The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-07-20

Special Dispatch to The Tribune.
Washington, July 10, 1865.
When about to rise from her chair for
the purpose of being pinioned, Mrs. Sur
ratt inquired of her spiritual adviser what
she should say on the scaffold, and upon
being answered, 90, nothing-what do
you desire to say 2" replied, THAT | am
innocent"
Mrs. Douglas, the widow of the late
Senator, made two personal attempts to
obtain from the President a reprieve for
Mrs. Surratt, but in each case was firmly
but courteously denied.
A very bitter feeling in relation to her
summary execution exists among quon-
dunn Rebels, and, particularly among the
Catholics of the city, who, it is rumored,
intend to call meetings. for the purpose OF
denouncing the action of the Military
Commission and the President.
Statement Of Rev. DR.. Galette-Last
Words of the Condemned-.Sirteen
Hours an the Cells.
From the Washington Chronicle.
The Rev. DIR. Gillette, pastor of the
First Baptist Church, improved the So
lemnities of the. past week by an appro-
pirate discourse, especially to young men.
He had never been more impressed
with the Importance of this duty than
during the sixteen hours which he passed
with the 'convicts in the penitentiary be-
tween Thursday afternoon and that of
Friday.
On Thursday DR.. G.. was called upon
by Assistant Secretary of War Eckert,
who invited him to visit the cells of the
doomed convicts for the purpose Of ad-
ministering to them such spiritual conso-
lations as were needed. Stepping into
the Secretary's carriage, he at once ac-
companied him thither. On their arri-
val Mr. Eckert introduced him to officers,
and then to the convicts.
The first call was upon Payne, whose
real name he soon ascertained toRe Lew
is Thornton Powell, his middle name be-
ing after the Rev. DR.. Thornton, Pres
byterian clergyman of Charleston, South
Carolina.
Powell welcomed him, and at once pro-
ceeded to relate his early history. His
father was baptist minister. The con-
vict had been from infancy brought up
under religious influence. At II years
of age he was by his own father conse-
Grated to God in baptism, and became a
member of the church. In direct oppo-
sition to the wishes of his family, he en-
tered the rebellion. For time he en-
deavored to retain his religious character.
but became connected with Gilmor. This
was his second great step downward
That was followed by his getting into
Mosby's gang, which was far worse. His
next companion was Booth.
DIR, Gillette found Powell to be young
man of cultivated mind, ingenious, frank,
candid, and an earnest supplicant for Di-
vine favor.
In conversation, he referred to his
mother and wept bitterl y-to his sisters
to the pleasant seasons once enjoyed by
him in the church, the Sabbath-school
and the social circles.
Powell frankly stated his conviction
of the enormity of his crime. The mo-
ment he fed from the house of Secretary
Seward and leaped into the saddle of his
horse, his mind was weakened into a re-
alizing sense of the horror of the damna-
BILE deed which he had perpetrated, and
he became miserable, wretched-life it.
self became loathsome.
The Doctor here corrected two points
in the published statement. It was re-
ported that he wore a 'jaunty hat" That
hat was placed upon his head by the ad-
vice and hands of Dr. G., when Powell's
hands were pinioned behind him. Dr.
6. suggested the hat on account of the
intense heat of the sun.
Secondly, it was said on the morning
of his execution he ate heartily, &c. On
that morning he positively declined ia
king any food, and he was equally per-
sistent in refusing stimulants of any kind
His last prayer was, as suggested By
his friend, the Doctor, "Lord Jesus, re-
ceive my spirit"
DIR. Gillett heere addressed his audi
ence with deep feeling, referring to his
own sons, to the sons of his congregation,
to the young men of this city who habit
ually visit drinking houses, restaurants,
&c.
The preacher then visited Harold,
and his description correspond with those
already published. With great eloquence
he described the scene in which Harrolds
sisters were present. One of them read
to him from her prayer-book; and after
DIR. G. had offered prayer, the same sis
ter followed in an invocation to the
Throne of Divine Grace on behalf of her
brother, which affected all present.
His next call was on Atzerodt. He at
once commenced remarks which crimina-
ted Mrs. Surratt, but was gently remind
ed that higher duties now devolved upon
him-a preparation to meet his God
ln this he acquiesced. For 20 years, he
acknowledged, he had been STEPPED in
sin; the victim of his base passions, and
of the wiles of artful, designing mem
His wonder was, if his soul could be
saved The Rev. Mr.. Butler. the Lu-