The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-07-11
Baptist Church of this city, and Rev. DR..
Striker. of Baltimore, brought mp the

Striker, OF Baltimore, br0ngnt up the
rear
Mrs. Surratt required to be almost lift
ed along by those who supported her, es-
pecially when they came to It's steps
leading ND to the gallows In addition
to her Frustrated physical condition. the
chains upon her feet served to impede
her progress. On arriving upon the
platform she was placed mt the extreme
northern end Of the platform, and seated
upon o chair, where she was surrounded
by her spiritual a'l rs. She sunk in
collapsed condition INTO her seat, leaning
feebly upon her right arm, and with up
turned and sorrowfnl eyes A soldier
behind held an umbrella over her TO
shield her from the fierce sun. She WAS
dressed as on trial, in deep black. and
with black bonnet.
Payne was placed next to her aud over
the same drop with her. His eyes seeiu-
ed somewhat Redeemed, and his face was
suffused with unusual color, but other
wise his bearing was much the same as
during his trial He was clad in pantI-
looms and woollen shirt of sailor blue
He also wore a jaunty straw hat, with
ribbon, &c, of sailor style, and altOgeth-
er looked much like clean faced, WELL
developed Jack tar.
Next on the platform. but over the
other drop, was Harold, who looked the
most miserable physically of the lot, k:s
face and clothes appearing dirty, with
rusty black clothes and wearing an old
SLOUGH hat with the brim turned down
all around He was in his stockings
Atzerodt was seated at the extreme
southern end of the platform, over the
same drop with Harold. Atzerodt was
the only one of the party bareheaded.
A white handkerchief was. placed over
his head to protect him from the sun,
and Rev. Dr. Butler held an umbrella
over him to the same end He was
dressed in the same suit of pepper and
salt coarse material worn by him in the
trial room. He, too, as well rs Harold
and Payne, was in his stockings He sat
in the same crouched position familiar
to all who saw him on his trial, and at
first was rather undemonstrative. The
lips of Harold were seen in motion re-
peating the prayers whispered to him by
Rev DR. Olds.
Payne sat with face upturned, with q
sort of defiant air. He once put his lips
to the ear of Dr. Gillette, and whispered
something to that gentleman.
THE DEATH WARRANT AND LAST CONsO-
LATIONS OF RELIGION.
The prisoners having been placed upon
the platform, Gen. Hartrauft advanced
to the front, and read in clear voice the
death warrants of the prisoners. Fol
lowing upon this came the last few words
of whispered religious consolation to the
doomed ones Fathers Wigett and Wal
ter administered the dying service of the
Catholic Church to Mrs Surratt, holding
the cross to her lips. Atzerodt, at this
time, seemed to he muttering prayer.
Dr. Gillette here advanced to the front
of the platform, and said that the prisO-
ner Lewis Thornton Powell, otherwise
Payne, requested him to thus publicly
and sincerely return his thanks to Gener-
al Hartrauft, the other officers. the sol
diers, and all persons who had had charge
of him and had attended him. Not one
unkind word, look or gesture had been
given to him by any one.
Dr.. Gillette then followed in feryent
prayer in behalf of the prisoner, during
which Payne's eyes momentarily filed
with tears, and he followed in the prayer
with visible feeling.
Rev DR. Olds followed, saying in be-
half of the prisoner, David +. Harold,
that he rendered his forgiveness to all
whe had wronged him, and asked the
forgiveness of all whom he had wronged.
He gave his thanks to the officers and
A.. s.. Ii n1n ran1ar.I ht,, To
hopes that be dies in charity with all
men and at peace with God DIR Olds
concluded with feeling prayer for the
prisoner
Rev DR. Butler then made similar
return of thanks on behalf of George A.
Atzerodt for kindnesses received from his
guards and attendants, and concluded
with an earnest invocation in bohalf OF
the criminal. saying that the blood Of
Jesus cleanses from all sin, and asking
that God Almighty might have mercy
upon this man
OVER THE FATAL DROP.
The criminals We're brought forward to
the front Of the platform. aud placed
over the fatal drop.
AtzerOdt was the first up. His arms
were bound behind him with strips Of
white cotton cloth He was similarly
bound at the knees and at the ankles
Harold, Payne and Mrs. Surratt were
bound in the same manner; the opera
tioD with the latter requiring more time
than with the others. from the difficulty
of dealing with her dress The fatal
n0oses were now opened to admit the
heads of the criminals, and the knots, as
usual, were adjusted exactly under the
left ear. Payne worked his neck in his
moose as if dissatisfied with the adjust
ment. and the moose was widened little
to suit his ample neck.
Mrs. Surratt seemed to find it difficult
to stand, and said to those near her,
please don't let me fall" This was just
before the drop fell. Atzerodt, who seem-
ed to grow excited as his last moments
approached, just before the white cap
was placed over his head, attempted in a
gasping manner to address the specta-
tors His parched lips would not obey
the helm, and it was distressing to see
him convulsively eDdeavoring to make
himself ineligible. At last he managed
to get out the words, Gentlemen, take
ware" meaning, evidently, take warn
ing" The white cap was drawn over
his head, as was done with the Others,
and it was supposed no more would be
heard from the prisoners But inst be.
fore the drop fell Atzerodt's voice was
again heard in muffled accents, saying,
Good bye, gentlemen, who are before
me- pow Nav we all meet i'm the other