The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1866-05-03

friend, the Sheriff of j.
81 don't know" said the Sheriff; but
it always struck me that it does matter
how the end comes"
eff you must die" said Gibson, what
is it to you, after few brief minutes Z"
every true," responded the Sheriff
a mans life is easily taken, and all
modes have the same result But then,
[ think one ought to consider the amount
of suffering or disgrace involved in the
method"
"Most persons, suppose, would pre-
fer to die in their BEDS" said Gibson
"This | do not refer to however,
speak of death by violence If | were
doomed to death, would be careless as
to the means used"
"You think so, now" remarked the
Sheriff, "but if it should come to the
scratch, l think you would shun death that
involved suffering"
"Don't all the modes known involve
suffering? 2"
"The majority, but not all. For in
stance being guillotined would be far
preferable to being burned at the stake
Indeed, the guillotine is really humane
mode of punishment The knife drops,
the victim feels cold pressure on the
neck, and then all is over"
You are quite eloquent" said Gibson,
laughing. "What do you think of the
garotte ="
~ have been told that method was not
torture" was the reply. Eminent
physicians have informed me that, besides
Slight choking sensation, there is 20
pain in this method The horrible cen
tortion, and blacEening Of the face, has
caused many to think the garrotte a fear
full torture; but these changes in the
face are accounted for on the simplest
grounds"
$50 much for these" said Gibson
smiling. "Now tell US your favorite (ifI
may use the expression) mode of punish
ment"
"But for the shame which attends it, I
should prefer hanging" )" replied the Sher-
Iiff.
? "Upon what grounds 2"
ait is the easiest, and least painful
method known"
"How do you know this z"
81 once had description Of the whole
affair from'a man who was hung"
The party burst into laugh; but the
Sheriff's face did not relax muscle
ga jokes joke, Campbell" exclaim-
ed Gibson, "but this yarn is rather too
much for our credulity."
Nevertheless it is true" replied the
Sheriff; "and if you want the matter ex-
planned, may as we'll tell you the whole
story"
"Very good" said Gibson. "Let's
have good one, it will take a tough yarn
to sustain your assertion"
The Sheriff laughed good humordly.
Wait till you hear it," he began
"Ten years ago / was elected Sheriff Of
this county. My first attempt at open
ing court was made during an important
trial. The criminal was depraved, des-
peratc wretch, who had been indicted for
brutal and atrocious murder. The fe!-
low was greatly hardened, and seemed to
care but little how the trial resulted The
evidence was strong against him; and
when the case was submitted to the jury,
they returned a verdict OF" Guilty" with
out leaving their seats.
"The execution was fixed for certain
day, two weeks after the trial. OF course,
it was my duty, as Sheriff, to put the rope
around the fellows neck and launch him
into eternity. 1t was distasteful duty,
assure you F; for, though | knew full well
the man deserved his death, | did not
relish the idea Of hanging him. | got
through with it, however, and sent him
dancing on air. He did not struggle
much and | thought he had an easy
death. After hanging the usual time
and being pronounced dead, he has cut
down, and his body given to his friends
for interment. | thought had seen the
last of the man. as the wagon containing
the body drove out of the jail-yard, but |
was mistaken.
"About four months after the execu-
ton, | happened to be passing my barn,
when | saw man sitting in the doorway,
with his head resting on his hands. |
did not like his look, SO approached him,
and asked him what he wanted there
He raised in head, and looked at me in
silence. | am not given to superstition,
and | don't think | am very timid, but
felt my blood grow icy cold, as recog
nized in the man before me the person
whose execution | had conducted. His
face showed no traces Of his violent end ];
and the only indication of it, now visible,
was slight dsGgurement Of the neck
[ scarcely knew what to say or think, for
| had seen him hung, and heard him pro-
. nounced dead, and had delivered his body
, to his friends for burial; and yet after a
: lapse of four months, there he sat, look
ing at me with face as white as a sheet
, The terror that was exhibited in his coun.
! tenance convinced me that he was no ghost;
SO | asked him, with as much eoolness as
/ could command, Jack Larkins, do you