The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1865-03-04

hour drew near, the crowds Of spectators
BECAME SO pressing that guard was de-
tailed, which quickly drove them back,
while the troops were formed n hollow
square around the gallows 10 keep outsid.
ers at distance.
THE ARRIVAL OF TEE PRISONER.
just about one O'clock the guard, with
the prisoner and Mr.. Weston in their
midst, came fling down the slope and the
crowd respectfully opened to le. them
through.
The prisoner walked swiftly, ard evs-
IDENTITY without fear. Els arns were pin
Toned by the elbows, behind his back.
which induced y slight forward stoop as he
walked, bat there was something defiant
and free in his gait and bearing. There
was something gracefully romantic in his
attire, especially in the short dark cloak
which he wore, falling Electrically down to
his waist, and concealing the hempen twist
around his neck, and even his bisck cap
added 20 this dramatic effect, being rolled
up, turban-like, above his brows, the bag
gy end falling on one side and autter;ng il
the fresh wind that blew in from the sea-
Otherwise, the prisoner was aItired in q
gray suit, somewhat furnished from his
long confinement, additional evidence Of
which was also perceptible in his paliid
and eLnacialed features.
BEADING THE SENTENCE.
I'VE learn, and it is very probable, that
the prisoner entertained, almost up to the
hour Immediately preceding his death con-
ddent hopes that the execution would not
oily vanished before he started on his last
brief journey to the gailows; indeed, they
must have done so, for, on the way, he
looked up, gazed steadily at the sun, which
was shining in a clear blue sky, and pour
ing Hood OF efulgence over his pathway
TO the grave, and said 20 Mr.. Weston:
'.How beautiful the sunlight is. ! never
knew what is splendor was till now, when
l look upon i: for tie last tine"
i Arriving ct the gallows, the prisoner
threw quick, curious glance upward, as
though ne had never seen the structure be-
fore, although it lay fully exposed to his
eyes during the several moments march
from his place of confinement. Neverthe.
less,,he seemed perfectly satisfied with il,
on closer inspection, and quietly stepped
forward llnder the rope, while the Adju-
TAFT proceeded TO read the various findings
of the Court, the order accompanying it,
and the death.sentence. While this was
gong on, the quiet, almost cheerful, cour-
age OF the prisoner, won the respect OF all
who saw him. His demeanor was, how.
ever, anything but that Of bravo; it evin-
ced . pure moral courage, an intellectual
contem pit for death. His face was pale, but
not sorrowful, and frequent smiles played
across his lips as he listened to the reading
of the different specifications of which he
had been found guilty, and for which he
was there to meet his death. Especially at
the reading Of that specification respecting
the Lake Erie piracy, where he bad placed
the innocent passengers of the captured
steamer under durance by force Of arms,
he almost laughed, as if the reading recall.
ed some incident which had once particu-
laylv amused him. In all Of this careless-
ness. however. there was only contempt
and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. like contrition for
the crimes which he had attempted, and
nothing like conviction Of the fanaticism
or spirit of revenge which had impelled
him.
TEE EXECUTION.
Immediately after the residing Of the sen.
tence. the prisoner stood up, and the moose
round his neck was fastened to the susper,-
ded cord above. leaving Q slack of about.
two feet. He faced the sea. On his right
stood Marshal Murray, MAJ. Cogswell. and
another ofYicial.t on his LEFT stood Mr.. Wes-
ton. who produced CODY Of tho Episcopal
Hurry and read tho commentator prayer
thereffom in solemn tones. tho pfisoner
BANDING hin head revenentlv. and evidently
listenine with profound attention.
AT the conclusion Of this ceremony, the
Deputy Marshal approached the prisoner,
sjdiustet tho rope. and asked him IF he had
ANYTHING 70 saw. The prisoner replied:
ssYes: I protest against the execution of
thin sentence. Il is abeolute murder-bru.
tai murder! I die in the defense and Ger
vice Of NV country" 8
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