Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-08-24
Execution of Starkweather the
Murderer.

double murder OF his mother and sister n
year or more SINCE He was executed in
the Hartford Jail in the presence of about
two hundred persons. We copy the fol-
lowing details from the Boston Post:
{" Up to within few days the manner
during and since the trial-that of appa-
rent indifference. But within The last
week that was changed, and gave place to
detection and sort of nervous prostra-
ton. He had for some time been in
hopes of a reprieve, which hope probably
nerved him up to the indifference he ex-
hibiied, but when that hope departed his
confidence evidently forsook him.
The unhappy man spent the last night
Of his earthly career in reading, writing
and prayer, occasionally bridging his bril-
atwood pipe into use during the evening.
Prof. Simonson was with him portion of
the night, and his keeper remained in the
cell with him all the time. Indeed, for
the last two weeks he has not been left
alone for a single moment. He went to
bed about two o'clock and slept soundly
unit! a few minutes past FIVE. He then
made his toilet, ate hearty breakfast,and
again smoked.
AT his own request the death warrant
was read TO him in his own cell at eight
lffn &c h.a ,.reh -
done on the scaffold. 1t was done by
High Sheriff Russell in the presence of
: reveral deputies and officers of the Jail and
reporters
' When the party reached the cell he
was eating piece of biscuit, the remains
of his breakfast, and his pipe lay on the
bench beside him. He had evidently
. nerved himself up for the scene, and to
= one not used to seeing him he appeared
. perfectly self composed; he greeted one
: or two acquaintance quite cordially, and
reached through the bars of the grated
% door 10 shake hands with them. The
~ morning sun shone pleasantly into The
cell-for him the last time The Sheriff
&c on entering took seat beside him and
u proceeded TO read the fatal document by
u authority Of which life for life was so soon
le to be rendered up. When the Sheriff
Is came to that part of the document that
< spoke directly of the murder of his moth
re er, calling her by name, he did not start or
.. move hairs breadth, nor did he betray
IL the least sign of emotion by word or hook,
" bu, during almost the entire time he kept
" his eyes fixed upon the repol ter's note
y book and pencil. Hitherto Stark weather
- has persstently refused to have his hair
10 cut, and, like his beard and mussaehe, it
10 was full and long. To-day, however. he
10 requested TO have barber sent to his cell
" that his hair might be cut. This request
" was complied with The prisoner has
70 grown pale during his year of prison life-
= as might be expected and it was also
Is discovered, when be was stripped the 9th
~ er day 10 search for hidden means Of sui
eide, that he had grown poor in flesh
e more so than his face would indicate,
Is The public interest in the affair began
at an early hour this morning, at which
u time men, women and children began to
- assemble in the vicinity Of the Jail, and
20 the crowd continued to increase until by
: noon it numbered as many as two thoas-
" and. AT eleven o'clock the Hartford City
u Guard appeared ON the spot and were dis
" trihuled about the jail grounds and also
'' inside the building. At twelve O'Clock
;" the doors were opened to those bearing
tickets of admission and very soon every
- place in the corridor from which view Of
!, the execution could be had was filed
AT fifteen minutes before one O'CLOCK
:, the prisoner was led out from his cell, ae-
80 companied by Sheriff Russell, Deputies
:. Finch, Dibble and Prior, Jailor Fem and
Prof Simonson. He was dressed in light
=. colored pants and vest and dark froek
+, coat. He walked along the passageway
with Mr.. Dibble, and assembled the SCAT
-. iOiu Win Hilu sieI, anu toOh seal On
the fatal drop, and had prayer-book in
hand. Prof Simonson then read short
=. chapter from the Episcopal service, and
followed with a short prayer of bis own
Starkweather then knelt in silent prayer
He then rose and shook hands with the
deputies, and after a moments whispering
IL TO his spiritual adviser, that gentleman
of said, " The prisoner requests me to say
in he dies in charity with all his fellow
au. and in the hope of salvation through thu
,nt merits of Christ Jesus" The prisoner
md then shook hands with deputy Dibble ant
old whispered" want you to pull the cal
IN. over my eyes," Mr.. d. replied, " Thu
of Sheriff will do that" The fatal noos
lso was then placed around his neck, and a
lis this he changed color slightly and his eye
the wandered about over the crowd with som