Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-04-10
not to suffer the least shock. He left me the fol-

not to suffer the least shock He left me the fol-
lowing paper
THURSDAY MORNING, May s, I7s9
"Tayor, every thing depends on your presence
of mind. Remember that the human machine
may be put in tune again if YOU preserve the spi-
nal muscle from injury, and do not dislocate the
vertebre Of the neck: as the COLI spnalis is de-
duced from the transverse processes of the YER
tebr@ of the throat, and is lattery inserted into
the vertebra of the neck, its connection with the
whole human frame is material; so that YOU
must endeavor TO work the knot behind your
neck, and press your throat upon the halter
which will prevent the neck 5 breaking, and like
wise the cOmpressions of the jugular, and pre-
serve the circulation in some degree. Keep up
your spirits"
Ny hopes were now raised and my former ter
ror did not return upon me, which doubt not
was observed by the reverend parson who at
tended me, by the officers of justice and the mul
titude, who doubtless compared my behaviour
with that of my fellow sufferer 1t is true when
| mounted the stage, dreaded the pain of hang-
ing as should any other bodily pain, equally Sc
we're; but the far greater distress of meeting an
offended inexorabe Judge, and being consigned
to endless misery, was done away. For the
nearer the time of execution approached, the
more my reliance on the doctor increased.
You were present at the solemn parting with
and warning which was given TO the peOple-at
the excellent prayer of the Rev. Mr. Stllman,
and the dropping of the traps, which, to all ap-
pearance, launched and my poor, unhspPr
fellow prisoner. Archibald Taylor INTO bound
less eternity.
But to return to my particular feelings pre-
served my presence of mind; and when the halter
was fastened, remembered the doctors directions,
and while the prayer was making j kept gently
turning my head so as to bring the knot on the
back of ny neck, nearly as 0'Donnell after
ward informed, and as you and Others observed
When the trap fell ] had all my senses about me;
and though | have no remembrance of hearing
any sounds among the people, yet believe did
not lose ny senses till some minutes after. My
first feelings after the shock of falling was vio-
lent strans!ing and oppression for want ofbreath
this soon gave way to pain in my eyes, which
seemed tO be burned by two balls of fire which
appeared before them, which seemed to dart OF
an off like lightning; setting ever and anon upoI
my shoulders as if they weighed ten hundred tuns
and after one terrible flash. in which the TIVE
balls seemed to join, in one, sunk away withou
pain, like one falling to sleep.
What followed after ! was turned offyou know
as l was informed you kindly assisted my othe
friends in taking the body down soon as yor
were permitted, and carrying it across the salt
works to the small boat; | was thence taken OF
board the two mast boat to the doctor, to all ap
pearance dead; for O'Donnell, who was directe
by the doctor to cut and loosen my clothes, an
rub me, throwing water me, could perceiy
no life in me- but told the doctor it was too late
But the doctor was not discouraged, and in on
hou and twenty-five minutes after was brougf
on board the boat, making two hours and forty
three minutes after was turned off, he perceive
signs oflife in me. by small motion and warmt
! in my bosom. In twenty minutes after | gave
/ violent deep groan. Here description failsl
can not describe the intolerable agony of that mC
ment Ten thousand stranglings are trihng
! it, The first confused thoughts | had were, thi
it was the moment of my dissolution; for | ha
no knowledge of nv removal from the gallow
! but was quite insensble from the time first 10
myself to that in which recovered-except son
faint glimmerings of a scene, which, faint an
confused as they were ] shall never forget, bl
which | feel impressed upon my heart, / ougl
to communicate 10 no man living. l was soc
after this violent anguish made .ensibie where
was: the doctors stuff and sight of my friend
restored me in a great measure to my senses. III
doctor would not allow me to talk much b.
feeling fatgued he allowed me to lie down; havir
two persons by me to rub me with brush viii
i slept.
When | awoke it was dark. felt somewh
light-headed and confused from the dreadful scel
| had passed through. Allhands were now calle
and a solemn oath was taken by all present n
to tell any thing which had happened until tn,
should know that | was safe out of the countr
and then not to discover the doctor, his friend
apprentice. | was then put ON shore, and we
from thence on board the vessel which broug
me here.
am engaged to go to Gottenburg, in Swede
and shall sail to morrow in a ship which is cor
| ing down the river from Philadelphia. | sha
take my family name, and return to my paren
prodigal son, indeed. God grant, as l have 5
verely eaten husks, that | may soon eat bread
my earthly parents house; and be prepared f
such bread as the saints in glory love, and SUI
as angels eat, in that house which is not mac
with hands, eternal in the heavens.
remain your assured friend, until death sha
indeed come. JOSEPH TAYLOR.