The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-07-21
THE AssAsslNs.
A Minister'S Visit to the Con-
demned---Sixteen Hours
in the Cells.

demned---Sixteen Hours
in the Cells.
From the Washington Chronicle, July 10.
The Rev. DR.. Gillette, pastor Of the
First Baptist Church, improved the 80
IDENTITIES 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, between
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 ofadmin-
istering to them such spiritual consultations
as were needed. n
Stepping into the Secretary . Carriage,
he at once accompanied him thither. On
their arrival, Mr.. Eokert introduced him
to other officers, and then to the convicts.
Their first call was upon Payne, whose
real name he soon ascertained to be Lewis
Thornton Powell, bis middle name being
after the Rev. DR.. Thornton, Presbyte-
rian clergyman Of Charleston, 8. O. Pow
ell welcomed him, and at once proceeded
to relate bis early history. His father was
q Baptist minister. The convict had been
from infancy brought up under religious
influence. At twelve years of age he was
by his own father consecrated to God in
baptism, and became q member of the
church. In direct opposition to the wishes
Of his family he entered the rebellion. For
time he endeavored to retain his religious
character, but became connected with
Gilmor. This was his second great. step
downward. That was followed by bis
getting into Mosbys gang, which was far
worse. His next companion was Booth.
DR.. Gillette found Powell to be q young
man of cultivated mind, ingenious, frank,
candid, and an earnest supplicant for Die
vine favor. In conversation he referred to
his mother, and wept bitterly to bis sis
ters; to the pleasant seasons once enjoyed
by him in the church, the Sabbath school
and the social circles. Powell frankly
stated bis conviction of the enormity of
his crime. The moment he fled from
the house of Secretary Seward and leaped
into the saddle of his horse, bis mind was
quickened into q realizing sense of the
horror of the damnable deed which he had
perpetrated, and he became miserable,
wretched-life itself 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 adj
vice and hands of DR.. G. when Powells
hands were pinioned behind him. DR.. G.
suggested the hat on account of tho in.
tense heat of the sun. Secondly-it was
said on the morning of his execution that
he ate heartily. &c. On that morning he
positively declined taking any food, and
he was equally persistent in refusing slim
ulants of any kind. His last prayer was.
as suggested by his friend the Doctor,
"Lord Jesus receive my spirit"
Tie preacher then visited Harold, and
his description correspond with those al
ready published. With great eloquence
he described the scene in which Harold's
sisters were present. One of them read
to him from her prayer book and after
DR.. G. had offered prayer, the sane sister
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 GRIMM
ated Mrs. Surratt, but was gently remind
ed that higher duties now devolved upon
him-a preparation to meet bis God. In
this he acquiesced. For twenty-nine years
he acknowledged he had been stepped in
sin (; the victim of base passions, and of
the wiles of artful, designing men. His
wonder was, if his soul could be saved.
Rev. Mr.. Butler, the Lutheran preacher,
soon arrived, and attended him most faith
fully. From the latter clergyman we
learn that he professed to have found peace
with Heaven.
The peculiarities of the Catholic Church
prevented him froH offering any assistance
to Mrs. Surratt, for she was well attended
by the Rev. Fathers Wiget and Walter.
DR.. G.. described the scene of the daugh-
teris hasty return to her mothers cell-the
anxious inquiries of that mother, els
there any hope9" She replied, slope is
gone" ooh, Fathers Wiget and Walter,
prepare my mother for death" In her
agony she fell against the speaker in the
doorway, and said, ''hope is fed"
The Doctor stated that these remarks
were made strictly in a religious point of
view, that being the place for none other.
pROM NCH VnpE