National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1868-05-08
BRADFORD, FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1853
Execution of Samuel Mills, the Fran
coma Murderer.


9th inst. All of our readers are so
well acquainted with the circumstan-
ces of the msrder, capture of the
prisoner. his trial, confinement and
repeated attempts to escape, that
We need not mention them here
Up to the day of his execution, Mills
had entertained hopes of escaping
the penalty of the law, and so strong
was this hope on the day proceed
ing his death, that in answer TO the
question, "Do you realize that you
are to be hung tomorrow y he ey
pressed the opioion that there would
be a sufficient number present OPP
posed to capital punishment to pre-
vent the execution, but said: "I1
they think best to hang me | shall
try to nerve myself up to it,"
He never seemed to realize the
cnormity Of his crime or the awful
doom that awaited him. The bru-
tally of his crime, his conduct dur
ing his trial and confinement, and
the stolid indifference which he
maintained during the last hours OF
his life, showed him to be almost
devoid Of all the attributes and
feelings which distinguish man
from the brutcs.
Although possessed Of a low or
tier of cunning which enabled him
to devise means to escape from his
prison yet he lacked Judgment to
profit by it.
He slept well the night before the
execution and ate a hearty break.
fast. He was attended by Rev.
John Gowan, pastor of the Metho.
dist church at Haverhill, who was
his spiritual adviser; and by his
own request TO one else, except a
few whom he designated, was per
mltted to see him in his cell.
AT about eight o'clock in the
morning a crowd began to assemble
about the prison. The morning was
cold and dismal with indications of
a storm. A noticeable feature of
the crowd was the number of fc-
males present. Constant arrivals on
all the roads leading to the village
soon swelled the number to about
5000.
The scaf1old was erected on the
cast side of the .Wil, the beam pro
jectine from the window Of the cell
formerly occupied hy Mills, and
passing through the aperture which
he made by cutting out the bars
and through which he escaped near.
ly a year ago.
AT 10 o'clock Sheriff G.. $. Stev.
ems and his assistants took the pris.
oner from his cell and proceeded to
the scallold. Mills appeared little
pale but no traces of emotion were
visible, and he maintained u stolid
indifference throughout. His long.
bushy hair was brushed back, ana
his low forehead, deep sunken eyes,
massive neck, and heavy under Jaw
covered with u struggling beard
gave him a most repulsiye appear.
ance. He was handcullcd and his
feet were fettered. The clergyman
and n few others took their places
on the scail'old, then came the shcr.
i'll with the prisoner, followed 10y
the representatives. Of the press.
eight in number, who were assigned
aplacc on the platform.
The prisoner was placed on the
drop and while the rope was being
adjusted about his necl, he was gaz.
ing around on the crowd and talking
to those near him in an undertone.
The sheriff then read the death war.
rant and Rev. Mr.. Gowan offered n
most earnest and affecting prayer.
The sheriff then said to the prisoner
"Samuel Mills, you have fifteen min
utes to live. II you have ANYTHING
TO say YOU now have an opportunit,
to say it," Mills replied to the shcr
i'll, ~ don't know as have much Il
say y but after moments hesitation
he said to the crowd, "Gentlcinen
am guilty-Sam Mills is guilty
but | think | have made my peace
with God. | will show that | die
like a man. If | have done any.
thng wrong hope the people will
forgive me-" lie ceased speaking
'of moment, and considerable com.
MOTION was visible in the crowd /:
QUO old man cxclaiming, "Glory TO
Cod.
while the lamp holds ut 10 burn
The Nle't sinner may rctutn."
Mills then said, "rell the folks all
around that Sam. Mills lived like a
man ana died like man--tbat no
was guilty Of bis crime"
His arms and legs we're then con.