Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-07-10

10 the prisoner. About the time the
sheriff mounted the wagon, however the
prisoner pu, one foot on the side Of the
wagon body, and evidently thought Of
jumping off, though this movement was
little noticed at the time, He took il
down again and went on with his ram
bling talk, looking arousd now and then
in different directions. Seeing he did
not intend to stop talking at all, Sheriff
Walton at length took him by the arm
and asked him to step on the platform.
But he begged to be allowed 10 finish
what he had to say. The sheriff told
him he could finish on the platform, and
commenced drawing him by the arm
toward IL; but he hung back, and in
sisted on talking in the wagon. The
sheriff then called Deputy Crawford,
who took hold of the other arm, and
they began to lead him toward the hinder
part Of the wagon. He then asked TO be
allowed to tell the ministers farewell,
which was permitted. After that he
turned round and expressed wish to
shake hands with all the bystanders in-
side OF the guard. who were, perhaps,
twenty in number, consisting Of officers,
etc. IL was evident that this was the
effect merely of reluctance to 20 on the
platform, and desire only to prolong
the time, and the sheriff and deputy
paid ne attention TO the requst, but
gently, though firmly, moved him to the
platform, he all the while showing great
repugnance to it aud leaning back, but
making no strenuous resistance. ....,
But the instant he touched the plat
form most extraordinary and exciting
scene ensued. He at ence made wild
plunge forward with the intention of
leaping of the platform on the further
side and with the evident purpose of
making break and desperate en-
deayor to push his way through the
crowd, and escape his impending doom.
Nothing could be more hopeless than
such an effort, as would be manifest to
any rejecting mind. But Ludwig had
ceased to reflect; he only felt the ami
NAL instinct of seIf-preservation To
submit was death. To struggle was no
more than death. He succeeded in
throwing his feet and legs off the plat
form, but the. two officers having hold
OF his arms and shoulders held
fast,i 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 aud half feet
high. Several Of the nearest officers Of
the guard at once rushed to the assist,
ance Of the sheriff, and laid hold of Lud.
wigs legs, endeayoring to shove him
backward on the platform But the
prisoner struggled with almost superhu-
man strength. With all the vigor of his
powerful and muscular frame, nerved by
despair, he wrestled with fate. For
long time he uttered no word, but with
convulsive and rapid movements of arms
and legs strove to wrench himself from
the grasp Of the eight or ten men who
now had hold of him. +s.
A thrill of awe and horror ran through
the immense assemblage, and it swayed
to, and fro like a forest shaken BY a
mighty wind. Some turned and fed from
the awful spectacle; EXPLANATIONS of ex-
citement and terror broke forth from
Others women shrieked. Such a 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
had been old Confederate soldiers, simply
brought their muskets to ready, and
stood as serene as they were wont to do !
n recent times of real danger. And still |
.he struggle went on, one against ten;
aud 1t seemed at times almost like the |
wretch would succeed in |
freeing himself from the powerful posse |
Who were holding him. The moose was
wo feet above his head as he lay,
md powerful efforts were used to |
push him up to it. Meanwhile the
platform grew rickeiy, and several were
employed in steadying it. At the end of |
more than FIVE minutes-which seemed,
however, to be three times as long--the
Sheriff was about getting tbs moose over
Iudwig's head, which he threw quickly
rom side to side to avoid il. He then
Exclaimed that he would stand up and
,e quiet if they wsuld release their hold
tut this was evidently said only for the
purpose of inducing them to relax their
.forts, for he showed no sort of disposi-
ion to relax his own exertions. The |
Ulcers persisted in placing the moose
'VeT MS ucdut duu hS He icit tuat IN
vtable fate now had him, he is said
o have muttered curse, which was over
card by some of those nearest him. The
oose was at last put on and drawn
light around his meek. He clutched it
and still used his feet to
he utmost in kicking off those who had
old Of him. 1t took several minutes to
inion his hands and feet; be mean
,hile lying on his side and choking to
cath as fast as possible, for the rope was
tretched by his weight His face was
erft city livid, and his eyes starting from
heir sockets, presenting spectacle not
asily forgotten; the Sheriff, being too
usy subduing and pinioning him to take
ime 10 put on the white cap. By the
me his arms and legs were tied he
ad become motionless; the cap was
ut over his face, and the officers
prang off and knocked out the
rop. Ludwig being in recumbent
oslure, and the rope at full tension al.
sady, when the drop fell he swung
emily down with his feet short dis
lnce from the ground. His neck could
OF have been broken; but he died very
uickly, and without a single movement
fter he was swung off, except one or
70 slight heavings of the chest The
oose was got on at thirteen minutes
ast two at eighteen minutes past two
le drop fell, and in ten minutes there
Iter Drs. Hall and Fraley pronou need
fe extinct, aud the spirit Of Ludwig
as at the bar OF God.
The body was taken down at quarter
three o'clock, and, after being placed
the neat coffin prepared for the occa-
on, was delivered 10 certain persons
npIoyed by the Sheriff TO give It burial !
! the land owned by his father, Lud-
igs old home. The large crowd then
1ielr Dispersed. all Of them. douhtless.