The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-07-07

| No one tells that John Briden was owing the
old lady 500; nobody tells that, since heI
death, he has been trying 70 break her win.
wouldn't he be as apt to cut her throat Is poor
granted that this matter Is wrong. Nobody
tells that this old ladyb daughter auarreled
with the old lady all the time-that che treated
her worse than would dog. It was no I'M
common thing for her to call her mother q
liar. do not say that she killed her mother.
but AGAIN I Gag did not. q 81 IA
The pr oeecution tried to prove that there
~ to prove against poor Bella Who strewed
that blood along my track; did it come from
Bell or somebody else? But Bell has to be
hung because he was poor man and tenant
OF Mn. Briden's. They said In court that Bell
looked like hardened criminal. Because
once had some pecuniary trouble East which
thousands OF men have, they say am o crimi.
nal There are men In the East who know
me. They always knew me to be as mild,
temperate and harmless man ae ever lived on
Gods earth. You can hear this by going to
them. Ishan not be forgotten. I have friends
in this world, and believe that have in the
world to come. am human being who
stands before you for the last time. Gentle
men, realize TIL In Q few days you have got
TO came after me. We have all got to appear
at the iudgmentseat of God. Gentlemen,
would like to talk al day and all night, for you
think ] killed An Bnden. Idd not. z
his depodt0n On Tie night previous, thanking
the Sheri6 and clergymep Tor their attenti on,
etc. Il b printed above. III s,1a.n :
PUTTING on THE sHRouD. 80 r.
The Sheriff now stepped forward with the
and held his arms behind him to be pinioned.
The Deputy Sheriff. Mr.. Buell., secured them
carefully By his side. When this was done Bell
attempted to raise his hands to his face, but
finding that he could not do so, the tears ran
down his cheeks, for the first and only time
during the preparations for the execution.
Many SpMsa ana ah stout .s5
the shroud upon Bell, leaving on his pants,
shirt and boots. He stood like statue Of mar
bic, bis thin face rivalling the shroud in white
ness. But nota feature gave way-not mus
Gle moved. His lips were tightly compressed,
as If he were making an effort to remain calm.
The spectacle was watched with the stiffness
OF the grave. q -
ADJUSTING THE ROPE. y H."
The moose was next slipped over Bells head,
while he bowed In silence to receive it. While
the knot was being properly adjusted. he ex.
claimed, "Christ died for You and me upon
the cross" The sheriff stepped back. and all
VleWcQ tAe awful scene DcIOre tuem. In mo.
ment more the man would be before the iudg-
ment seat of God-that instant he was In the
flush Of early manhood. An felt the deep So
lemnity Of the occasion. ~
COVERING THE FACE. 81
Mr.. Heath now took the hangman's cap in
one hand, and offered Bell the other, saying,
:" Bell, this is hard, but it is my duty" He
then drew the cap over Bells head and face,
and secured it. While doing 90 the unhappy
man said, May God bless you ALL" -
HIS ApPEARANCE IN CAP AND sHRouD
There stood the spectre-a monument Of
pure white. Strange robe for murderer,
when white is the emblem of purity and inno-
cence. He was motionless. Apparently not a
muscle quivered. The sight was actually ap-
palling, and no one who was present seemed
as If they would ever wish to witness the like
again. ..' ..-..
"Ae You ready, Bell 2" quietly asked Sheriff
Heath. !" Ready" was the reply, "but Gods
win. not mine, be DONE" And be was in eter.
nifty. At precisely quarter to four o'clock
the soul Of William Bell, with its innocence or
burden of crime, took its departure hence.
There was no struggle after the first wild con-
vulsion, and even that was momentary. The
executioner did his work well. Between heav-
en- and earth the body Of the murderer hun, :.
The scripture was verifed-the outraged ma
jesty of the law indicated.