The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-04
THE SCAFFOlD.


Execution nj ~. Hyaeinthe, Canada-Lnst
| Moments Of the Observation-Disclosures scenes
ON the ScNHold.
Isl. Hyacinthe correspondence July y OF the Mon
treal Herald
AT an early hour this morning the coed people OF
the town were on the move but probably few OF
them to-day are thinking OF the holiday or the ami
versary OF Confederation. sadder, an almost Or
pressively painful feeling exists In the hearts OF
rejecting. cloud rests the spirits OF the thought
less while strange excitement pervades the minds
OF all; for shut out from the outer world by the
thickness OF prison wall and few iron bars, is
who no longer belongs 20 II, who though living,
is yet separated from the living by the cod, hard
hand of death; who before the gun has risen 20
the meridian win have passed from this life into
eternity Within the prison walls is erected scat
fold, concealed on two sides from 'be public gaze,
though unfortunately exposed on the other two and
on those extending far out over the fields IL massed
an immense crowd old men and young boys, and
even children, mothers and daugnteTs-aye, girls IN
their teens-haye collected In numbers to see an
happy man die "A shameful death, although we must
do the fair Of 80. Hyacnthe and the surrounding
country justice and observe that the whole the
number OF women present was smaller than is usua
on such occasions.
Let us now enter inside the prison walls and take
step backwards In the course OF tune 10 the night
previous. In the cell OF the condemned man. be-
sides the prisoner were Mgr. Joseph Bishop Of Ger
Mr.. Blanchard. The Bishop spoke TO the prisoner for
epme time on religious subjects relating TO him In.
teresting ana comforting anecdotes OF the lives Of
pious men. About ten O'Clock the prisoner appeared
TO be overcome with sleep. About midnight he woke
up, and on being asked he slept wen, replied, "Oh
no, there's no sleep for me tonight lie refused
food, and, Notwithstanding his remark was soon
fast asleep again and continued to sleep until nearly
four O'Clock. Al four O'Clock the Rev. Mr. de Lacroix
VINO had heard the prisoners confession the night
previous arrived TO administer the last sacrament.
The prisoner partoak OF the Holy Communion and
anlf ran "A mn nj TIM
Between seven and eight O'Clock he asked for pipe
and smoked In company with the Rev. Mr.. Blanch-
ard. The next two hours were passed by the clergy
man In administering spiritual consolation 20 the
unfortunate man, who, M the time OF his exc.
cuiIon drew near, became agitated. shortly before
the hour appointed, he wept aud bitterly depored
his fate. In The course Of the usual preparations,
Immediately previous to his execution, he grew al
most violent nercey grumoling at those attending
him, aud applying to them tue epthet Of dogs, " ~
Jdiu etre chtens :" were his words. He objected TO
having his hands fastened, but this ABSOLUTELY
necessary, the belt was passed round his waist and
his hands fastened TO H. At his earnest request the
passed the moose round hs neck, aud the mean.
choly procession was formed. His attire consisted
OF pair OF black trousers, white shirt and black
issued from the prison door In the follow ing ORDER
First, Mr.. Tache, the sheriff then DR.. Turcote,
| Mcssrs verronneau and Blanchard, then the
| prisoner, supported by two fellow prisoners ana
accompanied by M de la Crolx and the jailer,
and followed by the execuouer, holding the end
Of the rope In his hand, and alfred In black gown
and hood, his face being concealed under black
| thick VEIL 10 this order they moved across the
prison yard 10 the foot OF the scaTold The prisoner
was evidently prey TO the most abject terror the
cold perspiration running profueey down his face
and his limbs scarcely supporting him. In this con-
dition ne was carried rather than led, across the
yard by the men who.assisted him, and about half
way up the scatrod steps, when he seemed TO gather
little more courage. perhaps from the words OF NJ
de la Croix, who from the time the procession was
4 formed until he placed upon the trap ,never
ceased to breathe words Of announcement into his
On reaching the scaffold he and the clergyman
knet side by side. After some further exhortation
| N. de la Croix asked him II he forgave his
| enemies, to which he almost inaudiby an
| swered yes" The last dissolution was pro-
| nounced, and the prisoner having kissed the
| cruci1x, which was presented TO him, he was then
placed upon his feet and moved towards the trap and
Here his little remaining courage entirely forsook
him aud perhaps invountarily his Nmbe refused 70
| move. HE assistants placed him gently, but by
| main force, upon the trap; the executloner struck
the bolt with his foot and In instant the wretched
| man dropped about seven feet Az this moment a
| sort of shudder ran through the crowd causing a
\ slight motion lkethat OF field of corn agitated by
| the slightest breeze but not o sound was heard and
for several minutes the slightest noise would have
| been heard far OF.
| Insensibty was instantaneous and not q move
ment OF his fingers Of the muscles Of bis legs or
| feet betrayed the slightest pain. His puse did not
entirely cease TO beat for seventeen minutes. About
| half an hour Afterwards the body was taken down,
| performed by Dr. Turcotte assisted bJ Dire. NORM,
| hslhiot and two medical studentA II was ascey'
tanned that the Of death were the violent con
Il brain which eaOaad iUamadtokn tnsen-