Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1865-11-01
From, the Na.hville Daily Press, Oct. 2ls..
of the Execution of Champ
Furstson.

On Wednesday uigst rumors were currer
On the street that reprieve had arrived, an
was in the hands of the military authorities
Though incorrect. maay friends OF the con
demned man were looking for such respite
The papers In the case had been dispatches
to Washington by a trusty me- senger, sn'
strong hopes were entertained that powe
higher than Gen. Stoneman would delay tn
execution. Criminal as the man was, he hat
adherents to his fortune, who we're ready tt
spare neither effort nor expense to secure hit
release. Bets we're made yesterday at vari
Gus odds, seme as hig h as four to one' thai
Champ Furguson would not be hung.
On Wednesday his family were with him
part of the day, A redeeming feature of the
guerrilla's character was the intense affection
he bore his wife and daughter. In his de-
meanor towards them all his ferocious in
stincts gave way to tenderness that was
almost womanly. During his trial, the
greatest deprivation seemed to be the absence
of his loved ones. Their comfort and their
welfare appeared to be always uppermest in
his mind. Separation from them was source
of constant pain. To bid them farewell was
the greatest trial to his fortitude.
Yesterday morning, from eight o'clock un-
~ l.. ,r,, +oi,o,, f,n,o b;s naIl m tho ccoff,d
his family were again with him. His wife
sat by his side, with her arms around his
neck, spending with him the last hours on
earth. But, as We saw him thus, he appeared
calmcr than most men would have been when
parting from home to go on distant journey.
Beyond an unnatural flush on his face, and q
triaing droop of the eyes, he looked as we
used to see him in the court room in the days
of his trial.
On reaching the penitentiary early yester-
day morning, we found detachrnents from
the 18th. United States Colored Infantry on
duty before tbe entrance, under command OF
Col. Eunis, with Capt. Levi Patchin as Off
Ger of the day, aud Lieutenant ". Evans as
officer of the guard. A large crowd of men
and boys were on the ground, seeking entrance
without passes. Colored sentries were pa
cling the walls which surround the yard where
the execution. was to take place.
catering the gate we found the hearsc,
containing stained poplar coffin, ordered
by the Government from Mr.. Cornelius, to
receive the remains of Champ Furguson. He
had desired for himself coffin made cf cher
~, and doubtless his wishes would have been
complied with in so small q matter, but the
other had been filed before his wishes were
known. The burial case was not pretending,
but gotten up in much better style than that
usually awarded to criminals. 1t was removed
from the hearse at twenty minutes past ten
o'clock, and conveyed to the inner yard,
where it was deposited in front Of the gallows,
and the lid removed.
The gallows was rude structure, which
had been previously used, and was the same
as ever, excel the Introduction of q new cross
beam. 1t was erected on Thursday, and is
the common upright galows, with platform
about eight feet square, containing drop
some four feet square. Up a frontage of six
step, The condemned man was tc mount to
his doom. The rope for use on the occasion
was four-strand Manila hemp, the strength
of which had been previously tested with a
two hundred pound weight. At twenty five
minutes to eleven o'clock, the rope was ad-
jasted to the ring suspended from the center
of the cross beam, allowing a fall of some
two feet.
At twenty minutes past eleven o'clock the
prisoner appeared under guard, and mounted
the gallow with elbows and hands pinioned,
and accompanied by Captain Dykeman, Post
Provost Marshal, Col. Shafter, Commandant
of the Post, and his spiritual adviser, Rev. Mr..
Bunting, of the First Presbyterian Church.
He walked without assistance, apparently
without fear, with erect body and steady
walk. He did not seem to shrink back at
sight of the scaffold or the coffin, which he
passed with outward composure and assembled
the steps fronting the gallows, to the platform
where he took his position upon the drop, o.
his own accord.
Furguson is powerfully framed man, si1
feet one and quarter inches high, and weigh
ing about one hundred and sixty pounds
His muscular organization is finally developed
and rounded off like prize lighters. Hi
physical build, with a large full chest, indica
ted great strength and endurance of body
with very unusual energy OF character. HI
carried himself quite erect, and he wa'
dressed with scrupulous neatness, in black
cloth frock coat, with vest and pants Of th,
same material, end black gloves and mes
CATERS. This neatness ef the prisoner ha
always been one Of his peculiaritieS, and wa
noticeable feature of his character durini
bis trial.,
! Col. Shafter then proceeded to read to th
prisoner the charges and specifications upo