The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1866-05-03
,cplied doggedIy, at the same time NOV

replied doggedly at the same time NOV
ing away.
'I covered him with my pistol, and
told him if he would move foot l would
shoot him."
{" He paused and looked at me fxedly
"What do you mean to do with me ="
he asked. "Do you mean to hang me
again.
"It was strickly speaking, my duty to
arrest the fellow but could not do it,
The idea Of having to hang him again
was revolving and determined to let him
escape. | told him if he would promise
to leave the eighborhood, and never come
back again. | would let him 90. This he
readily promised, and assured me that he
would never cross my path again, as moth
but mere chance had led him to cncoua-
ter me this time.
"Before you go, Larkins," said I, 81
would like to hear how you cheated the
gallows."
"You won't peach on any of them folks
as helped, will you 2" he asked.
NO." l replied; I will not get them
into any trouble l simply wish to know
how you felt while you were hanging,
and how you were resuscitated.
He hesitated for some time, but upon
a renewal of my assurance that none OF
his friends should be molested, told me
the following story:
"When l put the rope around his neck
and left him on the gallows, he felt
faintness about the heart, caused by his
realizing his fearful situation, for the first
time; but before he had time to think, the
trap was sprung, and he fell through the
opening. The shock Of the fall was rath-
er startling than painful and did not pro-
duce either insensibility Or confusion
His thoughts were remarkably clear, and
he seemed to have the power Of seeing
far above, and around him. Everything
assumed bright vermilEon hue; and a
soft dreamy languor gradually stole over
him until he became insensble. There
vas nothing painful or unpleasant in any
thing he had undergone. He seemed to
be sinking gently into delicious sleep,
and all his thoughts were pleasant. The
next thing ne remembered, was being
wrung by the most agonizing torture
The pains were net confined TO any par
ticular place, but extended through the
whole body. His first thought was that
he was in perdition. and was suffering the
penalties of his crimes The pains in
creased each moment, and at last became
so intense that he started to his feet with
a scream Of anguish, at the same time
opening his eyes Great was the surprise
to find himself in his fathers house, in
the midst Of his friends and relatives He
tainted at once and when he recovered,
found himself in bis own bed. As soon
as it was thought safe to do so, his friends |
him that, upon bringing his |
body home, they had determined to try |
to resuscitate it, although they feared it /
would be useless. They worked faithful |
ly, and at last succeeded.
"But sir" said the man in conclusion !
coming to lie again was much worse
than dying"
"The man promised to leave the State,
and try to DO better had but little conf !
dence in him, yet let him 90. He kept |
his word, however, aud short time ago | |
heard he was a well-tod do farmer in one
of the territories.
"This, gentlemen; is the manner in
which | got my ideas about hanging, aud |
| think you, must admit their force"