Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-07-11
Execution Of the COnspirators.
General Hancock SerVed with u Writ of
HaheaS.COrpuS--- Takes no notice Of it.
THE SENTENCE ACCOMPLISHED.
PAYNE, HAROLD. ATzER0DT AND
MRS. sURRATT HUNG.
THE FINAL SCENE.
THE AssAssINs!

WASHINGTON, July Ton the petition of
Mary E. Surratt, through her counsel, Aiken
and Clampitt, Judge Wylie, Of the Supreme
Court Of this district, directed an issue Of the
writ Of hRbeas corpus to Gen. Hancock, COM
this morning the body Of Mrs. Surratt, with the
cause and day Of her detention,
The writ was served on Gen. Hancock at the
Metropolitan Hotel, at 8 O'Clock this morning,
by the United States Marshal, Gooding. He
Immediately consulted with the Attorney General
aud the Secretary of War AT half past ten
o'clock the General had not obeyed the writ.
This fact was brought to the notice of the
Court by the Counsel, but the Judge said he had
not the power to enforce the writ.
At an early hour to-day guards were placed
all round the Arsenal grounds to prevent the
Intrusion Of persons to the scene OF execution,
none being admitted excepting those previously
supplied with tickets by Maj. Gen. Hancock.
The relatives of Mrs Surratt and Harold
spent several hours with them during the fore
noon, and they were also attended by their
spiritual advisers, as were also Payne and
Atserodt.
door was opened and Mrs. Surratt was supported
on her way to the gallows by two military
officers.
Next followed Atzerodt, Harold and Payne,
| accompanied by guard and their respective
! ministers of the Gospel
Front seats were provided for them on the
platform in the following order:
Mrs. Surratt, Payne, Harold and Aizerodt.
The officers entrusted with the execution and
the ministers occupied intermediate positions
Msior General Hartranft, who has been from
the commencement in charge of the prisoners,
came forward and read the order of the War
Department, already published, approving the
sentences and ordering the penalty Of death to
be inflicted.
A heavy guard was stationed on the walls
surrounding the ground while below soldiers
were formed on two sides of q square. Perhaps
several hundred civilians were present, anxious
spectators OF the solemn scene. One of the
priests attendant on Mrs. Surratt repeated a
short prayer, to which Payne, who was seated
next to her, Rttentively listened. The minister
who had been ministering to Payne, expressed
| In the name of the latter his sincere thanks to
General Hartranft and the officers and soldiers
who had charge of him for their personal kind
ness. They had not uttered IN unkind word,
nor given an unpleasant look or gesture, but
seemed to compassionate his misfortune.
The minister then uttered brief prayer ask
ing for Payne the forgiveness of all his sins and
a passage out of this world into the joys Of
Heaven. The minister who attended Harold
also returned thanks for kind treatment Of the
prisoner, and offered prayer that God would
receive his soul Harold was affected to tears.
The minister who attended AtzerOdt also re-
turned for him thanks to General Harttanft and
others for kind attention, and then invoked the
mercy of God upon the prisoner. The con-
demned were then required to rise from their
seats, when the chairs we're removed. They
were now all on the drops, their hands fastened
behind them, and their legs bandaged both below
and above the knees and white caps placed
over their hesds.
Atzerodt, while being prepared for the execu-
tion, said, "Gentlemen, FAREWELL take good care,
| goodbye, gentlemen, now before me-" One Of
the olergymen, standing near, exclaimed, "May
We all meet in the other world"
As soon as the moose was placed around each
neck, Mrs. Surratt being the last one adjusted,
the section Of the platform on which they had
been standing suddenly fell, and the culpriti
we're hanging several feet from the ground.
Mrs. Surratt and Payne scarcely moved a
muscle. AtEerodt exhibited some twitching
and Harold showed more nervous sonsibility
than any Of the others.
The bodies hung until life was extinct, and
we're afterwards given over for burial the
rough ooffns being already at hand for that
purpose.
The arrangements for the execution were per,
feet.
Major General Hancock was present through
I out the proceedings. It's said Payne last nigh
made statement in behalf Of Mrs. Surratt, ex
1 onerating her from completely, and that another
| person subscribed TO an affidavit impeachine
the testimony Of an important witness agains
her.
| All were hung in manaces, save Mrs. Surratt
Four soldiers performed the execution.
Graves we're dug near the scatfold, and cofiinI
we're beside them ready for the occupants.
Payne was strangled to death, but the neck
| Of all the others were broken.
The execution did not occupy more thar
twenty minutes, and was devoid Of extraordnarJ
incident or accident. Contrary to the prevailing
impression no speeches were made on thl
scaffold, and it is doubted whether Mrs. Surrat
left any confession.
Payne said during the night to his clergyman
= that he thought that II he killed Seward, i
would bring peace to the South.
Atzerodt exhibited the most fear in prison an
on the scaRold.
Harold bore up better than was anticipated
and Mrs. Surratt seemed almost inanimste
having to be sustained in her cell and on til
soatfold.
The bodies hung until two O'Clock when the
we're cut down, and life MAS found to be extini
on examination by the army surgeO ms.
The moment the execution was over, all G
Villains were ordered out Of the prison yard.
u Payne made q written statement during Il
10 night, in which he eIoneratea Mrs. Surrau fro
ali completely in the assassination of the Pres
dent. This was transmitted to Judge Holt.
"a Soon after the promulgation of the senieno'
the friends and relatives Of the prisoners visite
'a them at the prison. Miss surratt, the daught
be Of the wretchsd woman Of that name, was amor
the first 10 visit the prison.
The meeting Of the criminal mother and go
Mt row -atriaken Daughter was most heart-rendin
VI Soon however, the latter rallied and strRitWI
Ia. fau n .taff