The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-05-19
A NARROW ESCAPE.
Reprieve Of a Person on the Point of
Execution,


Execution.
Thomas Martin was to have been sho
at Cincinnati, on the 9Th inst, on charg,
of being guerilla. Just before arriving
at the scene Of execution areprieve arrived
from the President. The scene is thu
described by the Cincinnati Enquirer:
At o'clock precisely the prisoner was
informed that he must prepare for the
execution, and without wavering rose from
his bunk, and taking his hat proceeded tt
the carriage in waiting at the door to take
him to the fatal spot He bid goodbye
to the officers of the barracks, thanking
them for the many kindnesses they had
extended to him, and added, "Boys, l Will
die like brave man,"
As he crossed the sidewalk towards the
carriage, in company with Father Garesche'
he glanced his eye to the hearse, IN tne
rear of the carriage, in which was his CONN,
of plain manufacture. Martin smiled ana
nodded to the undertaken. Thirty one
convalescent soldiers, under command OF
Lieut.. Millspaugh, acted as guard to the
prisoner, and walked on each side and on
the front and rear of the carriage. Inc
procession then started, and consisted OF
the carriage with the prisoner, the hearse
containing the coffin, and two ambulance
wagons, filed with soldiers.
On the way through the city young Mar
tin bore himself with great firmness, but
as they neared the fatal spot, bis nature
mellowed at the spectacle, and he wept
for few moments. Some stlmulants were
given him, and he again rallied. 81
During the morning of yesterday, the
announcement that citizen of Kentucky
was to be shot unto death in this city, for
the first time became known to few of
our leading citizens, and the first dispatch
was sent to Secretary Stanton at 1920
O'Clock asking for suspension of the SEN
tence. Mr.. Logan, the prisoners counsel,
sent similar dispatch, and Colonel Hart,
of Gen. Hookers staff, also forwarded a
telegram to Gen. Hooker, now en- route
from Springfield to Cincinnati. General
Hooker replied that the matter was be-
yond bis control and entirely out of his
hands, and that the President was the
only authority to be addressed in the
premises. Secretary Stanton replied that
he could not interfere, and that unless the
President suspended the execution there
was no remedy and Thomas Martin would
have to be executed. ., IT,
kilograms were then sent to President
johnson, by Col. Hart and leading citi-
zens. 1t was IL NJ, and within the two
hours to come the unfortunate man was
destined to pay the penalty. Anticipating
reply from Washington, swift horse
was in waiting in front OF Gen. Hooker's
headquarters, and a messenger ready to
carry the dispatch. One O'Clock, and no
answer. The troops had moved and the
prisoner had started. Halfpast O'Clock,
and still no reply. Oh, the suspense, the
anxiety, and the mental excitement of the
many sympathizers in the young mans
fate! The prisoner was half way to the
place of execution, and in twenty. five
minutes more the volley of musketry
would have been fred, and the soul of
Thomas Martin ushered into eternity. Still
there was hope, and as the nervous opera.
tor sat at his instrument, ready to receive
the flash of electricity from Washington,
a few citizens were by his side in waiting
with almost breathless suspense. At %
minutes of 2 O'Clock the quick click of the
instrument, and the operator said, "Here
is the reprieve.' The dispatch was then
received, which read as follows:
WAR DEPARTMENT, I
WASHINGTON, ID. c., May 5, 1861
Major Genera! Joseph Hooker, Commanding
Northern Department: '-
Suspend the execution of Thomas Martin,
fp bn ut
further orders.
By order of the President
..... E. NJ. STANTON,
Secretary Of War
The telegram was Immediately sent to
Gen. Rockers headquarters, and Instant,
Colonel Hart dispatched Lawrence Sands,
chief clerk of the headquarters, to the
place where the execution was to occur.
The courier dashed through the streets,
across the fields, over fences, along by
paths, at John GiIpin speed, reaching the
spot in seven minutes, the horse in a foam
of Precipitation, and the rider painting
for breath. The procession, with the
prisoner, was few PAGES beyond the
residence of Hon. Geo. 81. Pendleton, and
in sight of the fatal ground In a few mo-
ments atterw ard, Gen. Which, who also
received notice that rcplleVe had been!
granted by the President, came up rap
idly Receiving the dispatch, the troops
we're ordered to reform and return to the
barracks, and the prisoner was ordered to
: to be conveyed to the Mclean barracks.
Young Martin received the announce
ment with calmness and manifest gratifica-
ton. He took Father Garesche warmly
by the hand, and appeared grateful at the
very benifcent and highly commendable
action of the President. a. sgato-.
The announcement of suspension Of
the execution was received by the crowd
with universal satisfaction and thankful
ness. The soldiers returned to, Kelton
barracks, greatly relieved in mind, and
much affected at the happy result. The
nine men who were detailed to do the
shooting were under command of Sergt.
4 nd 4 .<xnwv I,nv~