The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-11-03
CHAMP FERGUSON.
His Execution---His Dying Hours,

VUNMG GSuuVVOUs e.
His Execution---His Dying Hours.
Tho Nashville papers are full Of accounts
of the execution of CHAMP FRRaUsoS at
that point on Friday, the Goth inst. We
make the following extracts
HOW HE TOOK HIS sENTxNo9.
Some time since we announced the re.
suit of the trial, the finding and sentence
of the Court, and the action of the au-
tborities; and on the following day the
result was communicated by Col. Shafter
to the prisoner in his cell-the official find
ing and sentence being read to him. 20
When the officer entered for that pur-
pose, Champ was as firm and as relentless
as when, in the midst OF his mad career,
he murdered alike the wounded, the sick,
the aged, and the helpless child aud when
the last sentence had been read, he barely
remarked: III ~
Gas / expected, SIR"
From that time he was urged to prepare
for death; but for days be remained the
same firm, unfinching man be had been
throughout the trial. He would talk of
death as If it were q rather disagreeable
matter, but thing Of no great moment /;
and as for futurity-that scarcely altered
his mind, or, if it did, his proud spirit
would not admit of its presence. 81 aiit
Till within the last four days Of bis ex-
istsnce, he was as profane as when head
ing his band Of outlaws, and uttering inn
precautions against all whe remained true
to the Union-against even bis own broth
ers, one of whom died in support of the
stars and stripes, beneath which he had
been reared, and which neither promises
nor threats could induce him TO desert.
He appeared as thoroughly brsced against
every feeling of humanity, as when, with
his own hand, he murdered the venerable
old man who had graded him on his knee,
and to whom he was indebted for thou
sand fayors. De- 3.g es' af adj
INTERVIEW WITH BIS FAMILY. .estl
His family-wife and daughter-were
with him the greater part Of Thursday,
and all Friday morning, till a few minutes
before he was led out to execution. Mrs.
Ferguson Is q spare, delicate woman, and
appeared deeply affected all the time.
His daughter was calm, until just before
the final parting, but evidently deeply felt
the horrors other situation. She, too, is
delicate in appearance, and Is but seven
teen years of age. z 23AzJ 81
1t was half past ten of yesterday when
the parting came; and seldom have we
witnessed q scene more heart-rending.
Mrs. F. chung to her husband and wept
aloud. "My God my God" said she,
shave not already suffered enoughp Is
my agony never to cease ?" and her tears
choked her utterance, and che remained
long clasping her husband, who stood like
marble statue, showing no outward signs
of emotion. ats rSsG DaN g3rs i %
"Alone, alone, henceforth am T. she
at length said, "deprived of my supporter,
my husband. Oh God, is there nothing
that will save my husbande Lost! lost
lost!" Then suddenly rising, she nerved
herself up and exclaimed: 5fes1 s.l. 80 e.
Die bravely, Champ; dieobravely !"
will" was the response of the oon-
, demned. 20. ''@.''' si@ " 20
The daughter, too, was deeply affected;
and after the two had been separated
from the prisoner, it was with difficulty
they could sustain themselves. and but
for the assistance rendered them, they
would undoubtedly have fallen, fainting to
the floor Criminal wretch as he was,
they loved and adOred him; it is humani-
ty; the wife aud the child cling to the
husband and father, though villain of
the deepest dye. It is wise DISPENSE
ton of Providencejthat it is 60; the love
shown is often potent in bringing the VIII
est wretch to repentance, when all else
has failed to soften the hardened heart.
If the wife and child deserts the culprit in
his extremity, who will be his friend ?
The husband is never so degraded but the
true wife clings to him with deepened and
boiler affection. .,f.,.er ~. 81. =.
BIZ MOVES OUT.
The hour of eleven arrived, and Champ
was warned that the time had come when
he must prepare to die. :" i am ready
when you are" said be to Lieut.. Oritten-
den, and he was led out BY guard Of
eight men to the scaffold. His step was
nrm, bis carriage erect and his bearing just
what II had been from the beginning. He
nerved himself up to the occasion; not q
shudder marred the tranquility of his
frame; not q change passed over bis eoun-
tenauce.
his hands were pinioned behind him with
. strong cord. His dress was q black suit,
Of coarse cloth, but neat and clean; and
on his hands were black gloves. When he
reached the scaffold, Colonel Shafter in
qoired, "shall / help you to ascend 3n
No, !" be replied, ''In walk up myself. !"
and he did 80 with firm and unfsiterino
steps.
On reaching the platform he faced the
two OF three hundred auditors and the
guards witt out blenching, but requested
that Dr.. Bonting should pray for him.
1he doctor compiled with the request, and