The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-07-12

Hanging 0CAar8. SUTTaEf, EDaylac,
EKaFrOEd and AGzerOct'
WAsU1xeroY, Friday July 7, 1865.

Surratt, Payne, JiaItOiQj duu ht--41 1N7
the unfortunate victims Of the arch as
sassiu Booth, have gone to their reward.
If even the most charitable concede TO !
the authors of such hein0us Crimes the
pardon of forgiving Heaven, i
General Hancock was notify pesleGGd
last night and this forenoon for cards OF
admission, but adhered to bis purpose
TO admit only those who desired to be
present as a matter of business instead Of
curiosity. In consequence the assemblage
inside the walls of the Jail yard was not
large, being composed OF detachment OF
Hancock's Corps, selected to act as guard
on the occasion, representatives, of the
press, and a few other citizens to whom
the privilege of being present had been
specially accorded.
For a long time previous to the execu-
ton, sobs, means and cries were heard
issuing from the grated window fronting
the jail yard to the south, which attracted
a large group Of the roportorial corps,
who were assiduously engaged IN noting
down every triaing circumstance coming
under their limited observation.
70 the north of the corridor in cell,
Atzerodt in conversation with his former
mistress, could be distinctly seen. He
frequently used his handkerchief to re
move the porspiTation from his face, and
occasionally sobbed quietly, as she ad-
dressed hin, apparently in a feeling
manner. None Of the other prisoners
Wero visible.
In the main hall or corridor slowly
strobe number Of military officers, among
whom the fine figure of Gen. Hancock
appeared at intervals, going to and from
tie cells of the condemned, or giving
necerrary instructions to his officers.
The cries issuing from the cells were
those of the sisters of Harold aud the
daughter of Mrs. Surratt, whose grief
was naturally enough affecting and un-
controllable.
Thus passed the interval from 10 till
2 p. m., the sontres in the meantime
slowly pacing their beats in thoughtful
mood, as if they dreaded the awful scene
soon to be enacted and would feel relieved
az soon as it was over; the blue coats on
the walls looking down silently upon the
scaGold below and every one exhibiting
the greatest dec0rum and seeming to be
duly impressed with the overaWing So
lemnity Of the occasion.
From the oupola of detached building
q large crowd looked down into the jail
yard, while Gardiner, tho photograP
with his instruments posted in the old
shoe shop building, was industriously
engaged in preparations for obtaining
numersos views of the group about to
appear on the scaffold.
At ten minutes to | o'clock Gen. Han
cock personally posted the sentries around
the scaffold, and the outer guards were
ordered to come to "attention,' prepara-
tory to the appearance of the prisoners.
At precisely l o'clock, Gen. Hartranft
and Staff emerged from the Prison, and
in moment after were followed by the
condemned
Mrs. Surratt camo first, dressed in
black, supported on either side by an
officer, and followed by her spiritual ad-
visors, Fathers Walter and Wigot OF the
Catholic Church. She wore black bon
net aud vail as on the trial, and had tc
be almost entirely supported by the Off
ecrs attending her.
Next came Atzerodt, also necessarily
supported by soldier on either side, and
dressed about as he was oD the trial, and
bare headed. lie was attended by bis
spiritual sdvisers, the Rev. DR.. Butler, Of
the Lutheran Church, and the Rev. Mr..
Winchester, Chaplain of Douglas Hos.
pital.
Then came Harold, dressed IN bis
ordinary prisou clothes, with slouch
cloth bat on, the brim being turned down
He, too, was much Frustrated and had tc
be supported by a soldier on either side
lie was followed by the Rev. DR.. Olds Of
Christ Church, Navy Yard, aud the Rov
Mr.. Vaux, Chaplain United States Army
Payne alone came bold and erect
without any support, guard walking OF
either side of HIM. lie was dressed in
blue shirt and pants, with rather
jaunty straw hat on, and was followed by
his spiritual advisers, the Rev DIR. Gil
lotte of the Thirteenth ST. Baptist Church.
and other attendants
Payne alone of the prisoners ascendcd
the scaffold without the aid Of attendants.
-Four wooden arm chairs had been placed
there for the reception of the prisoners,
and they were seated as follows, facing
West: Mrs Surratt, or the North next
20 the prison Payne sat next; Harold
next, aud Atzerodt next; Mrs. Surratt
and Payne opposite one drop, and IIar
rold and Atzerodt opposite the other, the
fve-eights Manila rope, with its ominou,
moose, dangling before each respectively
the nooscs reaching to within an average
og aiobtoap innboa from, tbo Goor