The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1865-04-19
The Execution OrIIenry DuCOIOn
at TOls do,

Henry Ducoon, convicted Of the murder
/ of Frederick Boolman, of Toledo. on the
| lst Of November, was executed at Toledo
Oh the oath ult. The Toledo Record gives
| the following particulars:
He took the chair placed for him upon
the tlaT-veIy carefully put ON a pair OF
| white gloves presented him by the Sher-
| lfi-snme fifteen minutes were consumed in
religious tormalities-he was ordered to
| stand up and the usual legal documents we're
! read, at the conclusion of which, the Sher-
| if said:
Henry Ducolon, have you anything to
say before | proceed to execute this SEN
tcncc?. II you have anything to say, say it
now
The boistcrous crowd without, in their eff
forts to reach the CRATES of the Jail and look
IN upon the scene, created such noise that
it wasimpossiblc to hear distinctly the reply
which was, i'll effect, that ne deserved death
and hoped he was going to God. The Sher-
if stepped hack with disappointed look
when the Rev. Mr.. Everard whispered
something in his ear, and he again stepped
in front Of the prisoner, and looking him
kcenly in the face, said:
do YOU mean to say, before the persons
here assembled, that you are guilty of the
crime with which you stand charged?''
Yes sir, in voice hardly audible was
the only reply. --l..
The unshaken resolution manifested by
the prisoner up this time, now gave way
took his hand, whispered something to him
when he became more calm; after a short
prayer the Sheriff proceeded to place the
white cap upon his head and adjust the rope
about his neck, when he seized his hand and
shook it over a minute; after the cap and
rope were adjusted, he again shook hands
with the Sheriff, ,jailor, and Mr.. Rof'-thcy
Immediately descended and Ducoon stood
motionlrss and alone upon the scaifold. The
rope which sprung the trap passed into u
hall Of the scatfold. As the Sheriff disap-
pcarcd in this hall, our eyes rested upon the
rope; i'll an instant it trcmbled, followed by
4 jerk, and quick as thought the body de-
Scended, and Henry Ducolon was rapidly
passing into the presence of his God, aud if
forgiven Of his crime, he is leading a life in
world superior to this and beyond its pre-
iudice. As he dropped, rush was made
towards the body. BY twitcling his head
just before the srlineing of the tap, or from
some cause, the rope had become disarrang-
ed, and while hanging, the knot, which sho d
have been under his car, was nearly under
his chin; his struggles were consequently
hard, The persons present manifested in
tense curiosity. Some would feel his twitcling
arms, others his legs. others would slightly
raise the white cap and look at his neck,
wl1icif was purple and covered with perspi-
ration in the vicinity Of the rope. After
SIN minutes he was pronounced breathing
freely; some one suggested to pull him up
three or four feet and let him fall again, but
his breathing and struggles grew fainter in
fifteen minutes he was pronunc, dead. AZ
ter hanging twenty minutes: Give hnrtwo
minutes morc!" was the order from some
person in authority; at the expiration of
which time they procc, ded to cut him down,
one man tried to hold up the body while an
other tried to slip the rope fom his neck
and over his head, which ''plan" was
failure" man then asccndcd the scatIold
and cut the rope above, and again they tried
to slip the knot, which plan was fail
ure. They cut the rope from his neck,
carried him into the hail. placed him in
coffin, he was taken in charge by his friends
and we left the scene.
There may be paliating circumstances in
murder for revenge, but this was a clear
case Of murder for money. The murderer
was determined to move in the circles of the
fancy had the heart but lacked the
head to make a successful william,