New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-03-31
THE HANGING or MRS. BLLANSKY IN
ST. PAUL, MIN
THE FIRST WOMAN EXECUTED IN THAT
STATE-PARTICULARS OF THE SCENE


We learn from The 81. Paul Pioneer Of March "a
that this unfortunate woman was hanged on tn1ay,
the 23d. The crime alleged against her was tina OF
poisoning her husband on the l2Gh Of March, loJS-
Every effort hal been made by her counsel 10 secure
her acquittai, but without effect. She escaped once
from the hall of tie jail, and, after weeks absence,
was Ietaken with person said TO be her paramo1f.
At the scafold the following scene occurred In the
presence Of hundred persons, among whom were a
number Of Dacotah or Sioux Indians, who had come
to witness this exhibition of Christian civilization
When The prisoner arrived upon tue platform, she
was led forward and kDeeled upon the DROP the cer
gy jaer, and Sisters of Charity and other Ladies In
the zane posture around her. About i've minutes
were then epent in reading prayers BY the clergy IA
she was asked if she had anything to say. She said;
81 Gle without having bad any mercy shown me, or
Justice die for the good OF my soul, and not for
murder May you al profit by. my death. fonr
courts Of Justice not courts Of justice; but VIII
yet get justice in heaven. I am = guilty woman, l
know, bat not Of this murder, which was comniueu
by another. j forgive everybody who did me wrong.
/ die sacrifice to the law. hope you all may be
Judged better than Ihavs been, and by more righteous
Juoee. ole prepared 90 meet my God"
DR.. Miller, the Deputy Sheriff, then approached her
with the rope when she exclaimed DR.. Miller, how
you stain your hands by putting that rope around
my neck-tbe instrument of my ceath T.
He assured her that duty com peled him to 90 y ana
sbe made no resistance and only said Do, for Gods
cake, put it on 20 it VIII not suffocate me"
After il had been arraoged Dr. Mi Ter took the BLACK
r.
head, when che said, BE sure that my face L. Wen
covered"
All this took place in ess time than Il win take TO
read it, during which che sad several tines tod,
have ercy--God have mercy on my soul" her
last words were, "Lord Jesus Christ, receive nay
soul"
She was requested TO take step forward on the
drop and then, everything being prepared Or; hlier
made motion TO Sheriff Tullis who pulled the ist
rope, and in an instant she fell. The fall was aoous
four feet and the machinery was so nicely ABUSED
that the noise was scarcely heard outside Of the IN
closure.
There was scarcely any movement In the BODY amer
II dropped; a slight convulsve motion and heaVD8
of the chest was all that was observed.
The body was allowed TO hang about twenty min
utes during which time prayers were read audiby py
tie clergy who remained kneeliDg on the platform
The physicians having examined the body several
times then stated TO the Sheriff that life was extinct
and she was cut down and placed in plain black
coffin that had been placed Ia front OF the 8ailows
ourip the whe'e period Of the execution.
Her demeanor on the scatfold was excellent. She
was not defiant or stoica neither did che shed ear
II is the opinion of many that she expected pardon
or repEeve to the last moment.
The most disgusting feature connected WIN mo
affair says The Pi0Tetr, was the eagerneee and per-
sistency with which fema sought 70 obtain elgbIs
places to view the dying agonies Of one OF their own