The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-11-03
SAINT PAUL. FRIDAY. NOVEMBER g. 1866

implored the Throne of Grace to show
mercy on the prisoner. The prayer recog-
nized the hand of God in all things, and
asked that the soul 80 soon to be launched
into eternity, might find its place on the
right hand Of God, as lasting monument
OF his grace, and the saving merits of Je-
sus. He then repeated the Lords prayer,
and to it the auditors responded by one
deep and solemn amen.
During the prayer the prisoner wept-
the first evidence of emotion which be had
yet given. Colonel SKATER took hand
kerchief and wiped the prisoners eyes,
his own at the same time being any other
than dry.
After this, the Colonel read the charges
and specifications against him-Ferguson
standing unmoved until he had read the
fifth, in which be was charged with mur-
dering the venerable Reuben Woods. When
that name was mentioned he dropped his
head, and looked steadily on the ground
for time. he was evidently effected |;
remorse had penetrated to bis callous heart.
But like Pharaoh, he coon steeled himself
against the reproaches of conscience, and
he raised his head and braved the worst.
On reading the 18th specification, in
which he is charged with numbering an old
man named Kiser, and bis little daughter,
| he shook his head; and on reading the
18th specification, in which he is charged
with numbering three soldiers of the Union
army, he turned to the Colonel and said |:
81 could tell it better than that, Colo
| nell"
81 presume you could" was the reply,
and the reading was continued.
From the 18th specification, to the end,
he nodded his head, at the close of each,
in acknowledgment of his guilt-or rather,
as lie claimed, in acknowledgment of his
exploits in legitimate warfare.
HIS LAST sPREoH.
After Col. SKATER had finished the read
ing, be turned to the prisoner and said:
In obedience to this order, Mr.. Fergu-
son, it is my duty to execute you"
II know it, responded the prisoner
I" Do you blame me2" inquired the COL
onel.
"Not particularly" was the response.
"Hsve you any thing to say ?"
81 can't speak much" said the prison.
er; 81 did some of the acts charged, but
not all some l know nothing about.
desire, Colonel, not to have my body cut
up by doctors, but l want to have it put
in that thing pointing to the coffin
"and taken to the grave yard in White
county, Tennessee, and laid there You
won't have me cut up, will you, Colonel p
"No," responded Col. Shafter, "you
| shall nodbe cut up; your body shall be
sent to your friends. Have you any thing
more to say?" ...
"Well, whenever you say stop, I'll
| STOP" said the doomed man; 81 am I'M
der your control; wouldn't be here if
could help it. but must, and I must SUBJ
init. What | am, | am, and l can't help
it; but you would not nave my body cut
up. would you Colonel?"
The Colonel again assured him that his
remains should be given to his family.
81 have continued the prisoner,
"some as good friends rs any man; but
they can't help me, nos. All l have to
say is / don't want to be cut up by the
doctors; will you put my body in that
thing again pointing to his coffin
"and send it to White county, Tennessee,
and have it buried in the old grave yard
there ?"
The Colonel again assured him that be
would accede to his request
The cap of death was then drawn down
over his face and Col. Shafter said:
"Have you any thing to say? If you
have, say it now, and we will wait on you. ::
Raising his head toward Heaven, be
said, in solemn tone:
"Lord, have mercy on me, Ipray you >
and as his voice ceased, by stroke of the
axe the support was severed, and the
drop fell, and the prisoner was suspended
between heaven and earth.
The drop fell at precisely twenty min
utes before twelve, and he remained hang
ing twenty-five minutes, when the body
was cut down and laid in the coffin, and
conveyed away. His neck was broken
and he bled profusely at the nose. After
he fell his body moved but twice, and that
slightly, so great was the shock of the
descent.
MISCELLANEOUS
On being asked concerning his political
faith, Ferguson said, die rebel"
While Oh the scaffold Ferguson recog
nized number of acqusinsnces in the
crowd, to all of whom be bowed politely
and accompanied the bow with a smile.
His family, after separating from him
went to the large house adjoining the peni
Tertiary, to await the result His wife wa
so deeply affected that she was compellet
to lie down; his daughter, however
neived herself up, even to the indignant
for, when the announcement was mad
that all was over, she exclaimed:
"Well, l hope they are satisfied now (!
-"Hangman Foote" applied yesterda
through Daniel 8. Dickinson, for admission {
practice law in the United States Suprem
Court. but failed to receive the privilege ON
ing to his inability to take the oath of allie