The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-07-19
THE CONSPIRACY.
Execution of the Prisoners
Particulars of the Affair.

w Ao1IINOlOA'3 q ~ All bu0 cOU-
demned conspirators sentenced to be
hanged to-day were executed.
On petition-of Mary e. Surratt, through
her counsel, Messrs. Aiken and Clampitt.
Judge Wylie, of the Supreme Court of
this District, directed an issue of writ
of habeas corpus to Gen. Hancock, com
handing him to produce in court at 10
o'clock this morning, the body of Mary
h. Surratt, with cause aud day of deten-
tion The writ was served on Gen. uau-
cock at his hotel at clock this morning
| by United States Marshal Goodwin. He
immediately consulted with the Attorney
General and Secretary of War. At 1890
the General had not obeyed the writ
This fact was brought to the notice of the
court by her counsel, but the Judge said
he had not power to enforce the writ.
Early to-day guards were placed all
round the arsenal grounds to prevent the
entrance of persons to the scene of execu-
tion, none being admitted except those
previously supplied with tickets by Maj
Gen. Hancock. The relatives of Mrs.
Surratt and Harold spent several hours
with them during the forenoon aud they
were also attended by their spiritual ad.
visers, as were also Payne and Atzerodt
A few minutes after 10 o'clock the
outer prison door was opened and Mrs.
Surratt supported on her way to the gal
lows by two military officers. Next fol-
lowed Atzerodt, Harold and Payne, ac-
compaaied by guard and their respect
i've ministers of the gospel. Two front
seats were provided for them on the plat
form in the following order: Mrs. Sur
ratt, Payne, Harold, and Atzcrodt. The
officers entrusted with the execution and
the ministers occupied intermediate posi-
tions. Major Gen. Hartraft, who has
been from the commencement in charge
of the prisoners, came forward and read
the order of the War Department already
published, approving the sentence and or,
dering the penalty Of death to the prison
ers. A heavy guard was stationed on the
walls surrounding the grounds, while be-
low soldiers were formed on two sides oi
a square.
Perhaps several hundred civilians were
| present and anxious spectators of the sol
omn scene. Oae of the priests attendan
on Mrs. Surratt repeated short prayer
to which Payne, who was seated next tC
her, atteutatively listened. The ministel
1 -s~As-A A-.1 -haon- misunderstanding to 2Paya,
expressed in the name Of the latter hi
sincere thanks to General Hartrauft ant
the officers and soldiers who had charg
of him for their personal Kindness The
had not uttered an uukind word nor givel
an unpleasant look or gesture, but seemet
to compassionate his misfortune. TIL,
minister then uttered brief prayer, ask
ing fer Payne the forgiveness of all hi
sins aud a passage out of this world int
She joys of heaven.
The minister who attended Harrol,
also returned thanks for the kind treat
ment of the prisoner, and offered praye
that God would receive his SOUL Har
rold was affected to tears.
: The minister who attended Altered
also returned thanks for him to Genera
Hartrauft and other officers for kind al
| tentions, and then invoked the mercy c
: God upon the prisoners.
The condemned were then required t
rise from their seats, when the chai,
were removed. They were now all o
the drops. Their hands were fastene
/ behind them. and their legs bandage
n both below aud above their knees, an
: white caps placed over their heads. A
: zerodt, while being prepared for the e,
ecution, exclaimed: 'sGentlemen, far,
well, take care and good bye, gentleme
3 now before me. One of the clergy nae
= standing near exclaimed: "May we a
u meet in the other world
As soon as the moose was placed areur
m each neck, Mrs. Surratt's being the la
d one adjusted, the section of the platfor
4 on which they had been standing sudde
3 ly fell, and the culprits were hangil
several feet from the ground. Mrs. Su
as rat aud Payne scarcely moved muscl
a Atzerodt exhibited some twitching,
Harold showed more nervous sensibili
, than any of the others.