The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-04-26

ELEVEN O'CLOCK.
We entered the Jail at IL o'clock
Less than fifty persons, all told, were ad-
mitted inside the walls OF this humber,
five or six were of the jury which convic-
ted the two men, eight were representatives
of the press, two clergymen, two medical
gentlemen, &c. The press was represen-
ted by Messrs. Cooley and Penniman of the
Pittsburg Gazette, Locke of the Pittsbure
Chronicle, Houston of the Pittsburg DIS
patch, Irwin of the Pittsburg Commercial
Woodruff of the Johnstown Democrat
Kittell for the E6ensburg Dem. d5 Sent
and the reporter for The A0sykaaian.-
Mr.. Martin Munday, father Of one of the
murdered victims, applied for admission
but was denied.
THE GALLONS Eg
The gallows had been erected in a
temporary enclosure adjoining the Jail on
the east. This enclosure was about so
feet long by 20 wide. The gallows was
composed of two uprights Is feet high,
with cross bar of feet; the platform was
about four feet from the ground, and was
10 feet long by 8 feet wide; the trap was
cut in the centre of the platform, and was
4 feet long, by 81 feet wide The trap
was supported by an upright post, con-
nected by a rope with weight In the
opposite end of the enclosure. When the
trigger was touched, this weight fell for
ward, drawing the upright post with it.
thus removing the support of the trap
The drop was thirty inches The entire
machinery was constructed under the
immediate supervision Of the Sheriff The
rope was manufactured in Reserve town
ship, Allegheny county. 1t was of hemp,
half inch in thickness, and cost twenty
five dollars.
LOOKING TO GOD FOR MERCY.
The last hours of the condemned men
were spent with their spiritual advisers in
prayer The public was not admitted to
their cells, but we are informed that each
professed to have made his peaoe with
God.
BUSER DESIRES TO MAKE A STATEMENT.
There is good authority for saying that
Buser expressed a desire to say few
words On the scaffold IN vindication of
Houser's innocence, but was dissuaded
from SO doing on the ground that his last
could be more proftaby en-
ployed in prayer.
THE HOUR ARRIVED.
A few minutes before II o'clock, Sher-
if Meyers proceeded to the cells of the
condemned men, whom he found on bend
ed knees engaged in prayer They in
stinctively OWNED the object of his er-
rand, aud rose to their feet. The Sheriff
said that he regretted more than words
could express the disagreeable duty i'm
posed on him by the law, out it was 9u-
", and must be performed. Buser made |
answer by clasping his arms around the |
Sheriff neck and kissing him. Houser
likewise embraced and kissed him, thank
ing him for the uniform kindness extend
ed him during his long confinement. The
arms of the two were then securely pin
ioned, aud the sad procession to the gal
lows was formed. Father Christy sup
ported Buser, and Father Giles performed
the like office for Houser.
TWELVE O'CLOCK.
At precisely II o'clock, thu procession
reached the gallows. Buser and Houser
both asceaded the three or four steps
leading to the platform with buoyaut,
elastic tread. Not the tremor of u muscle
NOT the slightest approach to fear, was
visible in the mein or carriage of either.
They walked up to the grim instrument of
death as brave men walk up to the can
mons mouth in battle
Buser was deathly pale, but this was
owing wholly to loss ct blood experienced
in his attempt to commit suicide. HGuser |
retained his natural color.
On reaching the platform, Buser cast
one swift glance upward at tie gallows,
and another at the little knot of silent be-
holders in front Houser apparently
looked into space.
The prisoners knelt on the platform,
while the men of God reciteG the impress
sive prayer for the dead. During the
continuance of the prayer, Houser once or
twice looked forward upon those there as
sem5led.
Al! this time, the lips of both moved |
increasingly in silent prayer.
At the expiration of ten minutes, the |
clergymen arose and presented a crucifx |
to the lips of each prisoner, shook hands
with them and kissed them, and then re- |
tired from the scafold.
At this juncture, Houser called forward
DR.. Bum, the prison physician, and Mr..
f. r. Dunegan, one of the County Com
and bade each an eternal
adieu, asking them to pray for him.
Buser spoke to nobody.
The Sheriff then stepped forward and
adj usted the ropes to the necks of the two
men, first pinioning their legs. Not a
tremor of fear in either
The white caps were then drawn down
upon their faces.