Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-07-14

ers, came forward and read the order of the
War Department already published, appro-
wing the sentences and ordering the penalty
Of death to be inflicted
a heavy guard was stationed around the
walls surrounding the grounds, while beloN
the soldiers were formed on two sides OF a
square. Perhaps several hundred civilians
were present, anxious spectators of the sol
emn scene.
One Of the priests attended on Mrs Sur
ratt and repeated short prayer, to which
Payne, who was seated next to her, attentive
ly listened The minister who had been
administering to Payne expressed, in the
name of the latter, his sincere thanks to
Gen Hartranft aud the officers and soldiers
who have had charge of him for their per-
sonal kindness. They had not uttered an
unkind word nor given an unpleasant look OF
gesture, but seemed to compassionate with
/ him in his misiotunes.
The minister then uttered brief prayer,
asking for Payne he forgiveness of all his
sins, and a passage out Of this word into the
joys Of heaven.
The minister who attended Harold also
returned thanks tor the kind treatment Of
| the prisoner, and offered prayer that God
would receive his soul. Harold was affect
ed to tears
The minister Who attended Atzerott also
returned thanks f3r him to General Hart
ranft and other ofcers for kind attentions,
and then invoked the mercy of God upon
| the prisoners.
The condemned we're then required to
rise from their seats, when the chairs were
removed They we're now all on the drops,
their hands were fastened behind them, and
their legs bandaged both below and above
the knees, and the white caps placed over
| their heads
Atzerott, while beiIg prepared for the ex-
ecution, exclaimed: fGentlemen, farewell
take care, and goodbye, gentlemen, now be-
fore me. One Of fhe clergyHen standing
near, exclaimed Nay we all meet in the
other world. .
As soon as the poose was placed around
each neck Mrs. SuTatt' being the last one
adiusted-the sedion of the platform on
which they had been standing suddenly fell,
and the culprits we're hanging several feet
| from the ground Mrs. Surratt and Payne
scarcely moyeda muscle. Atzerott exhib-
tied some twfching but Harold showed
more nervous sensibility than any of the
others.
The bodies after hanging some time after
life was extinct, were afterwards given ovel
fer burial, c5ffins, shrouds and everything
being ready at hand for the purpose. The
arrangements for the execution were per
feet Major General Hancock was present
throughout the proceedings.
1t is said that Payne last night made q
statement in behalf of Mrs. Surratt, exono-
rationg her from completely, and that an.
other person subscribed to an affidavit i'm.
peaching the testimony of an important
witness against her.
NEB York, July The Posts Wash
ington Correspondent says: Strong effort,
were made this morning to induce the Presi
dent to repriye Mrs Surratt by her counsel,
and the Roman Catholic clergymen, who
have acted as spiritual advisors but TO nc
purpose. The President was Fl IN in his de-
cision, and while hearing the argument cour
teously refused to alter or modify the we
man IS sentence. 1t is reported Mrs SurratN
has written statement or confession which
has been handed to her spiritual advisers