Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-10-24
From the Nashville Dispatch. Oct. 2Ist.
EXECUTION OF CHAMP FERGUSON.



scene at the scaffold.
Champ Ferguson was executed in the yard of
the State Peuitentiary yesterday forenoon. About
300 passes were issued by the authorities, and
fully that number surrounded the scaffo!d. At
10 o'clock precisely, we entered a hack. with
several reporters CT toe city press, drove to the
State Prison. having been informed by the Pro-
vost Marshal that the execution would take
place in the forenoon. We found = large con-
course Of people 80 the outer wall, who were
eager TO pass the guards, but they we're kept
back by a strong military force, On reaching
the gate of the prison, We were met by Col. Shat
Ter, the Post Commandant, and Capt. Dykeman,
Provost Marshal. On entering the yard, we be-
held the scaffold, which was formed b7 two per-
pendicular beams, with a cross bar at the top,
aud a floor about five feet from the ground. The
trap door was about three fee, square, and fas-
tened by a rope which was tied over the edge of
the flooring, 50 that on ~chopping it with a sharp
Ratchet. the trap would fall. Nearly an hour
was consumed after We arrived, in averaging the
rope AMI other fixtures around the scGfold.
LAST INTERVIEW WITH CHAMP.
BY request of he reporters, Col. Skater con.
Quoted them TO the cell in the prison, in order 70
get his last words. We found him in commu-
MON with his wife and daughter. Col. Shafter
asked Champ il he had anything 10 say to the
reporters OF the city press. He replied that he
only wished a private interview with the repor-
ter of the Dispatch, to whom be had made his
confession. We entered the cell ia COMPANY
with Lieutenant A. VI. Coddington. He said
that he had no desire TO alter any Of his COMES
sion made to Us on Wednesday, but had a few
more words to add to il. We noted them down.
and give them in connection with the comics
zion. which follows the report ofthe execution.
TIN PARTING SCENE Win HIS FAxILY.
On emerging from the cell, Col. Shsfter DO
litely requested Mrs Ferguson and her daughter
TO take their final leave of the husband and "a
Their. The only persons present were the three
officers, Chaplain Coddington and ourself. It
was painful scene, and brought tears 10 ths
eyes OF all who Witnessed it. The wife grasped
his hand firmly. and gave him a loving. farewell
look. They did not embrace. She turned and
surrendered herseli to the terrible anguish of her
heart. The daughter, as we have before men
toned, is a lovely and beautiful girl of sixteen,
with large. expressive black eyes, and a sweet
countenance. As she approached her father for
the last time oh this side OF the grave, he opened
wide bis arms TO receive her. and her bead fell
on his bosom. No words we're uttered BY either
OF them for about one minute. The few per
sons present turned from the scene with tears in
their eyes. The last bitter word OF mman was
given, aud the lovely maiden shrieked, fare
we'll, ny poor, poor, papa!" The mother and
daughter then retired 10 a brick building adioin-
ing the prison.
CHAMP FERGUSON oy THE scAfFoLp.
On bidding bis final adieu to his little family.
Champ turned To the executioner who had the
ropes, and asked, Must / be tieif" He was
informed that it was customary. He then calmly
folded his hands behind his back aud was tied at
the elbows and wrists. He was asked if the rops
was too tight, or painful, t. which be replied,
after moving himself, that he was very comfor-
table. He remarked that his feet ought also to
be tied, TO which the executioner informed him
that il would be done on the scaffold. The
guards then formed on either side Of him. and
with a firm step. he advanced through the hall
OF the prison, and entered the yard by the side
gate, the chaplain being in front Of him and the
Post Commandaut and Provost Marshal on either
side. The walls of the prison were guarded by
colored soldiers. and a hollow square was for med
around the scafold by the Sixteenth Infantry.
On entering the yard of the prison, Champ held
his head up. and deliberately surveyed the audi
ence. When he approached the scaffold, be cast
his eyes upward, as if to see what il was like. and
then mounted the stairs with 4 firm step. and
turned to the spectators. He recognized several
familiar faces in the thrOng aud politely bowed
to each of them. He appeared like a man who
was about 10 make q speech on some leading
s~tNb AZ "a c4uPtl pdu-cI W refresh dis
memory. lie scanned the spectators. closely.
and not a muscle or nerve contracted. He was
in excellent health. and looked as well. perhaps.
as he ever did in his life. A fine suit OF black
broadcloth added greatly TO his personal. and be
appeared very neatly dressed.
CHARGES AND SENTENCE.
The oommandant OF the Post, Col. Shafter.
proceeded 10 read the charges aud specifications.
together with the sentence Of the Court. As the
dlfercnt charges were read, he either boz ed in
acknowledgment or shook his head in denial of
them. lie emphatically denied the killing of the
twelve soldiers at SAltsville. He turned indifer-
ently al The mention of Slower, and when the
dame of Elam Huddleston was read he shook
lis head, and remarked that he could tell il bet |
ter than that. he bowed his head at the men
ton OF several names, acknowledging that he
killed them. The Colonel then said: In &C
cordance with the sentence | have read. Champ
Ferguson, / am going to execute you" DE
never evinced a single emotion, and with an iron
nsIVe, and countenance firm and determined, re-
piled, Il am ready to die
At the conclusion, the Chaplain, Rev. Mr..
Bunting. offered up a beautiful PRAYER. invoking
the blessing OF Almighty God on the doomed
man. Ii was quite evident that Ferguson was
deeply affected by the touching words OF The min
iSteT. and several large tears glistened in his
eyes. lie turned 10 Col Shafter at the eoDcla-
sion OF the prayer. and asked him 70 take his
handkerchief from his pocket and wipe his face
The Colonel complied with the request. al tie
same time conversing with him in an undsrtone
Tie words we're of cheer. for his cOuntenancc
it up III radiance. The Colonel then asked hin
II he had sny hard feelings towards the officers
or any others who were performing the painful
duty. He replied. None in the world: | thank
you FOR your kindness TO me-"
The coffin Was placed directly in front of the
gallows. and in fell view. IL was a neat raised
cherry colin. lined and trimmed in good style
MS Last WORDS. |
The Colonel asked him if he had any remarks
TO make he replied that be bad plenty to saw
II be knew how 10 say il. he requested that
bis remains be placed in that box, nodd;ns 10
the cof6n. and turned over 20 his ~ife 10 be