Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-03-07

neck. uttering words of the fondest at
fection. For the first time the felon
evinced emotion. Tears followed each
other rapidly down his cheeks, and
when he attempted to speak the words
seemed to choke him. The officers f.
nally separated the prisoner from his
relations, led his mother and sister from
the room and the door closed between
them forever. Upon being again placed
in confinement, Ferguson could no
longer conceal his agitation. He paced
the narrow limits of his cell incessant-
", occasionally groaning in the bitter
ness of his mental agony. His spiritual
advisors, however, were constantly with
him and their exertions conduced main
" towards the fortitude and resignation
which he exhibited in his last hour. At
half past ten breakfast was furnished
the prisoner, of which he partook spar
ingly. At eleven he was again brought
to the ante-room for the purpose of hav-
ing his photograph taken, at the solici-
tation of his friends. The likeness was
taken by Mr.. Granier, Of our town, and
is an excellent representation. During
the operation the prisoner was perfectly
cool and collected.
Preparations for the Execution.
The gallows had been erected in the
rear of the Jail, in the yard. A large
concourse of people had assembled, in
side the fence and at favorable points of
observation on the outside. With the
exception of piece of canvas over the
top, the scafold was uncovered. The
fatal rope, of length sufficient to admit
of fall of seven feet, was attached to
the beam overhead. The moose was
examined by quite number of gentle
men present, besides the officers and
pronounced to be perfect in every par
ticular. The trap was set and sprung
ard found to be in perfect order.
Gn the way TO the GaslOws.
At precisely ten minutes past twelve,
the prisoner, leaning on the arm of
Sheriff Oliphant, and attended by
Fathers Cassidy aud Walsh, Deputies
Matthews, Cotton and Bates, emerged
from the Jail and walked with a firm,
determined step around the building
and ascended the scaffold. There was
no faltering, no hesitation With the
exception of a slight paleness of his
features, there was no evidence of fear
or even agit; ton He stood erect while
the death warrant was read by Sheriff
Oliphant. Upon its conclusion, Mr.
Oliphant asked him if che wished to
make any remarks to the people? He
replied, "no; | have nothing more to
say than is contained in my confession. p
Father Walsh then inquired ''if he
harbored i'll feelings towards any of the
officers p He replied "no," and shook
hands with them all, also with the
priests and oursclf, bidding Us "good-
bye" With smile upon his counten-
ance, he stepped forward upon the fatal
trap. His arms and legs were pinion-
ed, the black cap drawn over his face
and the moose adjusted.
Horrors of the ExecRticn-The
Esope Slips.
The Sheriff stepped quickly back to
the edge of the scaffold and waved his
hand as the signal for springing the
trap. Those assembled held their
breath in suspense. The rope was cut,
the treacherous trap gave way and the
prisoner fell, but it was fated not to be
the final act of the terrible tragedy. No
knot had been tied in the end of the
rope which passed through the blight of
the moose, aud when the strain came
upon it, the end drew through, letting
the unfortunate man fall to the ground.
An exclamation of horror escaped from
the spectators. The officers themselves
were for a moment paralyzed. The
prisoner laid for moment, motionless,
and every one prayed that the strain
upon his neck had been sufficient to
dislocate it. He soon gave evidence of
life, however, and commenced praying
"Oh, Lord have mercy on my SOUL"
"Oh, Lord have mercy on my soul"
He was again assisted on to the scaffold
BY the officers and the rope re-adjusted
as speedily as possible. In the interim
the prisoner conversed freely and easily
with his spiritual comforters. He had
received no serious injury. A second
time he stepped forward upon the trap
without assistance, the signal was given
and at twenty minutes past twelve, John
B Ferguson was ushered into eternity.
There was no perceptible movement of