Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-07-10

UuCu CO1OT, sctuiCo NNiy
collected. He was clad in shirt and panta-
looms of blue, and wore sailors straw
hat.
Over the next drop, Harold and Atzerott
were seated. Harold looked slovenly-his
hair was uncombed, his clothes were soiled,
and he appeared In his stOcking-feet. lie
wore an old slouched hat, with brim turned
down all round. Atzerott was also In his
stocking-feet, and dressed in common gray.
lie was undemonstrative at first but soon
showed signs of fear. Payne looked at the
spectators, kept his head erect, and main
tained half-detiant air.
Thus arranged, the death-warrants were
read, and the closing religious exercises
took place. :,
At the request of Harold, Payne and
Atzerott, it was stated that the prisoners
desired to thank the officers who had at
tended them. A prayer was offered for
each one. in which the condemned visibly
ioined, DR.. Gillette first prayed for Payne
whose eyes. at the moment, filled with tears.
The priest repeated Latin prayer for Mrs
| Surratt. T.
These solemn services being over, I'll the
prisoners then stood up and were bound
| Atzerott was first bound at the Wrists, with
his arms behind him, and his knees ana an
kles. Mrs. Surratt and the others were
bound in the same way. Owing TO her
dress, it took several minutes to bind Mrs.
Surratt, who was held up during the oper-
alton. Long strips of white cotton cloth
were used instead Ofropes. The fatal nooses
were opened to admit the heads OF the
criminals, and the knots, as usual. were ad-
justed exactly under the left ear. Payne
worked his neck in his moose. as II dlssatls-
fled with the adjustment, and the moose was
widened a little to suit his ample neck!
Mrs. Surratt seemed to find some difficulty,
and said to those near her: "Please don't
let me fall" This was just before the drop
fell. Atzerott who seemed to grow eXclt-
ed as his last moments approached, just be-
fore the white cap was placed over his head,
attempted, in gasping manner, 10 ADDRESS
the spectators. His parched lips would not
obey the helm, and il was distressing to see
him convulsively endeavoring to make him
sell Ineligible. At last he managed to
get out the words-"Gentlemen take warn
en''-meaning, evidently, take warning.
The white cap was drawn over his head,
as was done with the Others, and it was sup
posed no more would be heard from the
prisoners; but just before the drop fell, At
zerott was again heard in mutfted accents
saying, "GoOd-by, gentlemen who are oe-
fore me now; may we all meet i'll the other
world; God help me now-oh Oh! oh!'
and as the last broken exclamation was on
his lips the drop fell, and the four criminals
hung quivering in the air. At twenty-slx
minutes past one o'clock the signal was
given by wave of the hand. The large
blocks supporting the uprights were knock
ed out, the drops fell with heavy slam,
and the four bodies hung suspended.
Payne's limbs were drawn up several
! times, and for moment or two his whole
frame auivered violently, but within five
minutes all was still. Harold struggled
some, and some emissions of water took
place from the body, such as is frequently
the case with persons dying violent death.
There was no perceptible movement OF the
body of AtZerott and he apparently died
easy. There was only slight movement
of the limbs of Mrs. Surratt
There was breathless stiffness for sever
al minutes after the drop fell, but in short
time persons commenced to move, and al
most all had left the yard in thirty minutes.
The bodies were cut down, placed in their
coffins, and buried in the yard near the scaf-
fold, where graves were previously dug.
The bodies of all but Payne were claimed
by their relatives, and will be duly deliver
ed to them. About two hundred spectators
witnessed the execution.
Mudd, Spangler OLaughlin and Arnold
are to be removed Immediately to Albany
Penitentiary, to serve out their sentence.
Efforts were made, during all of last
night, by counsel and friends, 30 secure a
reprieve for Mrs. Surratt, but the President
declined to interfere. About o'clock this
morning, Miss Surratt, accompanied by a
female friend, visited the White House,
having been there last evening, for the pur-
pose Of obtaining an interview with Presi-
dent Johnson, who had given orders that he
would receive no one to-day. The door
keeper stopped Miss Surratt at the foot of
the steps leading up to the Presidents Office,
and would not permit her to proceed fur
ther. She then asked permission to see
General Mussy, the Presidents Military
Secretary, who promptly answered the
summons and came down stairs where Miss
Surratt was standing. AS soon as the Gen
eral made his appearance, Miss S. threw
herself on her knees before him, and,
catching him by the coat, with loud sobs
and screaming cries implored him to assist
her in obtaining hearing with the Presi-
dent. General. Mussy, in as tender man
; ner as possible, told Miss S. he could not
comply with heI request; as the Presidents
orders were imperative, he would receive
no one. Upon General Mussy's returning
to his Office, Miss s. threw herself upon the
stair steps, where she remained consider
able length of time, sObbing aloud in the
greatest anguish, protesting her mothers
innocence, and imploring every one who
came near her to intercede in her mothers
behalf. While thus weeping she declared
her mother was too good and kind to be
guilty of the enormous crime OF which she
was convicted, and said if her mother was
put to death, she wished, also, to die. The
scene was heart-rendng, and many who
witnessed it. including number Of hardy
soldiers, were moved to tears. Miss s.
having become quieted, gave vent TO hel
, feelings in quiet tears, and was persuaded
to take seat in the East Room, where she
remained for several hours, jumping .ul
, from her seat each time the front door o.
the Mansion was opened, evidently in hopes
of seeing some one enter who. could be o.
service to her in obtaining the desired In.
terview with the President, or that they
were the bearers of good news to her.
Two of the Han rold sisters, dressed in
!. full mourning and heavily vailed, made
their appearance at the White House
shortly after Miss s., to plead with th'
r ing to see the President, they addressed
/, note to Mrs. johnson, and expressed hop
: that she would not turn deaf ear to thei
4 pleadings. Mrs. johnson being quite sick
it was deemed expedient, by the ushers
/ not to deliver the note, when, as a last ex
: pedient, the ladies asked permission to for
i. ward note to Mrs. Patterson, the Presi
!, dents daughter, which privilege was no
/ granted, as Mrs. p. Is also quite indispose,
!, to-day. The Misses Harold, although
! feeling greatly concerned for their dOome
: brother, showed but little outward signs Q
I'll IA