Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1865-11-15
WIRZ
Details of the Execution.


Special Dispatch to the Pittsburgh Commercial.
WASHINGTON, November 10.
The execution of Henry Wirz Attracted
crowds of spectators to the Old Cap
.itol this morning. At nine O'Clock
a strong military force arrived, and the
streets in front and at the side OF the
building was cleared. Holders of tickets
were admitted into the prison through
which they passed into the yard. a
rough gallows had been erected in one
corner Of the yard, on the platform oil
which stood four sentries, while from
the beam dangled tie fatal rope
which was to prove a dead line" to the
tyrant of AndersonYille. WirZ was in his
cell, attended by Fathers Boyle and
Wiggett, of the Roman Catholic Church.
Last night he ate a hearty oyster supper,
and then went to sleep at ten o'clock,
reposing quietly until he awoke at three
o'clock this morning. He then wrote his
farewell to his wife, and made some state
ments about his connection with the re-
bellion, avowing that he had maltreated
prisoners in accordance with orders from
superior officers, but solemnly asserting
that he had never killed any one, or per-
DCELaECo TX avs oEN4ADCN ~ LA@-Aa
After the sentence was read to him in
prison Wirz said: "Tm ID if the
Yankee eagle has not turned out to be
what l expected-a ID turkey buzz
zsrd." To-day he received g letter from
his wife, dated Cadiz, Kentucky, i n which
he used the most affectionate langua &c,
and expresses the hope that they then
were seeing their darkest hour. She ur-
ges him to cheer up, and prepare for the
worst but is satisfied that if the Govern
ment knew how much anguish they had
suffered, he would not be condemned to
death. She also states that she intends,
with the children, to go to his people IN
Europe.
Wfrz has been an inidel, but of late
professed repentance, just before the
hour appointed for the execution, a young
Massachusetts, official at the prison hand
ed him an autograph-album, in which
he wrote, in a clear, steady hand, sold
Capitol Prison, November, 10 1865. Hen
~ Wirz, Capt, and A. A. g., c. S. A"
There" said he, sis my last signature"
At halfpast nine, the preparations for
the execution were made. Wirz was at
tired in a long robe, or shroud, of black
cambria, and an attempt was made TO
handcufhis wrists, but his right arm was
so swollen that the iron could not be tas.
tened without giving pain. 81 don't
want TO be cross" said he: but don't
| hurt me-" The shackles were removed.
When summoned to leave the cell, Wirz
remarked to Father Boyle: 81 hope this
| black dress will soon be turned into a
white robe. 1 go willingly" At a quar-
ter past EN-, Major Russell came from
the prison, followed by the criminal, who
was escorted by his spiritual advisers.
He was a tall man and walked with a hrm
step, glazing up at the clear sky, as if re-
freshed by sunlight and air. His long
black hair was brushed smoothly down
his head, showing a high forehead. His
beard and mustache were full, almost
~concealing the expression of his face, and
his cunning eyes twinkled with q defiant
expression of apparent indifference. On
reaching the gallows he assembled the
steps with alacrity, and seated himself
in a chair placed upon the drop. Fa
Their BOYLE, from the hour he had re,
ceived the sacrament, stood at his right
hand, holding q small cruciix, and al
his left hand stood Father Wiggett-
| Msior Russell read, in a clear voice, the
long charges and specifications in which
the name of JEFF. Davis vas included
Wirz listened to the tedious document
with attention, nodding assent to some
portions, and shaking his head negative,
ly when other sections were being read,
Major Russell, turning toward the Grim
inal, asked him if he had any remark:
to make. He replied in an unconcerned
tone that he had no wish to say any.
thing to the public. To the Major, he
would say that he died innocent. He
had but once to die. His hope was II
the future.
The PrIests babe him farewell Will
words of consolation, and retired. h
stood erect upon the drop. The hang
man pinioned his arms and feet, adjus
ted the fatal moose, and put on the blacl
cap.
Then commenced unearthly yells from
those outside the prison yard, as if exc
Grating the perpetrator Of the atrociou
cruelties. Maj. Russell raised his cap.
The drop fell. Henry Wirz, with
sudden plunge, was hanged by the necl
until he was dead, dead, and may Coz
have mercy upon his soul" 1t was sew
en- minutes after the drop fell before tn.
c~onvulsive movements of the body ceased
and subsequent surgical examination
showed his neck was not broken.
After hanging fifteen minutes, tn
who'd wastaken and carried into the dea,
room, where it was placed in a coffin an,
intrusted to Father Boyle. The body j
to be deposited in the vault of the Cathc
lie Cemetry, until the wishes of Mrs. Wiz
concerning it can be known. Such ha
been the termination of the earthly CO
reer of anothersanguinary agent of tn
STAKEHOLDER.
ns