Smyrna times., 1865-11-15
The Hanging of Wirz.

Henry WirZ was hung on Friday morning,
and thus closes the last act Of solemn, event
ful story. He is regarded as the eminent
demon OF terocity, and murder and treason, and
his death Will. doubtless, be hailed as meri-
torions yindication of law and Justice.
Wirz became much more composed when his
fate was announced, and rested much better
than formerly. Yesterday, when he saw the
scaffOld he remarked, with the utmost compo-
sure, Well, you must be putting up the scat
fold!" Immediately after his sentence was
read to him, it was proposed to place two or
three IN his room to help to make his time pass
pleasantly, and to see that he did not attempt
suicide, when he remarked: I'm not going
to commit suicide; | am not afraid to die, and
will not save the Government the expense of
hanging me. After the sentence was read to
him he said! I'm id if the Yankee eagle
has not turned out to be what / expected
id turkey buzzard. He then asked that
the Rev; Father Boyle be sent for and also Mr..
Schade his counsel.
Some 400 spectators, principally the faithful
proxies OF the public, the reporters, artists,
and photographers, were admitted into the
court yard of the Old Capitol prison before 10
o'clock. The surrounding buildings, sheds and
trees were black with people anxious to get
glimpse of the scene.
About 200 men kept guard within the yard
| At q teW minutes past 10 Wirz was conduc-
ted from his cell between Father Boyle and
| Wiggett. He ascended the steps with ease and
alacrity, and was seated on a stool in the CEN
ter OF the platform, the rope touching his back.
He was dressed in black cambria gown, with
a cowl at the shoulders
Father Boyle, who spent the night with him,
and administered to him the last sacrament,
says he passed a very comfortable night, and
firmly and constantly protested his innocence,
and expressed his faith in the holy religion.
Major Russell read the specifications and
charges, with the various and several orders of
the Court concerning the case.
lie was then approached by the ministers of
that wonderful creed which is the first to reach
the sinner with its consultations and the last to
leave him to despair He reverently kissed
the crucitix, and the platform was cleared
Calmly and patiently the condemned listened
to the whole roundabout of repetition and for
mulas, and at the close, by signal from the
, officer, stood up erect and self-possessed while
his arms were being pinioned. The rope was
: then put around his neck lie remarked tc
! the officer, THAT Is too tight loosen it lit
! tle." Major Russell and the priests SHOOK
/ hands with him. In reply to remark of the
former he said 4" know you are only doing
7 your duty forgive YOU. Father Boyle wa!
j the last to leave him. His last words were
} : | am innocent. | will have to die some time
I | will die like man. Ny hopes are in the fU
} ture."
2 The cowl was then drawn over his head
3 shutting out the last ray of sunlight and tn
| last glimpse of earth, and for a moment tn
3 black eihgy stood motiOnless, while the hushe'
7 spectators were motioness and silent. Th
l bolts were then drawn at thirty-two minute
6 past 10. The body dropped heavily and swun
3 round several times, with cOnvulsive move
I ments of the legs, and the light of intellect
4 and the still feebler light Of conscience, wa
| extinguished forever.
0 Inside all was silent as the grave; the crow
0 outside, however, set up short cheer, whic
6 must have reached the victim ears as his sou
5 took its flight
4 After hanging fifteen minutes, Drs. For
% and Ensign approached and felt the pulses
5 and few minutes later the body was lowere
6 and taken into the prison. 1t is understoo
g that the remains will be buried by the city al
a thOrlties.
0l Wirz' life was not worth much to him, nc
Is his death worth much to the Nation. Many
70 greater criminal has been pardoned, and man
)6 better man has been compelled to witne'
'5 his own funeral. The public conscience wi
II probably feel as if an act of great justice hi
10 been done. Neither his countrymen nor h
s late employers will mourn for him. As Shak,
y speare has said: I" 1t is the misfortune OF kint
IS to have too willing tools, whom living the
'9 tolerate, but dying they despise."
y Two other subordinateS, who shared in thes
Il atrocities are now in the Old Capitol Prison
u Capt. r. S. Winder and Private James Dur
can. 1t is not known whether they will |
n tried by military commission.