Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1866-03-31
DEATH ON THE GALLOwS.
SENSATIONS AND EMOTIONS, MENTAL
AND PHHSICIAL-STRANGE MARIA
TIVE OF RESUsCIATED FELON.

SENSATIONS AND EMOTIONS, MENTAL
AND PHVSICIAL-STRANG MARIA
TIVE OF A REsUsCIATED EELoN.
x : Ten years ago 1 was elect
ed Sheriff of this county. This was
my first election, and I have been re-
turned regularly ever since. My first
attempt to open Court was made during
an important trial. The criminal was
a deprayed, desperate wretch, who had
been indicted for an atrocious and bru-
tai murder. The fellow was greatly
hardened and seemed to care but little
how the trial went-the evidence was
strong against him, and, when the case
was submitted to the jury, they return
ed a verdict of guilty without leaving
their seats.
The execution was fixed for day two
weeks after the trial. Of course it was
my duty to put the rope around his
neck and launch him into eternity. 1t
was a distasteful duty, l assure you; for,
though l knew full wellthe man deserv-
ed his death, I did not relish the idea
of hanging him. Igot through it, how
ever, and set him dancing in the air.
He did not struggle much, and I thought
had an easy death. After hanging the
usual time he was 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 l saw man sitting on the door
way, with his head resting on his hands
I did not like his looks, SO approached
him and asked him what he wanted
there. He raised his head and looked
at me in silence. I am not given to
superstition, and Idon't think I'm very
timid, but felt my blood grow ice-cold
as recognized in the man before me
the one whose execution 1 had conduct
ed. His face showed no traces of his
violent end /; and the only indications of
it now visible, slight Disagreement of
the neck. I scarcely knew what to
think, for I had seen him hung and
heard him pronounced dead and had de-
liyered his body to hisfriends for burial,
and, yet after lapse Of four months,
there he sat, looking at me with face
as white as sheet The terror that
was exhibited in his countenance con-
vinced me that he was no ghost, SO I
asked him with as much GOODNESS as [
could command:
"Jack Larkins, do you know me ?"
" "You're the man that hung me-" he
replied doggedly, at the same time NOV
ing away.
"Before you go, Larkins," said I,
I" would like to hear how you cheated
the gallows."
T" You won't peach on any of them
folks as helped me, will you?'
"No," replied, 81 will not get them
intoany trouble. l simply wish to know
how you felt when you were hanging,
and how you were resusciat ed"
He hesitated for sometime, but, upon
a renewal Of my assurance that none of
his friends should be molested, he told
me the following story:
When 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 rather more startling than
painful, and did not produce insensi-
bility or confusion. His thoughts were
remarkably clear, and he seemed to have
the power of seeing far above, below
and all around him. Everything as
sumed a bright vernillion hue, and
soft dreamy languor gradually stole over
him, until he became insensible. There
was nothing painful or unpleasant in
he had undergone. He SEEM
ed te be sinking gently into delicious
sleep, and all his thoughts were pleasant.
The next he remembered was being
wrung by the most agonizing torture.
The pains were not confined to any par
ticular place but extended through the
whole body. His first thought was
that he was in perdition, and was suf-
fering the penalty of his crimes. The
pains increased each moment, and at
last became so intense that he started
to his feet with scream of anguish, at
the same time opening his eyes. Great
was his 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 his
own bed. AS soon as it was thought
safe to do so, his friends informed him
that, upon bringing his body home, they
had determined to try to resusciate him,
although they feared it would be useless.
They worked faithfully and at last suc-
ceeded.
"But, sir" said the man, in confus-
ion, coming to life again was much
worse than dying"
The man promised to leave the State,
and try and do better. I had but little
confidence in him, yet 1 let him go.
He kept his word however, and short
time ago heard he was well-to-do
farmer in one of the Territories.
This, gentlemen, is the manner in
which l got my ideas about hanging,
and l think you will admit their force.
Chat anooga Gazette.
The NOBLE RED MAN" Are you
a Christian Indian 7" asked benevo-
lent gentleman of one of the Chippewa
tribe. "No, Sir" was the answer !;