Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1865-07-13
WAslIINGrnN- .Innn

WASHINGTON, june I.
\ Washington dispatch says; Strong
efforts were made this morning to induce
the President to rcpriyo Mrs. Surratt by
her counsel and Roman Catholic clergy
man, who have acted as her spiritual ad-
vsers, but to no purpose The President
was firm in his decision, and while hearing
the arguments courtcously refused to alter
or modify the woman 5 sentence.
1t is reported that Mrs. Surratt has writ
ten Il statement or confession which has
been handed to her spiritual advisers.
All OF the condemned conspirators sent
cnced to be hanged to-day were executed.
On petition of Mary f. Surratt, through
her counsel, Mcssrs. Aiken and Clamftt,
Judge Wylic, OF the Supreme Court of this
District, directed an issue of a writ of habeas
corpus to General Hancock, commanding
him to produce in Court ut 10 o clock this
morning the body Of Mary f. Surratt, with
cause and day Of detention. The writ was
served ON General Hancock at the Mctrop-
olitan Hotel, at s O'Clock this morning, by
United States Marshal Groding. He i'm
mcdiatoly consulted with the Attorney Gen
eral and Secretary of War. At 1880 the
General had not obcycl the writ, and this
fact was brought to The notice of the Court
by her counsel, but the Judge said he had
no power to enforce the writ.
Early to-day guard, were placed all around
the arsenal grounds to prevent the intrusion
of people to the scene Of execution; none
being admitted excepting those previously
supplied with tickets by Major General
Hancock.
The relatives Of Mrs. Surratt and Harold
spent several hours with them during the
forenoon, and they were also attended by
their spiritual advisers, as were also Payne
and Atzcrott.
A few minutes after one o clock the outer
prison door was opened, and Mrs Surratt
was supported on her way to the gaIlows by
two military officers. Next followed At
zcrott, Harold and Payne, accompanied by
guard, and their respective ministers Of
the gospel, Front seats were provided for
them on platform in the following order:
Mrs. Surratt, Payne, Harold and Atzerott.
Officers entrusted with the execution, and
the ministers, occupied intermediate posi-
tions.
Major General Ilartroult, 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 sentence and ordering the
A heavy guard was stationed on the walls
surrounding the grounds, while below sol
dicrs were formed on two sides of a square.
Perhaps several hundred civilians were
present. anxious spectators Of the solemn
scene.
One Of the priests attending on Mrs Sur
rattrcpcated IA short prayer, to which Payne,
who was seated next to her, attentively
listened. The minister who had been ad-
mlnisterlng to Payne, expressed i'll the name
OF the latter his sincere thanks to General
llartlauft and officers and soldiers who had
charge OF him, Tor their personal kindness
They had not uttered an unkind word, nor
given AN unpleasant look or jcsture, but
seemed to compassionate his misfortune. -
The minister then uttered brief prayer,
asking Tor 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 the kind treatment of
the prisoner, and offered prayer that God
would receive his soul. Harold was af-
iGctcd to tears.
The minister who attended Atzerott also
returned thanks for him to Gen Hartrault
and other officers for their kind attentions
and then invoked the mercy Of God upon
the prisoner.
The condemned were then required to rise
from their seats, when the chairs were re-
moved. They were now all ON the drops.
Their hands were fastened behind them. and
their legs bandaged both below and above
the knees, and white caps placed over their
heads.
Atzorott, while being prepared forthc ex-
ccution exclaimed: ''Gcntlcmen, farewell.
Take care, and good bye, gentlemen now
before me.
One ofthc clergymcn standing near, OK
claimed: MAY we all meet in the other
world
AS soon as the moose was adjusted around
each neck, Mrs, Surratt's being the last one
adjusted, the section Of the platform ON
which they had been standing suddenly fell,
and the culprits were hanging several feet
from the ground. Mrs, Surratt and Payne
scarcely moved II muscle AtZcrott showed
some twtchng, but Harold showed more
nervous scnSlbllty than any Of the others.
| The bodies hung until life was extinct, and
were afterwards given over for burial, rough
collins being already at hand for that pur-
pose.
The arrangements for the execution were
perfect, Major General Hancock was pres
cnt throughout the proceedings.
1t is said that Payne last night made q
statement in behalf of Mrs. Surratt, cxhon.
Grating her from completely, and that an.
other person subscribed to an affidavit i'm.
pcaching the testimony Of an important
witness against her.
HOW THE PRISONERS RECEIVED TIE AN.
NOUNCEMENT or THEIR FATE.
| The emotions of the prisoners on hearing
their fate were various. The officers first
visited those who were sentenced to death
and Payne cell was reached and the ordel
for his execution read to him, he seemed t,
be as cool and unconccrned rs when on trial
! though wearing decided air as if he hal
expected that lato; he was asked if he de
sired some spiritual adviser, and he named
the Rev, DR., Suexon, Il Baptist ministori il
| Baltimore, who was Immediately sent for
! Atzcrott was next visited, and the orde,
for his execution was read to him. He wa,
ompletelyunmanncd, IIewcptand groancC
bitterly In reply to an inquiry, he asket
the officers to send for some Lutheran
minister, At2crott, when convcrSing Will
the officers, cndcavored but failed to assum,
II collected appearance. llawold's turn
came next, and the order, in his case, wa
read At first, he seemed quite Indifferent
and breathed easier when the ceremony wa
over but when he talked about sending fo
IL minister, and seeing his mother and sis
ters he gave way to tears. The last eel
was that Of Mrs. Surratt, to whom he ordc
for her execution was read. She heard i