The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1865-11-16

grounds, but who were not privileged
to view the execution, was resounded
to by repeated shouts of appreciation.
The convict directly aftor falling was
considerably convllsed in bic legs. but
his agony was soon over. He hung
about fifteen minutes and then was
cut down. His body was laid upon. u
stretcher and carried to prison, where
it was placed in coffin and transfer
red to Father Boyle for interment.-
His neck was broken by the fall. The
proceedings occupied about three-quar-
ters ofan hour. |
Mr.. Schade again called upon tho
President this morning, to make a f.
nal effort to save Capt Wirz from the
death penalty, but at that time, un-
known to him, the prisoner had been
hanged. The President, however,
could see no reason for changing the
sentence, and stated that Mr.. Schade
was the only one who made an earnest
appeal in behalf of the prisoner.
When, between eight and nine o.
clock, Mr.. Schade took leave of Wirz,
the latter expressed his thanks for
what he had done for him, and regret
ted it was not in his power to reward
| him. '-3 ai..9
Mr.. Schade said he trusted ho would
die like man, TO which Wirz re-
Iplied:
1T is hardly necessary to tell me
that; L intend 10 die like man.
Mr.. Schade says he was called upon
by several persons last night, as also
was Father Boyle, who communicated
information, purporting to come from
a member Of tho Cabinet, to the effect
that if Wirz would acknowledge that
Jeff. Davis was connected with the
atrocities at Andersonville, his sen.
tence would be commuted Although
Mr.. Schade did not place full conf
dence in this report, he considered it
to be his duty TO relate it to the prIs-
oner, at his last conference with him.
Captain Wirz, in reply, said:
"Mr. Schade, you know l have al.
ways told you | did not know any
thing about jeff. Davis. He had nc
connection with me as to what was
done at Andersonville, and if l knew
he had, / would not become a traitor
against him or any one else TO save my
life." ."G
Among his last acts Wirz addressed
q letter to Mr.. o. s.. Baker, one of his
counsel, in which he remarked he had
not said word that could be con-
strued into a reflection upon him.
He merely stated that he had not So
licited hir, as his counsel at first, but
accepted his services cheerfully. He
concluded as follows: .
IL will say again, as ! said before
that l believe you have done all you
could for me, and, therefore, accept
my thanks-the thanks of dying
man."
The following letter was writton by
Wirz, before mounting the gallows:
| "OLD CAPITOL Prison,
November 10, 1865.
an. ScHADE-DEAn SIR--It is, ne
doubt, the last time will address my
self to you. What l havo said to you
often and often, i repeat Accept my
thanks, my sincere, heartfelt thanks
for all you have done for me May
God reward you, l can not. Still,
have something more to ask of you
and l am confident that you will no
refuse to receive my dying request
Please help my poor family, my dea1
wife and children. War, cruel war
has swept every thing from me, anc
o-day my wife and children are beg
gars. My life is demanded as an at
tenement. l am willing TO give it
and | hope that after while | will bt
judged differently from what l an
now.
"If any one ought to como to the re-
lief of nay family IL is the people of tht
South for whose sake Ihavo sacrificed
my life. You will excuse me fol
troubling you again. Farewell, deal
sir; may God bless you.
Your thankful II. WIRZ."