The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1866-05-17
-ExEoUTIoN AT:hAvENNA.


Cooper, for the murder of John Rho
denbaugh, last October. The Herald
says: u,a al.. .Hfa. Hr
The third execution chat ever took /
place in Portage county, and the first
in twentyfsix years, occurred on Fri
day, April 9th, at Ravenna, within
the county Jail. Samuel Wittum, alias
Jack Cooper, alias WIN. Moore, alias
Samuel Clark, alias VIM. White.-lor
all these different names he has as
sumed during his career of crimc-
suffered the extreme penalty ofthe law,
for the murder of John Rodenbaugh
in October last. AS he was tried and
convicted under the name of Jack
Cooper, wo will continue to speak of
him by that name.
After giving some details about Coop
er's personal appearance, and his at
tempt to escape, we have the following
account of
HOW cHLoRoFoRM WAS ADMINISTERED
M UT TO COOPER.
After the desperate attempt made by
Cooper to break Jail on Sunday night,
he remained renal lkably quiet, but 1t
= was thought by those who had watch
cd him the closest and knew his dispo-
sion the best, that there was some
thing wicked brewing. Close observa-
tion of his movements convinced Sher-
ifF Jennings that another attempt to
escape would be made, and he concu-
ded TO place him in irons. By some
means, probably through some of the
prisoners, Cooper became aware Of the
intention of the Sheriff. 1t was deci-
ded to put irons on him on Wednes-
day. During the day he went into
his coll, and barricadcd himself with
in it. He tore up his bunk, and pla-
ced tho pieces against the door
When the Sheriff came TO shacklo him,
he swore that no one should enter his
cell. and that the irons should never
20 on his limbs while lie was alive
He was perfectly wild with excite
ment. His eyes glstened through the
barred door like those of an infuriatcd
tiger. He raved and tore around his.
cell like mad man, cursing and swear
ing in the most blasphemoLs manner.
The Sheriff found that it would be i'm
possible 10 contnc him without consd-
cradle assistance: He, therefore, cal
led in several of the prominent men of
the town, to consult as to the best
course to be pursued. Among them
was DR.. D. r. Jennings. who proposed
that chloroform should be used to sub
due the enraged murderer. 1t was at
first objected to by some, but Drs.
Keyes and Graham being consulted,
it was decided that that was the only
means of accomplishing the desired
end. Two large syringes were pro-
cured, that would each hold about one
pound of the hesubtlefuid. The syringes
were filled with the chloroform, bed
quilt procured to place over the gra'
ting Of the cell door, and after every
thing was prepared the contents ofonc
of the syringes was discharged into the
cell, and luckily struck Cooper full in
the face. He was somewhat taken
aback by this novel procedure and
told them to come on with their doctor
stuff, but they would never subduc him
in that manner. A second discharge
of the chloroform laden syringe
however did the work. In little less
than four minutes from the time OF the
first injection of the chloroform, the
raging man was quiet and sank down
on the floor perfectly helpless. The
Sheriff and his assistants took him out
into the corridor of the Jail, where tho
manacles were placed on his legs and
arms. In about fifteen minutes he
revived but the deed was done and h'
was unable to do further harm, A.
soon as he became able to speak ant
move he raised his manaccd hand'
and said, with wicked oath, "Gente
men, you have showed good deal o
wit, but you are set of towards. y
This took place on w ednesday.
In the process of injecting tho chic
roform into the cell, por:ion of th'
fluid struck him in the eyes, and othe
portions went into his bosom, blister
ing mis- body considerably. One o
his eyes was quite badly infamed oil
the day of the execution,
PREPARATIONS FOR TIE EXECUTION.
Upon going into the Jail the CORES
pondent found Cooper in the midst Q
his attendants, talking. coolly, and TO
question as to how lie felt, he answer
ed, with half smile on his face, "a
well as could be expected under tn
circumstances" He went to sleep th
night before at about twelve O'Clock
and slept soundIy until four. Beior
going to sleep, and on waking in tn
morning, he was very talkative, con
versing freely with all who called, o.
any and every topic.
Between eight and nine o'cloc'
Rev. J. G. Hall, Of the Congregations
Church in Freedom township, who ha
acted as his spiritual adviser, called t
see him, but Cooper told him that h
did not wish TO talk with him ther
as he was busy with his brother.ir
law, Mr.. Hiram King, of Elkhart, Fri
Co., Pennsylvania. Mr., King wa
with him during Thursday night, an
up TO the hour of his execution.
About nine O'clock the shackles o
his hands were taken off for the pul
pose of allowing him to wash an
dress. The irons on his legs were re
tanned. During all this time he eS
hibited the utmost GOODNESS, fully a