The Howard union. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1865-1866, 1865-11-02
HANGING OF CHAMP FERGUSON.

HANGING OF CHAMP FERGUSON.
The Nashville papers Of the Goth devoted
most Of their space 10 the accounts of the
execution Of Champ Ferguson, the guerrilla
and murderer, which took place on Friday
last. The Gazette gives the shortest mar.
rative of the event, which we copy, as
follows:
AT half.p past 10 o'clock yesterday morn
ing we took our place among the, specta.
tors probably about two hundred, that had
assembled TO witness the execution of
Champ Ferguson. The day was lovely in
the extreme, and the warm rays of the
autumn sun mooked with their cheerfulness
the gloomy preparations going on before us.
At quarter past II o'clock arrangements
were completed, the death cord hung omin-
ously above the scailold, and an opening of
the guards and a nervous movement in the
crowd told that the prisoner was ap-
preaching.
He was dressed IN a suit of plain black.
his arms were bound tightly behind him,
but his carriage was erect, firm and elastic.
had he been the experienced orator, noun
ting the rostrum TO address great friendly
assemblage, his manner, as he ascended
that ladder TO eternity, could not have been
more thoughtfully proud, cool or impressive.
His hair was neatly cut, and his face shaved,
but darkened with the indications of a
heavy beard. He looked the picture Of
perfect health, and his well developed form
gave evidence of man of immense muscu.
lar strength and physical endurance. There
was proud compression of the lip, and a
high scorn of the eye, which, while fully
alive to the dread soemnity of the occasion
showed he was determined in death not tc
belle his character while living. His whole
appearance was suggestive Of one who
-"On each glance of thought,
Decision followed as the thunderbolt
Pursues the flash"
The coffin, draped in white, was placed
in front of the scaffod. The prisoner tool
his stand under the fatal beam, and th
charge and specifications were then read il
a clear voice by Col. Shafer. Ferguson
manner during the reading was that o
naughty Indifference. Several times h'
bowed to chance acquaintance, whose up
turned faces he recognized in the crowd
At some of the specifications he nodded as
sent, at others he shook scornful denial
AS the sixteenth specification was read h
somewhat hurredly remarked: ~ could tel
it better than that" and Col. Sha(ter re
piled: IL should not wonder" The rumbe
of specifications was twenty-hree, Of mos
of which he was adjudge guilty.
The prisoner was then asked if he ha
anything 10 say. His words were very loy
and scarcely audible. In substance he said
II have nothing to say. There is goo
deal could say, but l will not. l do NJ
want to be cut to pieces when am deac
want 10 be put in that thlng'-pointin
TO the coffin s'and sent to my home
White county. There is good, high gray
yard there, close to my home, and there
where want to buried"
A briet and eloquent prayer was the
offered by The Rev. DR.. Bunting. Fergr
sons attitude during its delivery was th'
OF solemn thought and reverent attention
his limbs were then bound together, Il
rope adjusted around his neck, the CT
!. pulled over his face, and as the beautifr
day was forever closed TO his view, he on
murmured: "The Lord God have mercy G
II on my soul.''
Attwen'y-fve minutes to twelve o'cloc
the trap was sprung, and the prison
= dropped heavily on the extended rop
:, Two very slight convulsions were the on
L signs he gave of life or the struggle in deaf
until his heart had ceased TO beat. Aft
i hanging twenty four minutes the cord w
If cut, and the earthly remains of Champ Fe
guson were closed to the sight Of man
J, the coffin awaiting their reception.