The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-03-30
THE LAST DAY OF LIFE,

spent In religious exercises IN her cell, until
about three o'clock Friday morning, when
she laid down and slept soundly until after
hve, when she was awakened by her attend
ants. Father Caillet, of the Catholic church,
remained with her nearly all the time, with
several of the Sisters, and one or two other
ladies, besides some of the officers of the
prison.
In the morning, about eight o'clock, she
ate light breakfast, and although she per.
fectly realized her situation, she remained
quite calm.
TESTIMONIAL TO THE JAILoR
During the night she presented to Mr..
Hoffman, whose kindness to her she often
acknowledged, little book for keepsake,
entitled, "The most important tenets of the
Catholic Church explained" accompanied
with the following note, written by herself,
in neat and legible hand
To G. W. HOFFMAN.
Dear Brother-I leave these few lines az
mark of respect, and an advice. Seek there
the same protection under the shadow of Gods
grace as have done: In affection and pain,
only key that will unlock the gates of Heaven.
As long as the sentence of death is passed on
all men, you should prepare an entrance in
that blessed abode. No chilling wind, no poi.
sonous breath, can Brighten you from that
shore. MARY ANN BILANSKY.
FAREWELL TO FELLOW PRISONERS.
About nine o'clock, Mr.. Hoffman asked
her if she would like to bid farewell to the
other prisoners. She asSented, and in COM
pany with Rev. Mr.. Caillet, she went round
to each cell; she walked with firm step,
and had word to say to each. Her voice
trembled, however, and she was 10 tears, as
were those who accompanied her. She made
nearly the same remarks to each, among
whom were those charged with murder
Laliyer, Dumphy, Trip and O'Neill !:
Good-bye-I ask you, and it is my dying
request, that you would prepare for death !;
do not put it of, but be prepared, as l hope
am, to meet my God,"-was the substance,
and very nearly the language she used.
After this Bishop Grace entered for the
last time, and remained with her in the cell
for short period, endeavoring to prepare
her to meet her doom.
Several of her acquaintance came in SUBJ
sequently, and babe her farewell.
RoBING FOR THE GALLows.
At ten o'clock the Sheriff entered, with
the black robe she was to wear to execu-
iton. He handed the robe to her, and stated
that be would request the Sisters to put it
on. She said" 1 thank you, Mr.. Tullis !;
hope you will stand by me to the last, as
Mr.. Hoffman has promised to do"
THE PROCESSION.
At quarter after ten, everything be-
ing in readir ess, the Sheriff and attendants
went to her cell, to lead her to execution.
She came out, dressed in black, with a
brown veil over her head and neck, and
walked through the hall with firm step
Rev. Mr.. Caillet hold of one arm, and Mr..
Hoffman the other. AS she started, she
said to Mr.. Hoffman," Don't let crowd
see me; am willing to meet my God, but
l don't want to have crowd see me de-"
The Sheriff went at the head, followed by
the attending physicians, Drs. Stewart and
Wiley then came two of the Sisters and
two other ladies'; then the Prisoner and at
tendants, and after them some fifteen or
twenty gentlemen, who happened to be in
the Jail at the time. The square between
the Jail and the enclosure where the gallows
was erected, was kept entirely clear of peo-
pie by the Pioneer Guards, and in a few
moments the procession entered the enclo>
sure, and assembled the steps of the gallows.
ON THE DROP.
When the prisoner arrived upon the plat.
form, she was led forward, and kneeled upon
the drop,-the clergy, jailor, and the Sisters
and other ladies, in the same posture around
her. About five minutes were then spent
in reading prayers, by the clergy, in which
she seemed to take deep interest. Upon
rising she was asked if she had anything to
say. She spoke for minute, perhaps.
There was some repetition, but the following
is very nearly what she said
Il die without having had any mercy
shown me, or justice. die for the good of
my soul, and not for murder. May you all
profit by my death. Your courts of justice
are not courts of justice-but I will yet get
justice in Heaven. I am a guilty woman,
/ kno Y, but not of this murder, which was
committed by another. forgive everybody
who did me wrong. die sacrifice to the
law. ! hope you all may be judged better
than have been, and by more righteous
judge. I die prepared to meet my God"
Mr.. Hoffman then whispered "good-
bye" to her-when she showed some agita-
ton, and said-"O, Mr.. Hoffman, you pro
missed to stand by me to the last" He
assured her that be was not going to leave
her.
Mr.. Miller, the Deputy Sheriff, then ap,
preached her with the rope, when she ex~
claimed Z" DR.. Miller, how can you stain
your hands by putting that rope around my
neck--the instrument of my DEATH"
He assured her that duty compelled him
to do it, and she made no resistance, and
only said: "Do, for Gods sake, put it on
so it will not suffocate me-"
1t became necessary in fixing the rope to
lift the veil that was tied about her neck,
when she said :-"Mr. Hoffman, do leave
that veil between the rope and my neck"
He explained in a word, the necessity of
its being removed, when she said:-"Fix it
any way, so as not to sufocate me-"
After it had been arranged DR.. Miller
took the black cap from bis pocket, and
proceeded to put it on her head, when she
said ABE sure that my face is well COW
ered."
All this took place in less time than it
4