The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1866-05-17
Execution Of a Murderer.

lie shops Fyfht dnd is .Subdued by Chloro-
a man by the name Of Cooper was hung
at Ravenna, Ohio. last week for the MUIR
der of John Rodenbaugh last autumn
Tho Pittsburg Dispatch gives al account
of an attempt of his to escape. as also of
his execution: GG N.ss@ Ess
1--WE published yesterday an account of
the desperate attempt he made to break
from Jail. IT seems that on Wednesday
Sheriff Jennings received Information that
IA bold and daring plot had beer latl to re-
peat the effort, Cooper having six confede-
rates in his scbe,n". I; WAS therefore re-
solved upon when the men were placed in
their cells ut night to so securely n,annc.e
and fetter the ringleader as to render futile
all his cherished hopes. To effect this OBJ
ject as quietly aud with rs little trouble NJ
possible il WAS arranged that Cooper sho'd
t.~ i,,.iassl ~. >nes
fold on which fIe WIS to Sufrer-a privilege
he had himself requested. Either he re-
ceived some indication of the intention to
thus dispose of him. or whether he intui-
lively suspected something Of the Kind, it
is impossible TO say; but when called for,
he refused To come out. and harricadet
himself strongly in his cell. He placed
his bunk firmly against the door, and then
broke up what furniture he could To use
in his defence, if attacked by u storming
party. He was also found to be armed
with razor. and he boastlngly defied the
whole county to capture him. II was ii
nally suggested by DIR. Jennings, II den
tist, who was present, that he might be
subaued through the agency fchloroform
Consultation heing had with DIR. KeyeS and
DR.. Graham it WAS decided on To resort to
the novel expedient. There were several
spots in his Qualifications through which ne
could be reached one was at the grating
10 the door of his dungeon; the other, by
way fan bfterstice in The wall which di-
vided his cell from the one adjoining
Arming themseve with syringes, the med
itiI snen proceeded to inalgurate this re-
markable species of ofhomlardrtent. Thnse
times they played on him with considera-
bic force, and quickly brought him to
terms. He begged them to spare him and
he would unconditioHaily yield. But they
knew their man, and felt it advisable to
render him powerless for further mischief
before giving him, another chance for re-
sistance. A few more shots were fired, and.
i'm less than four minutes from the time
the battery was put in position. he fell over
heavily on his hunk. completely senseless.
He was then dragged out, and the heaviest
irons in the Jail placed on his limbs.
Cooper. with his arms pinioned in the
usual way, mounted, tlie scstfpld atone o.
clock, attended by tli. Rev. Mr.. Hall, the
Sheriff and his subordinate officials. He
WAS informed by Sheriff JoHnings that the
time had arrived to perform the painful
oflice, and asked him if he had Anything
10 say. lie answered that he had, and in
ouired IL his brother-in- law was there, and
WAS told 'ves." - Is the clergy yman be-
hind me2" hss asked. The assurance was
given him that the Rev. Mr.. Hall close to
him. lie then launched into u rambling
ana coherent speech. .aata G5&&
A cap that was upon his shoulders was
| removed, and his legs were securely fas-
tened al the knees and, ank les. Then as
the Sheriff was aboutto tx the cord abou,
| his neck, he asked leave To do it himself
Bending his neck and raising his hound
hands, he shifted the moose over his head
and then give particular directions where
/ to place the Knot, as If he had been used tc
and perhaps, assisted ut similar otsasions
before Finally, bidding farewell toali n
round, he responded to'the Sheriff's ques'
tion. Jack Cooper. are you ready to meet
your God?" by exeiainiing almost flip
PANTY, I'm ready to die. Knock i'll"
The trap fell, and in one moment th'
murderer was launched into eternity. Th'
| knot had been, indeed, most scientifically
adjusted, and his neck was broken instan
tasnousiy; So ended the earthly career o
one of the worst ,lesperadoes that bad train
ing and vicious courses ever trained for thu
| gibbet. rn ~
A tail Eastern girl named Short, long
loved n certain big Mr.. Little. littl,
thinking that Littleloved little lass nam
ed Long. TO make long story short
/ Little proposed to Long, and Short longed
10 be even with Little's shortcomings. 81
i Z h