The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-11-03
PAUL. FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 1866


mercy on the prisoner. The prayer recog-
nized the hand of God in all things, and
asked that the soul go soon to be launched
into eternity, might find its place on the
right hand Of God, as lasting monument
OF his grace, and the saving merits of Je-
sus. He then repeated the Lords prayer,
and to it the auditors responded by one
deep and solemn amen. 49,.
During the prayer the prisoner wept-
the first evidence of emotion which be had
yet given. Colonel Shafter took q hand
kerohief and wiped the prisoners eyes,
his own at the same time being any other
than dry.
After this, the Colonel read the charges
and specifications against him-Ferguson
standing unmoved until he had read the
fifth, in which be was charged with mur-
dering the venerable Reuben Woods. When
that name was mentioned he dropped his
head, and looked steadily on the ground
for time. He was evidently effected /;
remorse had penetrated to his callous heart.
But like Pharoah, he coon steeled himself
against the reproaches of conscience, and
he raised his head and braved the worst.
On reading. the 18th specification, in
which he is charged with numbering an old
man named Kiser, and bis little daughter,
he shook his head; and on reading the
18th specification, in which he is charged
with numbering three soldiers of the Union
army, he turned to the Colonel and said {:
81 could tell it better than that, Colo
nell" Co..
81 presume you could" was the reply,
and the reading was continued.
From the 18th specification, to the end,
he nodded his head, at the close of each,
in acknowledgment of his guilt-or rather,
as lie claimed, in acknowledgment of his
exploits in legitimate warfare. ,..-
HIS LAST sPKxoH. .o
After Ool Shafter had finished the read
ing, be turned to the prisoner and said
'InSotedience to this order, Mr.. Fergu-
son, it is my duty to execute you"
II know it." responded the prisoner.
Do you blame mea" inquired the Col
onel.
"Not particularly" was the response.
"Have you any thing to say ?"
81 cant speak much," said the prison.
er; 81 did some of the acts charged, but
not all; some l know nothing about.
desire, Colonel, not to have my body cut
up by doctors, but want to have it put
in that thing pointing to the coffin
"and taken to the grave yard in White
county, Tennessee, and laid there. You
won't have me cut up, will you, Colonel p
"No," responded Ool. Shafter, "you
shall no6be cut up; your body shall be
sent to your friends. Have you any thing
more to say?" -., .,,. -. .....,-
"Well, whenever you say stop, I'll
stop" said the doomed man &c am un-
der your control; Iwouldnt be here if
could belp it, but | must, and Imust SUBJ
init. What l am, am, and I can't help
it; but you would not have my body cut
up. would you Colonela"
The Colonel again assured him that his
remains should be given to his family.
81 have continued the prisoner,
"some as good friends rs any man; but
they can't help me, mos All have to
say is. 1 don't want to be cut up by the
doctors; will you put my body in that
thing again pointing to his coffin
"and send it to White county, Tennessee,
and have it buried in the old grave yard
there ?"
The Colonel again assured him that be
would accede to his request.
The cap of death was then drawn down
over his face and COL Shafter said:
"Have you any thing to say? If you
have, say it now, and we will wait on you. -
Raising his head toward Heaven, he
said, in solemn tone: -..,
"Lord, have mercy on me, Ipray you 5"
and as bis voice ceased, by stroke of the
axe the support was severed, and the
drop fell, and the prisoner was suspended
between heaven and earth.
The drop fell at precisely twenty min
utes before twelve, and he remained hang
ing twenty-five minutes, when the body
was cut down and laid in the coffin, and
conveyed away. His neck was broken,
and he bled profusely at the nose. After
he fell his body moved but twice, and that
slightly, 90 great was the shock of the
descent.
MISCELLANEOUS
On being asked concerning his political
faith, Ferguson said, e" / die q rebel"
While Cd the scaffold Ferguson recog-
nized number of acquainances in the
crowd, to all of whom be bowed politely,
and accompanied the bow with q smile.
His family, after separating from him,
went to the large house adjoining the peni-
tentisry, to await the result. His wife was
so deeply affected that she was compelled
to lie down; his daughter, however,
neived herself up, even to the indignant ;
for, when the announcement was made
that all was over, she exclaimed:
"Well, 1 hope they are satisfied now =
-"Haugman FoOte" applied yesterda,
through Daniel 8. Dickinson, for admission &c
practice law In the United States Supreme
Court. bat failed to receive the privilege, ow.
ing to his inability to take the oath of ale
glance.