Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1865-07-13
Hanging Of the Assass1ns.


sinated President Lincoln has finally closed.
After an impartial and fair trial they have
been convicted, that is the supposed main
actors in the conspiracy have been found
guilty of the crimes al against them
The sentences, which ). ere forthwith APP
proved by the President were that David
E. Harold, Lewis Payne, Mrs. Mary A.
Surratt, and Geo. A. Atzerott be hung by
the neck until they are dead, which was
ordered to be done by the proper military
authorities on the 18th of July. DR.. Mudd
Samuel Arnold, and O'Laughlln are to be
imprisoned for life, Spangler is sentenced
to siE years imprisonment at hard labor IN
the penitentiary at Albany.
Early in the morning Of the 18th guards
were placed all around the arsenal grounds
at Washington in which the condemned
were confined, to prevent the intrusion of
persons to the scene Of execution, none be-
ing admitted except those previously sup
piled with tickets by Gen. Hancock. The
relatives of Mrs. Surratt and Harold spent
several hours with them during the fore
noon, and they we're also attended by their
spiritual advisers, as were also Payne and
Atzerott A few minutes after l O'Clock
the outer prison door was opened, and Mrs.
'Surratt was supported on her way to the
galows by military officers. Next followed
Atzerott, Harold, and Payne, accompanied
by gaurd, and their respective ministers
of the Gospel. Front seats were provided
for them on the platform, in the following
order: Mrs. Surratt, Payne, Harold, and
Atzerrott. The officers intrusted with the
execution and the ministers occupied the
intermediate positions.
Mai. Gen. Hartrauft who has been from
the commencement in charge OF the prison
ers, came forward and read the order of the
War Department, already published, APP
proving the sentences, and ordering the
penalty OF deatn 10 De inulcleu
A heavy guard was stationed on the wall
surrounding the grounds, while below sol
diers were formed on two sides OF square.
Perhaps several hundred civilians were
present, anxious spectators of the solemn
scene.
One of the priests attendant on Mrs. Sur
raft, repeated short prayer, to which
Payne, who was seated next to her, atten-
lively listened.
The minister who had been administering
to Payne, expressed in the name of the lat
ter. his sincere thanks to Gen. Hartrauft
and to the officers and soldiers who had
charge Of him; for their personal kindness.
They had not uttered an unkind word, nor
given an unpleasant look or gesture, but
seemed to compassionate his misfortune
The minister then uttered brief prayer,
asking for Payne the forgiveness of all his
sins, and u 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 prayer that God
would receive his soul. Harold was affect
ed to tears.
The minister who attended Atzerott also
returned thanks, for him, to Gen. Hart
rauft and other officers, for kind attention,
and then invoked the mercy of God upon
the prisoner.
The condemned were then requested to
rise from their seats, when the chairs were
removed They were now on the drops
Their hands were fastened behind them
and their legs bandaged both below and
above the knees, and white caps placed over
their heads. Atzerott, while been prepared
for execution, exclaimed: "Gentleman
farewell, take care and good bye gentleman
now before me-" One of the clergymeE
standing near exclaimed: MAY we al
meet in the other world"
As soon as the ropes were put arounC
their necks, Mrs. Surratt being the last ont
adjusted, the section of the platform or
which they had been standing suddenly
fell and the culprits were hanging severa
feet from tn. ground. Mrs. Surratt anC
Payne scarcely moved a muscle, Atzerott
exhibited some twitching, but Harold show
ed more nervous sensibility than any of tht
others.
The bodies hung until life was extinct
and were afterwards given over for burial
the rough collins being already at hand fol
that purpose. The arrangements for th'
execution were perfect. Maj. Gen. Hancock
was present throughout the proceedings.
1t is said that Payne made statement
in behalf of Mrs. Surratt, last night exhon
Grating her from completely, and that an
other person subscribed to an affidavit i'm
peaching the testimony of an important
witness against her.
Strong efforts were made to induce the