The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-09-13

spirit of resignation exhibited, and until
this time no admission of guilt After
a long talk with Mr. Vananda and Capt
Wilkinson, Oliver seemed truly to see
his condition, and earnestly but somewhat
incoherent confessed to the latter Els
guilt.
DIVERS CONFESSION.
In answer to the Captains question, in
regard to the murder, he said Eve give
his language as nearly as possible) yes,
l did it-Hartup did mott did it because
l thought that he Cook would come to
Illinois and arrest me, as he had done
and if he did, knew that [ would kill
him or he would kill me. Yes, I am the
guilty one. Oh, my God, forgive me !
feel that he has. had determined but
few moments ago not to confess
have promised many not to do SOL did
it-I did it, did it. | had understood
that Cook knew where we lived in Illinois,
and expected that he was coming on after
me. l have told some who will never, or
would neveI have told it. He repeated
again and again that Hartup was inno-
cent.
After the confession came an earnest
season of prayer, the clergyman kneeling
with him, one on each side. Mr.. Oliver
rose with a different expression upon his
face-was calmer in action, and expressed
for the first time sympathy for the Cook
family. He also forgave those who bore
false witness against him at Cambridge.
Hartup, in the meantime,s was as truly
penitent, but seemed less resigned.
THE ROAD TO THE scAFFoLD.
At one o'clock the escort, consisting of
a company from the 22d V. r. Co. under
command of Captain Smith, formed in
hollow square, the prisoners dressed in the
black gown, accompanied by the minis
ters, were placed in the center, and to
the solemn dead march, played by the
band of the 22d, the procession moved
toward the scafold
Scarcely was start made when Mrs.
Oliver, with heart-rending shrieks, bl oke
away from her attendants and rushed with
her babe toward her husband Kindly
but firmly she was restrained, and by
those with fearful eyes taken to more
distant house and placed for the time un-
der guard. Slowly the funeral procession
Of men yet living moved on to the last
dread scene in the terrible drama.
THE scAFFoLD.
Col. Woodward had returned at once
| from Cincinnati, and found preparations
we'll on the way for the execution The
scaffold had been erected in the enclosure
known as Prison Yard No. l, and was
much like scafolds generally are. the DROP
being perhaps ten feet from the ground
and so arranged that the bodies would
have fall of about four feet. There
we're perhaps three or four hundred per.
sons, including the soldiers on duty, ad.
mitted to the enclosure and at twenty min
utes after one o'clock the prisoners ascen
ded the platform that was soon to droI
them into eternity. a -
The escort and a company on duty
from the 4th Regiment of Hancock Corp.
formed a hollow square about the scaffold
the various officials assumed appropriat,
positions, and Capt. j. Kearney Smith
proceeded to read the charges, specifica
tions, findings and sentence. Mr.. Ellison
Joined with the prisoners in an eloquen
prayer before this reading, and afterward
upon consultation and upon the question
being asked if he had anything to say
Mr.. Oliver stepped forward and addresse,
the spectators N a short speech afte
which the black caps were drawn owe
the faces of the wretched men, the rope
adjusted, short, eloquent prayer by Rev
Vananda, and with the word AMEN, will
quick snap, the drop fell, and the Grim
inals were dangling in the air. The necl
of Oliver seemed broken by the fall, an,
he scarcely struggled, but Hartup evi
IDENTIFY died by strangulation, and hi
struggles, though not violent, were pro
longed.
/ CLOSING SCENES.
| A long breath came from the specta
tors, quick order arms by the soldiers
a silent retiring of officers from thei
posts Oh the scaffold, and silent and star
the eorpses in black shed their gloom owe
the last scene of the execution. Th
drop fell just 21 minutes befor 2 O'Clock
and 26 minutes afterward the body Q
Hartup was cut down and eleven minute
thereafter was lowered the body of Oil
yer. The Surgeons in attendance exam
ined the bodies before and after they wer
cat down, and with this closed the drea
ceremony. The bodies were placed i
cofhns, and remain in the barracks unit
10 o'clock to-day, subject to the order c
relatives. If not taken away by that time
they will be buried at Camp Chase. Tn
i details of the execution were we'll man
aged, but we have no heart for compli
ment or comment.
1 Thus perished, in the prime of lif
! by the fat of Military Commission,
time of peace, two young men, one {
them guilty and the other innocent, wit
but twenty four hours allowed them t
, prepare for death.
TuE EDENrrr mo