The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-11


the cowled and sombre shape standing ngd for the fan
All but the officer who charged with sprnging the
trap retired from the scafiold, and as the
latter passed swiftly TO either side OF the drop
Withdrawing the bolts that We're used 10 sustain
1t in addition TO the spring, Wrz, who seemed 70
have expected the fall Immediately, seen to sway
slightly, but even then there appeared 10 be deter
mined recovery Of equilibrium and he became motion
less Standing thus eight seconds, when the Off
Ger below raised his cap signal and there was crash
Of the falling trap asudden jerk and tension OF the rope
and dark and heightened form swung convuisively be-
meath the seanoid. For a moment there was hush
upon the multitude within and the people upon adjacent
house tops all eyes noted the spasmodic twchng OF
the lower parts Of the criminals body and some strong
nerved the crowd made audible calculation of
the number of remors that pass through the frame be-
fore life becomes totally extinct Then came some
thing like cheer from beyond the prison walls where
all available objects commanding a view of the scene
within crowded with citizens and soldiers,
and gradually there lifted from the nearer spectators
the occasoned from seeing life pass violently from
most infamous manhood to the darkest valley Of the
shadow OF death, and there hum Of comment M.
companed with general crowding nearer the scaaold
At the same time photographer adjusted his instrument
upon the roof of adjoining she'd with ts lens covering
the scaold and the that quivers from its beam
Fifteen minutes more passed without material event
The people who had the roofs Of houses and in
the branches OF trees, together with considerable mum
bes from the prison. retired from the contemplation of
the scene leaving only few officers and large group OF
the members OF the press 10 witness the last
of the tragedy. About quarter TO eleven "a
surgeon approached the pendant body, carefully
raised the lower part OF the hood aud peered for little
time into the dead mans face and felt for the hatter OF
his pulse There was no spark Of animation remaining
The rope made to loose its throttle, aud the body
was lowered upon hospital sctchcr carried past
the crowd into the dead house Of the prison The guard
was brought to attention and filed out of the
court leaving the spectators in undsturbed possession
of the field, quarreing and elbowng each other for
fragments Of the rope that performed the sacrifice Not
five minutes elapsed before the evolutionary cable
severed into inch bits that accompanied the delighted
possessors from the field
II understood that Father Boyle has applied for the
body OF Wrz hut General Augur until
authorized by tho War Department
INCIDENTS.
Mr. Schaoe says ne called upon by several
last night also Father Boyle who communicated
information purportng to come from member Of the
Cabinet the effect that IL Wrz would acknowledge
that jeff Davis connected with the atrocities at
! Andersonvillc his should be committed.
Although Mr. Schade did not place fun confidence in the
reports he considered TO be hs duty relate the
prisoner his last conference with him Captain Wz,
in reply said "Mr Schade, you know have always told
you that did not know anything about JEFF. Davis lie
had no connection with me to what done nj
Andersonville and If knew he had would not become
traitor against him any else to my hfe.n
The following letter written 10y before mount.
! ing the gaoas:-
| OLD CAplroL PRISON Nov 10 1855
Mr. ScH.Dy-DYAR SIR-lt is no doubt the last time
address myself you. What have said TO you often
and often repeat accept my thanks, sincere heart
1
you--i cannot. Still have something more TO ask of
| you, and | am confident that you will moi
| poor famy--my dear wife and children. War; crsei
4 war has swept everything from me and to-day nv vie
| NV children are 6cggais Nv life Is demanded M AN
| aoaement. | am willing to give II; and hope that
after awhile will be judged differently from what am
! now. Ii any ought ITO come to the r,3ief OF my
family It is the people OF the South for whose sake
have sacrificed all ! know you win excuse inc lor
troubling You again. Farewell dear SIR MAY .oa nhss
you. Your thankful WIKI
| In Captain waIbridges room, in The prison, was
| found a journal Of wirzs prison life, enclosed
in envelope and addressed IN Wirzs own
hand TO Mr.. Louis Schade s counsel during the trial
| Though the superscriptop had been made among the
last acts OF the condemd before leaving his cell there
was no trace or agitation in the chirography and not
of the characteristics. nourishes omitted He had
also left the following books that had boon allowed him,
with directions that they should be his Children
| among the yaumes were-A French Missa spirit
ual conferpnces," TWO volumes Of Bulwors 'aa1tons"
"The lev OF Verona and several books religion and
| metaphysics
A,ng the spectators present al the execution
ro Vermont who alleged that he had travelled post haste
frc his home in that STATE for the express purpose Of
Witnessing the death struggle of wirz He attracted
considerable notice while the former hung suspended 10y
offering impromptu and very reyerent petition To
Heaven thai 80 This end may all the Southern Leaders
| como"
Tho following ictter, without dae signature.
written by Virus hand President johnson four
days before his execution; but his counsel NJ Schadc
| deemed h upafvisable present H.
l With trembling hand, with nears nicd with the
moment and dssrairng the NEXT have taken the liberty
Of addressing you when consider your exalted posi-
.on wnsn .nins 20, momsn, ,.sa 70 YOU, BAN rests
well pause 70 call 20 aid courage enough 70 lay
before you my humble petition have heard you
spoken OF M man willing and ready at all times and
under all circumstances TO do justice that man.
| however humble be may be, need fear TO approach
1 you, and therefore J have come TO the concu.
/ sion that you will allow tho same prvi.
| iegc M extended 10 hundreds and thousands OF
all II IL not my desire nor intention enter into an
argument as 10 the merits Of my case In your hands
am rghtfuliy informed, AFRO all the records and evl
dences bearing upon this point and wond be prssumr-
only one thing that ask, and II is expressed in lew
| words, pass your sentence For sis weary months
have been prisoner tor six months my has been
in the mouth Of every by thousands am considered
monster Of cruelty wretch that ought not 10 polte
tue eaih any iohRer, iIu.y Nuen phss m 10y, ihlhu
over the testimony given sometimes almost doubt
own existence. ! doubt that ! the Captain wrz
spoken OF. doubt that such lived such
he rs said 10 be- and am inclined TO call the
tans 10 fall upon and bury me and my shame. But OIL
sir while wiring my hands in mute and hopeless dcs-
4 pair, there speaks small but unmisakable voice
within me that says CoDsoie myself Thou knowest
| thy innocence Fear not If men hold thee guilty.
! God does not, and life will pervade your benEn
Such has been the state OF my mind for weeks and
months, and punishment that human ingenuity
inic could increase my distress The pangs ~ death
therefore l
| pass your sentence without delay. Give death
! liberty. The one do not fear; the other 1
II you believe guilty OF the terrible charges that
| have bccu heapcd upon me- deliver me TO the execu.
TONER II not guilty In your estimation, restore me to
liberty aud life. A life such as am living Ia no
life breathe, sleep eat; but IL Is only the mechanical
pprfo md pathf