Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1868-03-27

THE EXECUTION.
The time Mt length arrived when the
execution of the death penalty for the
terrible crime should take place. The
prisoner up to this time had maintained
perfect command of himself and had
talked with the chaplain and sheriff with
perfect freedom concerning the whole
matter. He even asked the privilege of
being allowed to hang long enough to
make it certain beyond the possibility Of
a doubt that he was dead. He did not
wish to be buried alive. At about one
o'clock it was told him by the sheriff
Mr.. Stimson of Ludlow, that all was
ready; whereupon he set about dressing
for death. He washed, combed his hair
with great care and precision, and dressed
himself in black broadcloth suit. He
wore dress coat rather long and closely
buttoned over striped shirt, with white
collar and tie At fifteen minutes past
one the sheriff, with two assistants, APP
preached the cell and unlocked its door,
when the chaplain came out and walked
by the side of the sheriff and the prisoner,
between the two assistant officers arm in
arm with each. The solemn march of
death thus began and proceeded along
the north corridor around the west end of
the cells, and down the south corridor to
the southeast corner of the prison, where
was the scaffold. The prisoner scanned
every person with that terrible gaze Of
which he alone was capable. He cast a
look at his coffin which was placed upon
saw horses near the gallows. He mount
ed the scaffold with astonishing firmness,
and stepped upon the fatal drop with as
little apparent hesitation as though he
were to give his measure for new suit
He east a long look at the gallows above
and on either side, and at all who stood
by, nodding to occasionally one whom he
knew as walters and keepers of the prison.
The officers having taken their respec-
tive places upon the scaffold, appropriate
religious exercises were had by the chap
lain who read prayers selected by the
prisoner from the Book of Common
Prayer. The sheriff then in a distinct
tone of voice read the death warrant as
follows:
THE DEATH WARRANT.
Now, therefore, by the authority Of
the State of Vermont, you are hereby
, commanded that upon Friday, the Goth
{ day of March, in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and sixty
eight, between the hours of eleven o'clock
; in the forenoon and three in the after
noon of the said day, within the walls Of
the State Prison, in the State of Vermont,
at Windsor, in the county of Windsor,
in the said State. or within the enclosed
yard of the said State Prison, agreeable
to the provisions of chapter 126 of the
General Statutes of Vermont, you cause
execution of the said sentence of said
court in all respects to be done and per-
formed upon him the said John Ward,
alias jerome Lavigne, for which this
shall be your sufficient warrant.
Given under my hand, pursuant 10 the
order, and under the seal of the said
Supreme Court at Burlington, this 10Th
day of January, A. d. 1868.
Attest A. J. HOWARD,
Clerk of the Supreme Court"
! Officer Stimson then asked the prisoner
fsn
if he had anything to say.
DYING WORDS.
The prisoner raised his eyes, and with
perfect selfpossession said:
wish to say to the public that
have made full statement of the case
for which | have been convicted, which
is now in the hands Of MIR. Butler the
chaplain that as am soon to appear
before God the Eternal Judge, hereby
solemnly assert that what he has in his
possession is a true. and nothing but
a true statement of my participation.
What was done at Williston participa-
ted in: but never struck the old lady
or injured her in any way I feel as il
4 her blood was not on my hands, although
hhc" III WAS, SoiIS 10 DC uOle, ana IN
!, fact partly assisted. If this be murder,
then / am murderer"
Having made these brief remarks, he
indicated with a polite bow that he was
done, when deputy officer o. L. Rich
mond proceeded to bind his wrists and
legs and pinion his arms. The moose was
then adjusted about his neck, in very
careful manner, with the knot under the
left ear. Up to this time he had re
manned perfectly calm, but his strength
now began to fail him, his eyes became
blood-shot, his hands and arms trembled
, deep, long-drawn signs were heaved, his
, whole body shook, aid it was very evil
dent that he fully realized his terrible
f situation. Before the cap was drawn over
his eyes, he took leave of all the officers
. with whom he had been connected du-
ring his long term of confinement. shak-
ing each by the hand and saying " good
bye"
: All preliminaries having been ar