Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1865-07-15
the ASSasslns. . "a
Last Hours with Them.
Facts About Their.
Narrative BY Rev. Dr. lslllett.

From the Washington Star, July 1otA.
Rev. DR.. GilletA, pastor of tie nset R6p.
tist church, improved the soleinnities Of the
past week BY An appropeis&s discoetsc, e.
pecially TO young men.
Ne had never been more impressed with
the importance Of this duty thae during the
sixteen hours which he passed with the
convicts in the penitentiasy between Thurs
day afternoon and that Of Friday.
On Thursday DR.. g. was called upon by
AalslaMt Secretary Of War Eckert, who
invited hin 70 visit the cells Of the doomed
oonvscts Tor the purpose Of administering tn
them such spiritual consultations o. were
needed. Stepping into the Secrctary's car
rage, ne ct once accompanied him thither.
On their arrival, Mr.. Eckert, introduced
him TO other officers, and then to the con.
victs.
The first call was uron Payne, whose real
name he soon ascertained to Be Lewis Thorn
ton Powell, his middle name heing after the
Rev Dr.. Powell, . presby terrain clergy man
Of Charleston, s. q.
Powell welcomed him, and IT once pro
ceeded 10 relate his early history. Ills faith.
er was baptist minister. The convict had
been from infancy brought up under rslie
Ions influence. At twelve years OF age Re
vas by his own father consecrated to God
in baptism. and became . member OF the
church. In irect opposition to the wishes
ofhis family he entered the rebellion. For
time he endeavored to retain his religious
character, but became connected With Gil.
mor. This was his second great step down
ward. That was followed by his getting
into Mosby's gang, which Was far worse. -
Hia next companion was Booth.
Dr.. Gillett found Powell 10 BE- a Young
man II cultivated mind, ingenious. frank,
candid, and IN earnest supplicant for divine
favor
Ia conversation. he referred 10 his mother
and wcpt bitterly-to his sisters-to the
pleasant season once enjoyed by him in the
church, the Sabbath school and the social
circles
Powell frankly stated his conviction Of the
enormity Of his crime The moment he fled
from the house Of Secretary Seward and
leapcd into the saddle Of his horse, his mind
was quickened into realizing sense Of the
horror Of the dannable deed which be had
perpetrated, and he became miserable.
wretched-life itself became loathsome.
The doctor here corrected two points in
the published statement. II WAS reported
that he wore ~ iaunty hat" That hat
was placed upon hin head by the advice aud
banda Of DIR. g., when Powelra hands were
piuioned behind him. DR.. q. suggested til,
hat on account Of the intense heat Of the
sun
Secondly. II was said on the morning Of
his execution he ate heartily. &c. On that
morning he positively declined taking any
food; and he was equally persistent in re-
fusing stimulents Of any kind.
His las, prayer was, as suggested by his
friend, the doctor, Lord Jesus receive my
spirit
Dr.. Gillette here addressed his audience
with deep feeling, referring to his own two
sons, to the sons Of his congregation, to
thc young men Of this city who habitually
visit drinking houses, restaurants, &c.
The preacher then visited Harold, and
his description correspondence with those a.
ready published. With great clohucnce he
described the scene in which Harrod's sis
tiers were present. One Of them read to
him from her prayer book; and after Dr. G..
bad offered prayer, the same sister follwcd
in an invocation to the Throne Of Divine
Grace on behalf Of her brother, which a.
fccted oil present,
His next call was upon Atxernth. He at
once commenced remarks which eliminated
Mrs. Surratt, but was gently reminded that
higher duties now dcvolved upon him--a
preparation to meet his God. In this he
scquiesced. For twenty nine years, he ac-
knowledged, he had been stepped in sin;
The victim Of base passions, and Of wiles OF
artsul, designing men. His wonder was, If |
bis soul could be saved! Rev, Mr.. Butler,
the Lutheran preacher, soon arrived, and at
tended him mos, faithfully. From the lat
clergyman we learn that he pressed to |
have found peace with Heaven.
The pcculiaritics Of the Catholic church |
prevented him from offering any assistance
70 Mrs. Surratt, for she was we'll attended
~ the Rev. Fathers Wigct and Walter
d.. q. described the scene Of the daughters
nasty return to her mothers cell-the anx-
Nous inquiries Of that mother. +" Is there any
hope She replied, Hope il gone ~
"Oh Father Wigct and Walter prepare my |
oother for death!'' In her angony, she fell |
against the speaker in the doorway and |
said Hope 10 fed
The Doctor stated that these remarks
were made ina strictly religious point Of
view, that being the place for none other.
Inc congregation was very large and at.