The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-26
The Execution OF Myers Mt Columbus, Ohio.
HIS LAST MOMENTS AND DYING BLASPHESTEs-HE
REFLECTS MINISTERIAL OFFICES AND srURNs THE


HIS LAST MOMENTS AND DYING BLAsPHEsIEs-HE
REJECTS MINISTERIAL OFFICES AND srURSs THE
MINISTER'S.
From the Cincinnati Gazette, Dec. 1871
one of the most painful scenes which has ever
within experience witnessed at the execution OF
Albert Myers FOR the murder OF Bartlett Neville doth
formerly conycts the Pepiteniary) at Columbus
tcrday noon Twas Of those which for
the remembrance of lifetime and which no newspaper
description paint with the cooring with which
IL struck the mind Of the spectator.
On the 18th OF May last Myers, who was sentenced To
three years Imprisonment for horse stealing In Clark
county, without any apparent cause seized an axe that
the brains of his fellow convict Neville who was under
three years sentence for horse stealing In Athens county
Myers was convicted in September 1857 and Neville IN
November, 1853 Myers taken from the prison aud
tried tor tho murder convicted and sentenced 10 be hung
on the ID day of September last. Subsequently the
question OF insanity presented 10 the Governor and
he granted respite until yesterday, for the purpose OF
having medical jury pass upon that question: who gave
an opnol that he was sane and the Governor declined 10
interfere farther 10 The execution of the Law.
From the time Of the commission of the murder Myers
exhibited The utmost inerenee as 10 his fate frequent
~ telling those who called upon him TO shang him and be
d-d,' adding, with air Of determined bravado 1iTu
GU the entire bill fnll.' The ministers OF the Gospel who
offered him the consultations of religion he spurned from
his cell with oa,hs that shocked the strongest nerves.
would tell them as on ono OCCASION f you pray,
pitch In pray like h--ilu' He would listen 10 no adj
vice. never expressed in word deed the least
for the murder, but frequently declared that he had
an opportunity be would do the thing again.
In this condition Of mind he has remained constantly,
even to the last hour Of hrs existence.
Yesterday morning Rev. Mr. Warner, chaplain in the
y.
frequently done before the condemned man refused
to listen o him. Another minister Of the city endea-
ycred - engage hun IN serious conversation but met with
no better SUCCESS Myers utterly refused accept OF their
kind Offices, and met their advances with the reply, ~
want nothing TO say TO you, and don't wish TO be bother
Gu
About hafpast eleven o'clock Sheriff Park accompani.
ed by guard went To the col! of Myers and rcqucscd
him 10 prepare the final execution or the law lie ex
pressed himself entirely ready to meet his sesaid he
would be hung "wthout amurmur groan'--an even
assisted IN adjusting the white sbroud about hrs person
~ that's
surpassed upon any similar Tho fatal rope
then placed around his neck aud he stepped forth from
bis cell and assembled the stairs TO the hall Of the Jail
with light free step as though he IN fact going 30
festival rather than tho tomb As he reached the outer
door Of tho jail he hcsitaicd moment at seeing crowd
Of men IN the yard, but exhibited emotion whatever,
descending the outer steps leading 10 the smaller
sure within which the ga0ws had been erected. with
rapid step, and ~ moment disappeared from the tempo.
rary gaze Of the crowd.
Upon one oceasion previous 70 yesterday Myers
had observed the preparations going on In .the
yard for his execution. and remarked OF the cat
lows that was pretty hard looking concern"
Immediately upon entering he enclosure Myers assembled
the steps, twelve number, 70 the platform without
assistance, showing the least feeling. After lac
upon the platform tie usual number of witnesses
admitted within the enclosure, together with the members
of the pfces. PAUSE Of inmate two followed when
the Sheriff and lis deputy led The condemned forward
The roc TO the beam Myers took hold Of the rope and,
addressing tho twenty or thirty persons IN the yard be
low him, remarked, IN hight, iocose way II can hold
on t. this, think eau save myself yet
Not muscle % he features moved, and his eye giarc5
rs brightly aud stoady IRON the up;urned faces as
though Indifferent spectator instead of the prin-
cipsI actor ID the painful scene while the sheriff was
s engaged IN adjusting the rope Myers again addressed
You can hang me when everything Is clear I wish
you all safe Journey sometime through the wilderness.
by Jesus Christi
criminal caused shudder ~ horror amongst the specta
tors who had hardly recovered from their surprise when
he threw apple and TO the ground below and
exclaimed IN loud voice, Pick them up, vow Cd ID
rascas' And with the most stoical Indifference he
continued 10 gaze with unnnchng eyes upon those below
him
brief solemn impressive prayer was then offered by
Rev Mr.. Warner, during which Myers took hold of the
rope which hung loose at his side, atentvey,
looked al the beam his head and then as satisfied
with his Investigations. stood perfectly motionless
throughout the remainder OF the address to the throne
which reference made two three times IN a very
solemn manner 10 the fact that but moment of time
paratcd the ccndcmnedVrom eternity
Al the Conclusion 81 the prayer the prisoner exhibited
the only emotion which had been discovered throughout
the solemn preparations thus far aud that was but sht,
and only for minute lie commenced 20 speak In much
less nrm tone Of voice, and with less air q hravado than
previously. lie said
~ had correct idea Of when was 70 be hung have
had chance reflect would Ike the privilege Of twp
weeks longer 10 reflect. had no lawyer or anybody
else to do anything for II can have that time can
do something for myself If not suppose must 60"
AZ the conclusion his remarks the sheriff removed
the hat from the head ~ Myers placed white cap
over his face shutting out from the view Of the spec,a
back Part, when Rev. Mr. Warner asked.
Myers, do you die IN the faith q Jesus Christ
To which he replied, q have nothing to 10 you.'
sheriff Park then placed his hand upon the fatal lever
nj The Of the trap and the utmost silence pervaded
the enclosure although the laughter and shouts OF tho
crowd 10 the streets could be distinctly heard After
waiting perhaps minute, al precisely half past twelve
O'Clock the Sheriff gave the lever slight Jerk the springs
supporting the drop gave way, and the body fell dig
lance Of nearly Eve feet There we're very little muscular
contortions. The legs partially drawn MP two or
three times but nothing else indicated that the suspended
form, enshroudcd in white, possessed animation.
Drs. Barr Ellis and Sengcr examined the pulse, and In
ten minutes and forty-fv seconds after the body fell
ceased 10 beat The body permitted to hang some
ten or fifteen minutes longer, when was cut dem and
placed In plain coln aud forwarded BY last evening