Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-07-07

blood of Jesus cleanses from ailsin, and asking
that God Almighty might have mercy upon
this man.
The criminals were now brought forward TO
the front of the platform and placed over the
fatal drop
Atzerodt was the first up. His arms were
bound behind him with strips of white cotton
cloth. He was similarly bound 1t the knees
and at the ankles. Herold, Payne, and Mts.
S9rratt were bound in the same manner; the
operation with the latter requiring more time
than with the others, from the difficulty of
dealing with her dress. The fatal nsoses were
now opened to admit the heads of the crilY.i-
nails, and the knots, as usual, were adjusted
exactly under the left ear. Payne worked his
neck in his moose as if dissatisfied with the ad.
justment, and the moose was widened littleSo.
suit his ample neck.
Surratt seemed to find il diff ult to stand,
and said to those near her, please don't Yet
me fall" This was just before the drop fell
Atzerodt, who seemed to grow excited as his
last moments approached, just before the Write
cap was placed over his head, attempted in a
gasping manner to address the spectators. His.
parched lips would not obey the helm, and it
was distressing to see him convulsively en-
deavoring to make himself Ineligible AT
hast he managed to get out the words. Seen.
tlemen, take ware" meaning, evidently,
&c take warning" The white cap was
drawn over his head, as was done with the
others, and it was supposed no more woald be
heard from the prisoners. Butsjust before the
drop fell Atzerodt's voice was again heard in
muffed accents, saying eGocd by, genaenen,
who are before me now. May we all meet in
the other world! God help me now!: Oh!
Oh Oh!' and as the last br od1en exclaanations
were his hips the drop fell, and the four.
THE LAST SCENE.
At twenty-six minutes past one, o.eloek the
signal was gwen by a wave of the hand. the
large blocks supporting.~th the: uprights Wore
knocked out, the drops fen with heavy slam,
and the four bodies hung suspended Payna's
limbs were drawn up several tinsas, and for a
moment or two his whole frame qniyeredi vi
olently, but within Eve minutes all. was
still Herold struggled some, and some ennis.
sions Of water toels place from the body,
such as is frequently the case with persons
diving violent deatda There was no pfrcep-
tible movement of the body Of Atzeredt; and he
apparently died easy. There was only slight
movement of the limbs OF Mrs. Surratt OBJ
served There was breathless SILENCE for sew
eral minutes afterthe drop tell, but Ia a short
time persons conmenced ta.,moEe- about as
usual.
THE E9DIES CUT. DOMN.
The bodies were allowed to harAg about 20
minutes. when. Surgeon Oas, U. &V., and As,
sistant Surgeons Woodward and Porter, U. S.
A., examined them and pronounced all dead
In about 10 minutes more 4 Ladder was placed
against the scaffold preparatory to cutting the
bodies doWn. An oyer jealous soldier
on the platform reached over and
severed the cord, letting the body fall
Will. d heavy tnSlmp when he was
| was iromediately. ordered down and repre-
| manded. The body of Ataerodt was placed in
| a stroag white pine box, and the other bodies
| were cut down in the following order: David
| G.. HeroId, Lewis Payne Powell. and Mrs.
| Mary Z. Surrat. The surgeon examined zach
| body as it was lowered but the moose in the
cases of Atzerodt and Payne having caught so
| sear the base of the skull, it could not be de-
| rermined wAether the neck was broken or not
Herold's meek is supposed to have been broken,
| and Mrs. Surratt's was pronounced % have
| been broken positively.
THE BODIES BURIED.
The bodies being laid in The boxes, each of
| which was marked with the name of the party,
| buried by detail of the list corps.
1t is understood that the friends of Mrs Sur.
| raft, Herold and AtZerodt made application for
the remains but the authorities declined for the
I present to grant the requests.