White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1865-07-20
The Scene at tho Scaffeld.
LAST HOURS OF THE CONDEMNED
Affecting Scenes at the White House

The last tragic chapter of the great
conspiracy to assassinate the President
and Cabinet is finished. To day at half
past one o'clock. within the Penitentiary
walls, where they we're tried and convict
ed, Lewis Payne Powell, Mary E. Sur
raft, David E. Harold, and George At
zeroth, we're hanged by the neck until
they were dead, in execution of the SEN
tence of the Military Commission duly
approved by the President, for the crimes
Of conspiracy, treason and murder. The
painful scene was unattended by any ex
traordinary accident or incident, and was
conducted in the most solemn and quiet
manner.
At noon yesterday the condemned were
notified of the sentence of death, and in
q short time thereafter their friends and
spiritual advisers were in THAR presence.
During the afternoon. the condemned
we're removed from the upper row. and
placed in the ground floor cells. Their
companions in crime-Mujd. Spangler,
O'Laughlin and Arnold-remained in
the third tier of cells, unaware of the SEN
fences Of their fellow prisoners, or Of their
own. Mrs. Surratt was kept in her old
cell, attended by her daughter, Anna
Surratt. and two Catholic clergymen of
this city. During the night. she was
very much oppressed, and suffered from
pains caused by nervous prostration. A
good deal of her time was spent in reli-
gious exercise. and she did not. therefore,
sleep any. Aside from her daughter.
one or two friends were allowed to see
her, but each time in presence of an off,
Ger. During the night, Mrs. Surratt
conversed freely with the Catholic priests
on the crime for which she was convict.
ed. claiming that she was innocent of any
completely in the assassination Of the
President. Breakfast was served to her
at the usual hour this morning, but she
declined to eat anything. Miss Anna
Surratt. who visited the Presidents house
this morning, returned to her mothers
cell. and remained with her to quarter
before one, when she took the last fare.
we'll in the most sgonized state of mind.
Payne spent the night and morning in
company with Rev. DR.. Gillette, Baptist
minister. with whom he held close con-
verse, except for three hours. when be
slept. He very freely conversed with DR..
Gillette on religious topics, during the
morning, sitting as erect as he did in the
court room. From bis conversation, it
appears that be was raised religiously,
and belonged to the Baptist church until
after the breaking out of the rebellion.
He appeared to be sincerely rspentant.
and in bis cell shed tears freely. He gave
his advisors several commissions of 9
private character. and stated that he was
willing to meet his God. asking all men
to forgive. and forgiving all who had
done sught sgsinst him. Col. Doster,
bis counsel. also took leave Of him dor
ing the morning. as well as of Atzeroth.
Payne eat his breakfast as usual. No
friend or relative appeared to see him.
During the conversation, Payne said, that
in attempting to kill Secretary Seward.
be claimed to be . Confederate soldier.
Aside from that, he added that he be-
lieved it would give peace to the South.
He thinks now it was all wrong, and
blames the rebel leaders for his death,
though be did not fear to die. Several
times be expressed his thanks for the
kindness which he had received from the
officers while in prison. He stated that
be was led into the conspiracy by Booth
and John Surrstt.
Harold was visited by an Episcopal
minister. this morning, but be did not
remain long. Five Of bis sisters spent
most al of the forenoon with him. bis
mother and two other sisters being too
i'll to visit him.
Atzeroth during ell of last night and
to-day. seemed to betray great fear ; be
was nervous and excited, and declared
that be was afraid to die, snd that be was
not prepared. Two ministers attended
him. but be did not appear to be reli-
giously comforted. Atzeroth stated to
these gentlemen. last night. tha. John
Surratt induced him to join the conspircy
IL