The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-07-15
Fearful Scene at an Execution.

murder OF his vile, tile circumstances al
tending the execution making it one OF
the most extraordinary that the history Of
public executions in this country has
shown. A correspondent, after giving the
particulars OF the crime, tells of the crowd
assembled at the execution, of the manner
in which the culprit passed to the gallows,
and of long address which he made to
the crowd. Tie correspondent thenadds:
The sheriff now began to get up into the
wagon. Ludwig rose from his seat and
began another speech, which was q mere
repetition Of his former one. He ramblcd
on disconnectedly for several minutes, and
it became clear that he would never vol
UNFAIRLY stop. An hour and n half had
already passed since the arrival at the
oallows. and the hour of two had already
zone bv at which the final act was intend.
ed to have taken place. But the sheriff
in his kindness of heart, was indulgent to
the poor wretch, who it was evident, clung
10 life with extraordinary tenaclty. And
vet there was no blanching nor change OF
color. nor visible unsteadness OF nerve IN
the prisoner About the time the sheriff
mounted the wagon, however, the prisoner
put one foot on the side CT the wagon
BODY, and evidently thought of jumping
off. though this movement was little NO.
ticed at the time. He took it Gown again
and went on with his talk, looking around
now and then in different directions. See
inc he did not intend to stop talking at
ali. :.heriff Walton at length took him by
the arm and asked him to step on the
platform. But he begged to be allowed
to finish what he had to say. The shelllf
told him he could finish on the platform,
and commenced drawing him by the arm
towards it, but he hung back and insisted
on talking in the wagon. The sheriff then
called his deputy, who took hold Of the
other arm, and they began to lead him to
ward the hinder part of the wagon. ne
then asked to be allowed to tell the minis
ters farewell, which was permitted. After
that he turned round and expressed a wish
to shake hands with all the bystanders IN
side of the guard, who were perhaps twen-
ty in number, consisting of officers, 9Sc-
1t was evident that this was the effect
merely of reluctance to go on the plat torni,
and desire only to prolong the time. So
the sheriff and deputy paid no attention
to the request, hut gently, though firmly,
moved him to the plattrcm, he all the
while showing great repugnance .olt, and
leaning back, but making no strenuous re
sistance.
But the instant he touched the platforms
most extraordinary and exciting scene
ensuct He at once made wild plnnGr
forward with the intention of leapIng of
the platform on the farther side, and with
the evident purpose OF making break and
desperate endcavor TO push his way
through the crowd and escape his impend.
ing doom. Nothing could be more hopeless
than such an effort, as would he manifest
to any rejecting mind. But Ludwig had
ceased to reflect; lie only felt the animal
instinct of self:preseryation. To submit
was death. To struggle was more than
death. lie succeeded in throwing his feet
off the platform; but the two officers hav-
ING hold OF his arms and shoulders. held
fast, and pulling him backward he fell
with the upper part OF his back still on
the platform, his legs and part of his body
projecting over the edge. The platform
was about four and half feet high. Sev-
cral of the nearest officers OF the guard III
once rushed to the assistance OF the sheriff
and laid hold of Ludwig's LEGS. endeavor
inc TO shove him backward on the platform.
But the prisoner struggled with almost
Superhuman strength. With all the vlgor
of his powerful and muscular frame, nert
ed by despair, he wres'icd with fate. For
long time he uttered no word, but with
convusive and rapid movements of arms
and lrgs strove to wrench himself from the
grasp Of the eight or ten men who now
had hold of him.
A thrill of awe and horror ran through
the immense assembage, and it swayed t"
and fro like forest shaken ly mighty
wind. Some turned and fled from the
awful spectacle; exclamations of excite
ment and terror broke from others; wo.
men and negroes shrieked Such q scene
is not often witnessed In this world. But
those whose duty it was to act remained
calm and cool The guard, most of whom
mad been old Confederate soldiers, simply
brought their muskets to "ready," and
stood as serene as they were wont to do
in recent times of real danger And still
the struggle went on, one against ten {;
and it seemed at times almost like the de.
spairng wretch would succeeded in free
ing himself from the powerful posse who
were holding him. The moose was two
feet above his head as he lay, and power
ful efforts were used to push him up to it.
Meanwhile the platform grew rlckety and
several were employed in steadying it
At the end of more than five minutes
which seemed, however, to be three times
as long-thc sheriff was about getting the
moose over Ludwig's head, winch he threw
quickly from side to side to avoid it. lie
then exclaimed that he would stand up
and be qniet if they would release their
hold; but this was evidently said only for
the purpose of inducing them t" relay Ia;