Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1868-03-26
Special Correspondence OF the HERALD
Execution of Ward alias Lnvigne
nt windsor.
WINpsoR. u, March %. lsG,

WINDSOR, VT, March 30, 1868.
Editors RgRIRi Herald John Ward
1liRs jerome Lavigne, to-day suffered the
'Ntremc penalty of the law for the MUIR
Ter Of Mrs sally Griswold at Williston,
his State, in the summer Of 1865.
Ward, it will be remembered, was ar
rested soon after the commission Of the
murder, upon suspicion, as was also
'harlcS III. Potter, son-in-law Of the muir
Tered lady, the latter Of whom was ac-
Quilted for want of sufficient evidence TO
prove his connection with the transaction.
Ward, at the April term of the Chitten-
Ten County Court, in 1866, was convicted
Of the crime. and sentenced TO be executed.
Exceptions were taken TO the decision of
this court. and the case carried to the
supreme court, which, at its January term
in Chlttcndcn County, in 1867, affirmed
the decISI0n u The County Court, and or
Tered the culprit remanded TO the State
Prison, to be placed in solitary confine-
nent until day of execution should be
iNed.. At the General Term of the Su-
IRENE Court, held at Montpelier, Novem-
Der, 1867, Friday, the Goth day of March,
1865. WAS fixed upon for the final execu-
non Of the prisoner, in accordance with
which decree he vas hanged by the neck
nntil dead on that day. The counsel for
Ward have been ever active in his behalf,
IND As last resort, but few days before
his execution, appealed to Gov. Page for
grant OF executive olemcncy in his be-
lalf. The request, how ever, was denied,
md there was no further appeal from the
-leniSinn- nf the courts The last ray of
nope had vanished. and the prisoner set
about preparing himself to meet his
Maker. in which, let Us hope, he SO well
uercrded as to find a resting place for his
pirit with the elect Of Heaven
He left his cell. accompanied by officers
On either side, and attended by Rev. Mr..
Butler chaplain Of the State prison, at
$50 o'clock, and proceeded with firm,
Elastic step, t~he platform of the scat
fold His appearance indicated not
hardened criminal. unconscious and heed
less af the fate before him, but a man who
fully comprehcnded his situation in the
eyes of the Redeemer and the public, and,
though lie regretted his course, was pre-
pared To atone therefor.
Having assembled the gallows. prayers
were offered by Rev Franklin Butler and
the death warrant read by Deputy Sheriff
:. W. Simpson, after which the prisoner
was asked it he had anything which he
wished to say, when he stepped to the
front Of the platform, and said, in a clear,
though trembling voice:
AS am about to appear before God, l
wish to state to you here assembled that
have made full confession to Mr.. But |
Ter. and what he mas is true in every re-
'pect As to the affair at Williston, | .
have TO say that did not strike or injure
Mrs Griswold, in any way l was there,
md knew the murder was to take place, |
md if that constitutes murder, then | .
I'm murderer"
He then bowed. and said he desired to .
'ay no more, though he was visibly af-
ected, and apparently did not communi-
ate all he had intended to. The officers
hen pinioncd his arms, hands and legs.
md Sheriff Simpson adjusted the moose
bout his neck, fixing the knot under the
,ack of the left ear, which being done,
he prison II called the chaplain of the
'rison, Rev. Mr.. Butler, and took an af-
farewell of him, as he did also
# Detective n B. Flanagan, who arrested
lin, Mr.. Pollard, Prison Superintendent,
he Sheriff, and the wardens and other
ttaches of the prison.. The Sheriff then
placed the black cap upon his head, and
aid, NOW may the extreme penalty Of
he law be passed upan you, John Ward,
nd may God have mercy upon your
oul.' These words uttered, the fatal
pring was touched, the platform upon
which the prisoner was standing gave
way beneath him, dali thud was heard,
nd John Ward was suspended between
leaven and earth,-tis soul launched
nto eternity.
The prisoner dropped about five feet,
nd his neck WAS disloeated by the fall.
lie died appar emily easy, a few convulsive
witchings OF the muscles only being Wis
Die. Ills pulse beat regularly for five
after which it became weaker
nd weaker, until, at the end OF
welye mimi ties, it was no longer percept-
Die. After hanging about thirty min.
ties the boz ly was cut down, placed in
lam eoffip !, and interr,sd in the prison
ard A SPECTATOR.