The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1865-07-12
Details OF The Execution OF the
ConsPiratOrs-Dying Speeches
Df tia e Prisoners. r- ..,-.t.aF

Details OF The Execution OF the
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Speeches
OF the Prisoners. 10 srarvE .
WASHINGTON, July Ion the petition
Of MaryE Saratt, through her counsel,
Aiken and Clampitt, Judge Wylie, of the
Supreme Court of the District, directed an
issue of the writ Of habedS corpus to Gen.
Hancock, commanding him to produce in
Court at 100 clock this morning, the body o
Mrs. Sur att, with cause of her detention.
the writ was served on General Hancack
at the Metropolitan Hotel, at o clock this
morning, by United States Marshal Good
ing. He Immediately consulted with the
Acknowledgement and the Secretary of War.
At half past 10 clock the General had not
obeyed the writ. This fact was brought tC
the notice Of the Court by the counsel, but
the Judge said he mad not the power to en-
force the writ H. ... .... ..
At an early hour, to day, guards were
placed all around the Arsenal grounds, tc
prevent the intrusion of persons to the
scene of execution, none being admitted ex-
cepting those previously suppled with tick
cts by Major General Hancock. .t
The relatives of Mrs. Surratt and Harold
spent several hours with them during the
forenoon, and they were also attended by
their spiritual advisers, as were also Payne
and Atzerott. r .Ha..'
A few minutes after o'clock, the outer
prison-door was opened, and Mrs Suratt
was supported on her way to the gallows by
two military officers. Perhaps several hun
dred civilians were present, anxious specta-
tors of the solemn scene. .. .Eaa.
One of the priests. attendant on Mrs.
Surratt, repeated short prayer, to which
Payne, who was seated next to her. listened
attentively. The minister, who has been
administering to Payne, expressed in the
name Of the latter, his sincere thanks to
General Hartsrff, and the officers and SOL
diers who had charge of him, for their per-
sonal kindness. They had not uttered an
unkind word, nor given an unpleasant look
or gesture, but seemed compassionate in his
misfortune. E5ri .T Ha
Next followed Atzerott, Harold and
Payne, accompanied ty guard and their
respective ministers Of the Gospel Front
seats were provided for them on the plat
form in the following order Mrs Surratt,
Payne, Harold and Atzerott; the officers
lntrusted with the execution and ministers
occupied intermediate positions. . ~
Major-Gcneral Hartsutf, who has been
from the commencement in charge of the
prisoners, came forward and read the order
OF the War department, already published,
approving the sentences, and ordering the
penalty Of death to be inflicted. A heavy
guard was stationed on the walls surround
ing the ground, while below, soldiers were
formed on two sides of square. ....
The minister then uttered brief prayer
asking forrPayne the forgiveness of all his
sins, and passage out Of this world in %
the joys cf 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 af-
iected to tears. .'|.n ...f u-
The minister who attended Atzerott also
returned, for him, than KS to General Hart
suff and other officers for kind attentions,
and then invoked the mercy Of God upon
the prisoners. .ft& aPa-' ..g. .'t -
The condemned were then required to
rise from their seats, when the chairs we're
removed Theyswcre now all on the drops;
their hands were first fastened behind them
and their legs banGaged, 10th below and
above the knees, and white caps placed over
their heads 's U Tf - f
Atz@rott. while being prepared for the ex-
ecution exclaimed, 'tentenlcn, farewell;
take good care; good-hy Now, before
Wr---' .f ron {'p.
rOne of the cIergymcn standing near ex-
claimed. ''May We all meet in the other
world! AS soon as the noose was placed
around each neck, Mrs. Sut1att being the
last one adjusted, the section of the plat
form on which they had been standing, sud
denly fell, and the culprits were hanging
several feet from the ground Mrs. Sur
ratt and. Payne scarcely moved muscle
Atzerott exhibited some twitchings, but
Harold showed more nervous sensibility
than any of the others. n.u
The bodies hung until life was extinct,
and were afterward given over for burial.
the rough coffhs beng already at hand for
that purpose. The arrangements for the
execution were perfect Nlajor.Gencral
Hancock was present throughout the pro-
ceedings. s y .
IL is said Payne last night, made state
ment'in behalf of Mrs. Sunutt, exonerat-
ing her from completely; and that another
person subscribed to an affidavit impeaching
the. testimony Of AN important witness
against her. .oa "n. 7''hes3 91] as
. tHyt b. ,...,. O.. ..ffE .., .... d. N.,.t.f