Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1865-07-14
EKEcuTloW 0F THE eoNsPIRATnRs.

EC4EGW 10 De AdlRG0 bO-udHs H6I6 GACC4ACu
On petition of Mary e. Surratt, through
her counsel, Messrs. Aiken and Clam
pitt, Judge Wylie, of the Supreme Court
of this district, directed an issue of a
writ OF habeas corpus to General Han
cock, commanding him to produce IN
court, at ten o'clock this morning, the
body of Mary E. Surratt, with cause of
detention. The writ was served on Gen.
Hancock, at the Metropolitan Hotel, at
eight o'clock this morning, by United
States Marshal Gooding. He immedi-
ately consulted the Attorney General and
Secretary of War. At 1920 the Gener-
was brought to the notice of the court
by her counsel, but the Judge said he had
not the power to enforce the writ.
Early to-day guards were placed all
around the arsenal grounds to prevent
the intrusion of the people to the scene
of the execution, none being admitted ex-
cepting those previously supplied with
tickets by Major General Hancock.
The relatives Of Mrs. Surratt and Har-
old spent several hours with them during
the forenoon, and they were also attend
ed by their spiritual advisers, as were al
so Payne and Atzerott.
A few minutes after one O'Clock the
outer dOor of the prison was opened, and
Mrs. Surratt was supported to the gallows
by two military officers next followed
Atzerott, Harold and Payne, accempan-
led by a guard and their respective min
listers of the gospel.
Front seats were provided for them on
the platform, in the following order
Mrs. Suratt, Payne, Harold and Atzerott.
Officers entrusted with the execution and
ministers occupied intermediate positions.
Major General Hartrauft, who has been
from the commencement in charge of the
prisoners. came forward and read the or
der of the Wa Department, approving
the sentences and ordering the penalty
of death to be inflicted.
A heavy guard was stationed on the
walls surrounding the grounds, while be-
low the soldiers were formed on two sides
of a square. Perhaps several hundred
civilians were present, anxious spectators
of the solemn scene.
One of the priests attending Mrs. Sur
raft repeated a short prayer, to which
Payne, who was seated near to her, atten-
lively listened.
The minister who had been administer
ing to Payne expressed, In the name of
the latter, his sincere thanks to General
Hartrauft, and the officers and soldiers
who had charge of him, for their personal
kindness. They had not uttered an often
slve word nor given an unpleasant look
or gesture, but seemed to compassionate
his misfortune. The minister then utter
ed a brief prayer, asking for Payne the
forgiveness of all his sins, and a passage
out of this world into the joys of Heaven.
The minister who attended Harold also
returned thanks for the kind treatment
of the prisoner, and offered a prayer that
God would receive his soul.
Harold was affected to tears.
The mIufSfRr-Uh attended AfZnrOtt
also returned thanks to General Hart
rauft and other officers for their kind at
~tention, and invoked the mercy Of God
upon the prisoners.
The condemned were then required to
rise from their seats, when the chairs
were removed. They were now all on the
drops, their hands were fastened behind
them and their legs bandaged both below
and above the knees, and white caps we're
placed over their heads.
Atzerott, while being prepared for exc
cution, exclaimed, Gentlemen, farewell !
Take carel Goodbye, gentlemen now
before me-" One of the ~clergymen stand
ing near exclaimed, May we all meet in
the other world" AS soon as the moose
was placed around each neck, Mrs. Sur
rats being the last one adjusted, the sec
ton of the platform on which they had
been standing suddenly fell, and the eul-
prits were hanging several feet from the
ground. Mrs. Surratt and Payne scarce
~ moved a muscle. Atzerott showed
twitching. but Harold showed more
nervous sensibility than anyof the others.
The bodies hung until life was extinct,
and were afterwards given over for burial,
rough collins being already on hand for
that purpose. The arrangements for the
execution were perfect. Major General
Hancock was present throughout the pro-
ceedings.
It is said that Payne last night made a
statement in behalf of Mrs. Surratt, ex-
onerating her from cupability, and that
another person subscribed to an affidavit
impeaching the testimony of an impor-
tant witness against her.