Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-10-30
Hanging of Ira Stout.
ROCHESTER, Oct. %.

| At fifteen minutes past two o clock, the pro-
cesson headed by Deputy Sheriff Warner,
reached the Jail. The military were drawn
up in lines so as to make passage to the jail
AS soon as they had arrived and taken the
places assigned them by the officers, the pris-
oner was brought down from his room to the
| gallows. lie was supported by Deputy Sher-
ills Pond and Merrill, and followed by his
| spiritual advisers, Messrs HOtchkiss, Cutting,
Boardman and others. The prisoner was az
| raycd in suit of black, and wore on his head
Il white cap his step was tolerably firm, con-
sidering the fact that he had 4 spell of tainting
| about nOon
On reaching the gallowsh he took seat while
Deputy Sheriff Warner read the death war
rant in a distinct and forcble manner. AT
the conclusion of the reading, Mr. Warner
told the prisoner that the time had arrived to
put the warrant into execution, and that if he
had anything to say he had now an opportu-
| nifty. Stout did not rise, but while seated, in
a clear and firm voice said:
Gentlemen, am of the opinion that there
has been considerable vindictiveness in this
matter, and when there is vndictiveness it is
difficult to speak have left my oracle,
which contains an expression of my feelings
as diving man. and that contains all have
to say"
Rev Mr. Hotchkiss then standing at his
right, said he would read the 18th Chapter of
First Corinthians, at the request of the pris-
oner; and he read it, the prisoner meanwhile
seated with his head supported by his right
hand. At the conclusion of the reading, Mr.
Hotchkiss said he would address the throne
of grace, hoping that the prisoner would find
otr n TO fol in
Mr. H. then made an impressive prayer,
which interested the audience if it did not the
prisoner The prayer concluded, Mr. H. con-
versed moment inaudably with Stout, and
then said that he desired him to say that he
did not feel strength to pray, but heartily en-
dorsed the whole prayer he had Just heard
The Deputy Sheriff, officers and friends
then shook hands with him, and Deputy Sher-
if Warner put the rope about his neck and
drew the cap over his face, while the officers
were pinioning bis arms, stood quite erect, and
remained in that attitude till the last.
He was quite firm in his demeanor, and
gave the same complacent smile to all in bid
ding adieu, that he gave at all times when con-
versing since his arrest. All being ready,
and the spectators standing in GREATNESS 81
lence, at twenty minutes past three, Sheriff
Babcock pulled the fatal line, and Ira Stout
was suspended three feet from the floor. Not
a sound was heard in any direction, save the
heavy fall Of the weight which did the fatal
work.
The death Of the lated man was not as sud
den as could be desired; his struggles for
eight or ten minutes were severe and caused
the spectators to turn away in disgust. His
neck was probably not dislocated, and he died
by the slow process of strangulation. Drs.
Hall, Avery, James and Miller stood near,
and in eight minutes after the drop fell, they
said his pulse was as full as in life. At the
end of half an hour his body was cut down
and placed in the coffin preparatory to being
taken to the residence of his mother on Ex-
change street.