The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-07-12
THE EXECUTION

we copy from the Fdlr15etd Ledger Er
ira, the following account of the progress Of
the mob after leaving Fairfield to the place
of execution on Cedar Greek, and the hang
ing of Kephart, to complete the account of
our attentive Fairfield correspondent who
was not present at the execution.
The wagon containing the prisoner stopped at near.
ly all the houses the for the urpose of show
ing him. He appeared quite faint several times wa
ter thrown on his head to keep him as cool as
! possible. The crowd sweed in numbers, and about
miles from town the numbern the reached
9S3 persons. Crowds Of people continually
coming in and when the procession arrived at the
place of execution there could not have been less
than 1900 We got ahead Of the teams and proceeded
to the creek. When arrived, there from 1900
to 1900 persons the ground. The citizens had
ted substantial gallows on the bank, Immediately
above the place where the bodies were found. A
grave had also been dug Immediately under the gal
lows. Every preparation complete, and the peo-
pie anxously waiting the arrva the prisoner
the bank the opposite side of the creek lined
with women, children and men. We think there
between 800 and 400 witness the execution Of
a human being There people in the crowd
from distance of rs and 80 miles. John Beach, Of
Agency>City, Wapello county, made an infanmatory
adore SIS, saying that he had always been peacable
and law-abidng citizen and was so yet. That the
prisoner ought to be hanged. That they would OBJ
the substance of the law and dispense with the
FORM and that he there give this matter
tenance by issprcsence.
The road by which the prisoner weut wound round
until the distance travelled from Fairfield about
SO 10 miles. About 26 O'Clock the cry raised
that the prisoner had After short delay, he
was brought forward supp orted by two men, who
sisted him up the ladder on to the gallows. He ap-
pealed much exhausted and his legs very stiff
much that it with difficult for him to pace hisfe
| upon the rounds of the ladder, He was at length
placed upon the gallows, when he dropped into o
chair. We invited to take seat upon the gal
lows. Efforts were being made to induce
Kephart to confess. No trial wass had everyone be-
ing firmly convinced of his guilt that the matter
trial was not thought of. The services of minister
were not offered nor asked for. Two minutes were
now allowed the prisoner to make confession. He
said he was innocent Of the murder Of the woman
He appeared much concerned about his oxen and
watch and after fsmbng about his person said that
he had not the watch with him. but that he wished 1t
it and the oxen should be given to his son. He then
asked where he to be buried and If his shroud
made He was shown his grave, and on learning what
he wanted one in the crowd said that he would
get no shroud
His hands were tied behind his back with white
and also fastened over his face and
at IL minutes pat he led the trap ana told
that II he would confess he would be taken of. The
rope placed around his neck by Wash. Lewis of
Ottumwa. He was again asked II he would confess
He turned his head partly round and said "Let me
down I'll faint" D. r. Huhstatter Of wapello coun-
seized the Ratchet and gave the rope which held
the trap door blow. The rope was served the trap
door FELL and at 3A o'clock John Kephart was launch
ed into eternity his hands reeking with the blood Of
his murdered victims, unprepared to appear before
Throne of the Most High. Silence profound reigned
| for few minutes the vast crowd drew one long
breath, and the jest and fippant remark
heard in all directions Several persons then spoke
from the galows, calling attention to the greatest
murderer that ever disgraced the soil Of Iowa. and
| paliating the course pursued. subscription was
started for the purpose paying for tn. gallows10
was raised. At 3-25 left the ground, and when
half mile distant could hear shout upon shout
resoundng throughout the forest reminding us Of the
cheers at political meeting The body was allowed
to hang till four o'clock II then cut down. fall.
ing distance Of about eight feet and placed on
| a board where all could 1t. Resolutions were
passed disposng Of the effects Of Kephart 1t was
Resoired, That the money found in the wagon, the
wagon Itself and the oxen should be given for the
benefit ofthe living boy Of the murdered woman.
| guardian was appointed for the boy. We did not
learn what disposition was finally made Of the body.
as there were several physicians the ground who
said it was useless to bury the body they de-
| termined to have 1t.
We are opposed to Lynch Law, and deeply regret
that county win have to under the stigma Of
contai ming citizens who will take the law into their
own hands. We are afraid that the precedent now
established may lead to other occurrences Of like
character, and that anarchy and the widest excess
may reign throughout the land. Everything that
could be done to stay the proceedings at the Jail was
attempted by citizens; but the angry crowd would
be satisfied with nothing short Of the prisoner and
upon them and them alone, must rest the blame The
offence Of the prisoner was great and the sight Of the