The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1867-04-11


were tried, found guilty aud sentenced
to be shot. The sentence of the court
was approved by the commanding Gen
eral, and the day set for the execution
The day before the execution, Father
F., Catholic Priest and Chaplain of
regiment then on duty at the Ferry, visit
ed the prisoners, and they told him their
story and substantiated it so far as their
connection with Gilmore robbers was
concerned, by the testimony Of one or
more rebel prisoners, whose evidence was
not allowed before the court martial.
Father F., believing their statement,
became interested, but without giving
any hope for q reprieve, he charged them
to prepare for death. His only chance
was with the President, and it being late
in the day-too late to reach Washing
ton. he determined to use the telegraph.
He wrote his message to the President.
giving history Of the case, and appealed
to Mr.. Lincoln, asking Gods mercy for
the poor cast down prisoners.
The message was sent at once by DR..
d. j. l., then military operator at
the Ferry, to the War Department Of
fee.
Father F. returned to the condemned
prisoners, and remained with them until
late hour in the night, engaging in re-
ligious exercises, preparing the men to
meet their doom.
The operator remained on duty all
night, anxiously awaiting the Presidents
reply, but there was none up to daylight,
when all the wires communicating with
Baltimore and Washington went down.
Nine, ten, and even .welve o'clock
noon came, and vet the wires were still
as death-not particle of current on
them could be "felt'' or tasted The
prisoners were to be executed at one
O'Clock! Not one word from the Presi-
dent, and all hope was lost! Sadly and
anxiously did Mr.. l. sit by his instru
ment, adjusting and watching for the
slightest current. Eighteen hours of
constant and incessant watch, and yet
his hopes we're not weakened. He felt
that the President would not refuse to
save the men and although they we're
to be shot at one o'clock, he was sure
they were innocent, and that God would
yet give them safe deliverance. He re-
mained by the instrument, and saw the
procession pass his windows, with the
men seated upon their coffins, the band
playing the dead march on the way to
the place of execution. But fifty min
ates more, and they would be dead.
And now I must give the part per
formed in this interesting reminiscence.
was in the Baltimore office. At ten
o'clock A. NJ, of the day of execution, /
was called upon to answer s'Di-the tel
egraplt call for the War Department of
fee. did SO, and received the follow
ing message:
"ExEcUrIvE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, -, 1854.
$40 Commanding Officer Happer's Terry:
"Delay the execution of -- and
until further orders.
A. LINCOLN"
With directions to get it to Harper's
Ferry, if possible, in time to save the
men, as they would be executed at one
o'clock. felt the responsibility rest
ing upon the telegraph and upon me as
an operator, but what could do without
anxiety which afflicted me during those |
hours. The lives Of two human beings |
in my hands, and unable to save them. |
As long as life lasts, will remember |
the terrible thoughts which oppressed |
by testing, reversing battery, |
ing for current, but all to no purpose. |
Noon had passed, and twelve o'clock
and fifteen minutes come, when 1 heard
the armature of q magnet splutter, as il
was at work on the wire
There was an unmistakable indication
There was hope for those two men eighty |
miles away, whose reprieve had in my /
hand! In an instant the lever of the |
fell with heavy "click,' and
IN another instant had my key open
calling H. F." as fast as could make |
she letters.
No answer?
called Frederick, (Maryland-")
He answered.
us your ground on?'' l asked.
"Yes; no circuit west" he said.
"For Gods sake take it off. and save
he lives of two men, l told him, and |
comm enced calling "H. F." again.
Harper's Ferry heard me say, "save |
the lives of two men," and made III. |
F." twice. He broke in and said:
.Here am, saved, thank God Go |
ahead
1 sent him Mr.. Lincoln's message, |
Without waiting to say 80 K He 7
threw open his key, and dispatched an !
orderly, who was in waiting on horse |
back, to deliver the message, directing |
him to whip the horse and make him run /
every step of the way.
The place of execution was some two |
miles away, over the Shenandoah, and |
the road to the place, for nearly mile, |
extended up the side of steep noun
tain.
The orderly lost no time He made
his horse fairly dy up the mountain side
but, when he had nearly reached the |
summit, the horse gave out, and fell with
him to the ground
The cavalry men were standing near
With their horses. The orderly ran to /
Them, and exclaimed In the name OF
President Lincoln let me have one Of
your horses; have pardon for these
men, and can save them"
Without saying another word, he
- - u Il - II.