The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-07-18

adviser; and was dressed in sailors pants an,
shirt, the latter very low and open at the 'front.'
being the same dress in which be often appeare,
at the trial. Mrs Surratt was lying at full lengtl
upon her mattress, clothed in some white undres
garment, looking very pale and debtated Sh
was attended by two priests, who were about t
administer the sacrament to their hopeless daugh
ter. Two ladies were also in the cell endeavor
ing to calm the almost continual shuddering o
her shrunken figure, and summon fortitude 70
her to bear the wretched fate that was at hand
Harold lay upon a cot, looking very pale ant
livid, with eyes rolling frenziedy and conversin.
in low tone with his sisters, who were grouped
around him in sitting postures. Atzerot wa
alone, with the exception of his minister, and lik
the rest, was reclining upon his mattress. an,
though evidently seeking comfort in the spiritua
advice of his companion, and nearly beside him
self with fear at the of his sudden death
had his feet elevated some two or three feet abov
his head upon the side of the wall, at an aDgl
occasionally assumed by luxurious smokers, auc
thus in this singularly irreverent attitude was h
receiving and apparently consoled with the min
istrations of his companion.
About quarter to IL, the friends of the con
victed began to arrive-Mss Anna Surratt being
accompanied by friend, and the sister of Har
rold and also sister of Atzerot each one clothee
in black and densely yelled. Scarcely half a,
hour had elapsed before they all again issued
nearly swooning with anguish, and were borne t
an inner apartment, where restoratives were ad
ministered. Many eyes were bedimmed as thi
mournful cortege passed from sight and hearing
| One o'clock had now arrived, and the heav,
door opened for the procession to the gallows
| First came Mrs Surratt, leaning upon two gentle
men, followed by Fathers Wiget and Walter
the latter of whom carried small cross with al
effgy of the Saviour thereon, and also book o
prayer She looked very pale; her limbs seemed
to fail her. and it required no small exertion OF
the part of the gentlemen alluded to, to lead he
as far as the scatfod steps. Step by step she as
cended, her hands manaced behind her, ever,
eye united on her now shrunken cheeks. He
face betrayed more of horror than of physica
fear; her upper lip, as sometimes seen in the new
| ly dead, curled upwards from the now incomplete
teeth, which added greatly to the ghastliness o
her expression. She sat on chair placed at tn
northwestern corner of the scaffod and imme
diately the reverend gentlemen waiting upon be
leaned forward, applying the cruciix to her ash
en- lips, and pouring into her ear the words O
comfort .----.....
Next came Atzerot, shackled hand and foot
and presenting to the spectator face so full o
fear, of woe, of horror and of supplication, tia
for mere relief they turned from him to rest upo,
the regal face of Payne. Atzerot was ATTENDED
to and up the steps of the scaffold by the Rev
Mr. Butler, and he too was hidden to be seated OF
chair placed at the southwestern end of tin
grim white structure.
And next came Payne, manacled like lstzerot
dressed only in the navy pants and collarles
h. %l,ol trio Go
Nv is the admiration which men feel Cor any mar
who in the last hours meets unmoved the king o
terrors, that this youth with the bull neck an,
close shaven crown, short face and quiet blu,
eye, drew more sympathy than the fears of ;
thousand Atzerots could ever evoke. On Ii,
went to the steps, side by side with the ministe
| of his choice, Mr. Giett. Checked in his gait
but seemingly unembarrassed, he reached the
platform aud sat down near to Mrs Surratt, ant
there he remained gazing, as he used to do in tn
court room, through the bars at the white fieecy
! clouds that shifted before the intense rays of
sun that glided with all the pomp of a summe
| noon one of the most solemn scenes ever exhibit
ed in this land so free hitherto from such crimes
Payne 1--WE prefer the more generally know
name) looked neither to the right nor TO the left
but straight forward and upwards. 1t was evi
dent that to him the crowd were nothing, hi
own thoughts everything. His face might b.
! likened to that of a builder of castles in the air
Fear there was none. no more than on the face o
sleeping infant; braggadocio, or the morbio
vanity that so often supplies courage, was not t
be read in the quiet dreaming eve, whence tn
old widness alone had fled, as the sun faced hin
as truly as he faced it. The photographer who's
instrument stood in window of the western wal
will hand down Payne to posterity with face OF
which no man could read either remorse for pas
crimes or the fear of a present punishment TIL
memory of his horrid crime, which had appalle
a nation, was lost in contemplating his bearing
which at the very foot of the scatfold soldie
| h. IL "a Ion IL Ghntf G.