The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-07-10

'ULY 10 1865.
shoes. His collar, cut very low, showed
the tremendous muscularity of his neck
and the breadth of his breast was more
conspicuous by the manner in which
the pinioned, arms thrust it forward
His height, his vigor, his glare made
him the strong central figure of this in.
parliamentary tableaux. He said nc
word; his eyes were red, as with the
penitential weeping of courageous
man, and the smooth hardness Of his
skin seemed like polished muscle. He
did not look abroad inquisitively, nor
within intuitively. He had no accusa-
ton, no despair, no dreaminess. He was
only looking at death as for one long ex-
pected, and not tremor nor shock
stirred his long stately limbs; withal,
his blue eye was milder than when I
saw him last, as if some bitterness, OF
stolidness, or obstinate pride had been
exercised, perhaps by the candor of con-
fession.. Now and then he looked half
pityingly at the woman, and only once
moved his lips, as If in supplication.
Few who looked at him, forgetful of his
crime, did not respect him. He seemed
to feel that no man were more than his
peer, and one Of his last commands was
word of regret to Mr.. Seward.
l have a doubt that this man Is en-
tirely member of our nervous race.
believe that a fiber of the aboriginal
runs through his tough sinews. At
times he looked entirely an Indian. His
hair is tufted, and will not lie smooth.
His cheek bones are large and high set.
There is tint in his complexion. Per-
haps the Seminole blood Of his swampy
state left trace of its combative nature
there. ado I'D r.e-
Payne was preachers son, and not
the worst graduate Of his class. His
real name Is Lewis Thornton Powell.
He died without taking the hand of
any living friend. fr
Even the squalid Atzerodt was not so
poor. I felt a pity for his physical rath-
er than his vital or spiritual peril. 1t
seemed proclamation to break the iron
column of his neck, and give to the
worm his belted chest.
But remember that he would have
slain sick old man,
af53 BOOTHS COMPANION.
The third condemned, although whim-
pering, had far more grit than antici-
pated; he was inquisitive and fippant-
faced, and looked at the moose Haunting
before him, and the people gathered be-
low, and the haggar(t face of Atzerodt,
as II entirely conscious and incable of
abstraction. - = +. -.-,.... .s..,. t..e
Harold would have enjoyed this exc
cution as spectator. He was, think,
capable of u greater degree of depravity
than any of his accomplices. Atzerodt
might have made sneak thief, Booth a
forger, but Harold was not far from a
professional pickpocket. He was keen
eyed, insolent, idle, and, by small ex-
lerience in Houston street, would have
been qualified for first-class "knuck.p
He had not, like the rest, any political
suggestion for the murder of the heads
of the nation; and upon the gallows, in
his dirty felt hat, soiled cloth coat, light
pantaloons and stockings, he seemed
unworthy of his manacles.
A very ft1ssy Dutchman tied him up
and famed him, andhe wept forgetfully,
but did not make a halt or absurd spec
tacle. -.'''
THE INTENDED ASSASSIN OF vICEpREsIDENT
EVE ruI e1j JOHNSON.
Atzerodt was my ideal of a man about
to be hung--a dilution of Wallack's rem
dering of the last hours of Pagan, the
Jew; a sort of sick man, quite garrulous
and smitten, with his head thrown for
ward, muttering to the air, and pallid-
ness transparent through his dirt as he
jabbered prayers and pleas confusedly,
and looked In complaining sort of way
at the moose, as If not quite certain that
1t might not have designs upon him.
He wore greyish coat, black vest,
light pantaloons and slippers, and q
white affair on his head, perhaps hand
kerchief. -,
His spiritual adviser stood behind him,
evidently disguised with him.
Atzer0dt lost his life through too much
Cabling. He could have had serious
designs upon nothing greater than a
chicken, but talked assassination with
the silent and absolute Booth, until en-.
trapped into conspiracy and the gallows,
much against his calculation. This man
was visited by his mother and poor,
ignorant woman with whom he cohab-
tied. He was the picture of despair, and
died ridiculously, whistling up his
courage.
1iI THE pRAMAT1s PERsoN4.
These were the dramatis personse, no
more to be sketched, no more to be cross.
examined, no more to be shackled, soon
to be cold in their coff1ns.
They were, altogether, a motley and
miserable set. Ravaillac might have
looked well swinging In chains; Char.
lotte Corday Is said to have died like an
actress; Beale hung not without digni-
ty, but these people, aspiring to oveturn
a nation, bore the appearance Of troup
ii ignorant folks, expiating the blood
shed of brawl. al
AFTER READING THEDEATH WARRANT.
When General Hartrauft ceased read
ing there was momentary lull, broken
only by the cadences of the priests.
Then the Rev. Mr.. Gillette addressed
the spectators in adeep, impressive tone.
The prisoner, Lewis Thornton Powell,
otherwise Payne, requested him to thus
publicly and sincerely to return his
thanks to General Hartrauft, the other
officers, the soldiers, and all persons who
had charge of him and had attended
him. Not one unkind word, look or
gesture had been given to him by any
one. DR.. Gillette then followed in afer-
vent prayer In behalf of the prisoner,
during which Payne's eyes momentari-
ly filled with tears, and he followed in
the prayer with visible feeling.
Rev. DR.. Odds followed, saying in be-
half of the prisoner, David L. Harold,
that he rendered his forgiveness to all
who had Wronged him, and asked the