The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1865-11-15

Special Despatch to the Chicago Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10.


morning. AT nine o'clock, 4 strong military
force arrived, and the streets in front. and
At the sides Of the building were cleared.
Owners of tenements. from the windows or
roof Of which views Of the gallows could
be obtained. admitted spectators at large
prices, and quite number Of women avail
ed themselves Of this opportunity to crafty
their curiosity.
Holders Of tickets were admitted into the
prison. through which they passed into the
yard A rough gallows had been erected
in one corner Of the yard, on the platform Of
which stood four sentries Of the veteran re-
serve corps, while from the beam dangled
tho fatal rope. which should prove a dead
line to the tyrant Of Andersonyillc. Wirz
was in his cell, attended by Fathers Boyle
and Wiggctt Of the Roman Catholic Church.
Last night he ate hearty supper, and then
went to sleep at 10 o'clock reposing quietly
until he awoke about three o'clock this
morning. lie then wrote his farewell to his
wife, and made some statements about his
connection with the rebellion, asserting that
he had maltreated prisoners, in acco rdance
with orders from his superior officers, but
solemnly protesting that he had never kill
ed any one, or perpetrated the cruel acts
ascribed to him. After the sentcDce was
read to him in prison, Wirz said: sim id
il the Yankee eagle hasn't turned out to be
just what expected-a damned turkey buzz
zard."
HE ASKS FOR PRIESTS.
lie then asked that the Rev. Father Boyle
be sent for, and also Mr.. Schade, his coun
sci: and since that time, these gentlemen
have been almost constantly in attendance
on him. Besides these, some ladies have
called, one of them paying her last visit to
him yesterday, when she brought him some
delicacies. As she was was leaving, he man
tested emotion when he expressed his graft
tude to her, and remarked to Mr.. Schade
who was present, that that was the last tear
he would shed in this life.
couple of ladies said to be of the family
Of prominent officer, called on him also
and in reply to a question as to whether he
had hope, he said .Certainly MADAM; the
greatest sinner has hope; and being in
nocent must surely have hope" To-day he
received \
LITTER FROM HIS WIPE,
dated Cadiz, KY, in which she used the
most affectionate language, and expressed .
hope that they then were seeing their dark
esh hour. She urges him TO cheer up and
be prepared for the worst but is satisfied
that if the government knew how much an
guish they had suffered, he would not be
condemned to death. She also states that
she intends with her children to 60 to
his people in Europe.
WIRE HAS BEEN AN INFIDEL,
but Of late protested repentance, and one OF
his religious advisers assured me that he be-
lieves that he was sincere, and that he truly
repented. just before the hour appointed
for the execution, young Massachusetts
official Of the prison, handed him an auto
crap album, in which he wrote with clear
steady hand, "Old Capitol Prison, Nov. 10,
1860. Henry Wirz, Captain and A. A. g.,
c. s. A." There" said he, lis my last
signature"
At half past nine the
PREPARATIONS YOR EXECUTION
were made. Wir1 was attired in long
robe or shroud Of black cambria, and an at
tempt was made to handcuff his wrists, but
his right arm was SO wasted that the iron
could not be fastened without giving pain.
81 don't want to be cross" said he, "but
don't hurt me. The irons were removed.
LEAVES THE CELL.
When summoned to leave the cell, Wirz
remarked to Father Boyle, II hope this
black dress will soon be turned into Z white
robe. 60 willingly"
Meanwhile some 200 spectators had con-
gregated in the prison yard, about so Of
whom were representatives Of the press
Many Of the others were young officers, some
Of whom had experienced the crueltiss and
insults Of the rebel prisons.
In the distance the dome of the capitol
lowered up through theleaffess branches Of
the trees, and on every vantage ground near
by were spectators-many Of them soldiers
"A few Of them women.
ARRIVES AT THE oALLows.
AT quarter past ten. the hum Of CONVEX
sation subsidized into profound silence ~
Maj. Russell came from the prison, followed
BY the criminal, who was escorted by his
spiritual advisers. He was much taller man
than had expected to see, and walked with
firm step, glancing up ut the sky, as il
refreshed by tho sunlight his long, black
hair was combed smoothly down, his head
showing high forehead His beard and
whiskers were full. almost concealing the
expression Of his face, and his cunning eyes
twinkled with . defiant expression Of appar-
ent indifference. On reaching the gallows,
he assembled the steps with alacrity, and
seated himself in . chair placed on the drop.
Father Boyle, from the hour he had received
tie sacrament, stood at his right hand,
holding ia his hand small crucifix, and 1t
his left hand stood Father Wiggett.
CHARGES AND SPECIFICATIONS.
Major Russell read in . clear voice the
long charges and specifications, in which tho
name Of JEFF. Davis is included. Wirs lis
tened to the tedious document with attention,
nodding his head in assent when some por-
tons Of it were read, and shaking his head
negatively 1T other portions. Father Boyle
would occasionally present the cruci6x to him
as il to strengthen him for the coming
struggle by the hope Of divine forgiveness.
Occasionally the impatient crowd would give
hideous yells, upon which the criminal
would betray uneasiness. Then Father
Boyle would display the symbol Of redemp-
ton saying, "Faith, hope, charity-repent-
snce will save you." At the last reading of
the charges, the specifications, the finding Of
the court, and the Presidents approval Of
the sentence, had all been read, Major Rus
sell turned TO the prisoner, and asked il he
had any remarks to make. He replied in an
unconcerned tone that he had no wish to say
anything to the public. To the Major he
would say he died innocent. He had but
once to die. His hope was in the future.
Major Russell then shook hands with him
receiving his thanks for courteous treatment.
The priests babe him farewell with words Of
consolation, and retired. He stood erect
upon the drop; the hangman pinioned his
arms and feet, adjusted the moose and put
on the black cap. Then commenced
UNEARTHLY WELLS
From those outside the prison yard, as If
execrating the rerpretator Of the atrocious
cruelties. Maj. Russell raised his cap.
THE DROP FELL.
Henry Wirs with . sudden plunge was