsteady.
He said-"Gentlemen, l am guilty of
but one crime-that confession is not true
4 am going to leave this world with a
clear conscience never murdered but one
person-Is Mr.. Fuller here? Fuller is the
gentleman who took down his confession,
and had it printed.) On being told that
Mr.. F., was not present, he continued l am
sorry for him-throws more crime OF me
than l am able to hold up. You are about
to launch me into eternity Ito the sheriff. ;
you are pretty good looking men all of you
Ito the audience). l hope you have a
good feeling for me. l have no hard feel
ings for any one on this great earth. l
want to leave this world in pesce. God
can help me. 1 have made my peace with
Him (Here he repeated a Catholic p ay-
er, "Oh Holy Mary, mother of God" etc.)
think I stand it pretty well, considering.
l would like some one to pray for me.
Here he clasped his hands, and repeat
ed the Lords prayer; after finishing which
he repeated-"I believe in God the Faith
er," &c.
1t has been wondered how I became n
Catholic. 1t was because l had more
faith in them than in any other churches
they came to me more genteel-they didn't
want me to confess 10 what l didn't COM
NIT. Doctors and Ministers of this town
wanted me to confess that I killed two
men. I am not going out Of the world
with a lie in my mouth. l have told you
all l can recolect-and if | had committed
other murders 1 think l would remember
them-one don't forget such things. l
have been decent all my life-neyer stole ten
dollars, five dollars, one dollar, nor fifty
cents-never murdered and robbed any
man. 1 think my heart is good-at
least I think SO. l have confessed my
sins-have made my peace with God-am
not afraid to sit here. l hope It will prove
a warning to others. A man who will kill
his wife and burn her up-its horrible!|
Here be beat his breast with his hands.)
/ killed her because did not want any body
else to have her. l made up my mind
that if l could not have her, nobody
else should.
Here the priest held the c%ruciix before
him, telling him to cast his eyes on the
cross, &c. He dropped his head on the
priests shoulder, while that official talked
and prayed with him. In a few minutes
he raised his head, and resumed his remarks
in a somewhat ~livelier tone, occasionally
trying to be %jocular.
81 have no property but my body, and
that 1 have given to the preachers, and
my soul to God. Pretty good hands to
give them to- hope you may do as
we'll"
Taking hold of the rope, he remarked to
the sheriff that it was rather short "Gen-
tlemen," said he, "you see l I'M not afraid
to leave this world, don't youw Here again
he said the Lords prayer, stammered, shut
his eyes, murmered: "Holy Mary, mother
of God, &C., l believe in God, and Jesus
Christ, who descended into hell, IN the
third day he rose again and sits in
heaven at the right hand of Almighty
God," DC. "May the Almighty God give
me pardon and absolution for my sins
my God!-my Godg am dying-amen."
Here they raised him to bis feet, but it
was sometime before he could stand firm
ly. 81 can't stand" He remarked
Then afterwards, III bid you all good bye"
Turning to some gentlemen who were near,
he said, 81 guess you don't have as much
trouble with me as they did with thu chap
at Cleveland? Now, gentlemen see m CO."
The Sheriff prepared to pinion his arms,
whereupon he saiG-"You need not tie my
arms. I will never touch that rope" At
ter another pause-"You might all shut
your eyes when 90 down-don't laugh"
These were the last words he addressed to
to the spectators. The priest held the
cross to his lips for him to kiss, which he
did. After several minutes spent in pray
er, by both the prisoner and his religious al
tendants the cap was pulled down over his
eyes, and at five minutes before II, NJ, he
closed his career upon earth
1t is impossible 10 give the entire re-
marks of Ward on the scaffold. He pray
| ed between his ENTHUSIASTICALLY rals-
ing his voice to a high key, then again