Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-07-06
Execution of Hiram Miller.

account of the execution, which we
take from the correspondence of the
Springfield Republican, dated on the
day of the execution:
There were three guards with Nil,
Ter, last night. He was very restless
through the night, and stood at the
door of his cell talking with them
most of the time until three O'Clock,
when he dropped asleep for an hour,
but his sleep was not sound. His
remarks were mostly of an incoherent
nature, and he showed that mentally
he was but little removed from an
idiot. At first he was confident of
his ability to stand the fearful test,
but as he began to realize that he had
entered upon his last day, he CON-
pletely broke down. At one time he
spoke of his little boy, and showed |
that he really longed to see him once
more, but Immediately after he would
utter some coarse, vulgar joke. He
said that he supposed there would be
a crowd Of spectators to see him
hung, and he wished to have them
promise not to bite him at the same
time that they kissed him goodbye.
He still persisted in his innocence,
and kept repeating that they won't
get anything out of me-" At mid |
night he ate a pie, and at 7 o'clock
this morning he took hearty break
fast At that time some acquain
tances from Richford, visited him, aud
were gladly received by him, but soon
he again commenced complaining, and
spoke wildly of the set OF blood
hounds about him, endeavoring to
steal his clothes, etc. Becoming en-
tirely unnamed, he was left alone
and soon dropped into a disturbed
sleep. Fears were entertained dur
ing the forenoon that he would be-
come insensble heforG the hour ap-
pointed for the execution, so great
was his ulStTGSo Vi ulluu.
Early this morning carpenters wen.
to work preparing the gallows for the
aXecuti0H 1t stood at the lower eud
Of the prison hall, Il few feet.trom the
prisoners cell. The driving of the
nails and the dull thud OF The drop
could he heard through the building
as The w0rkmen performed the differ
ent movements necessary to make
sure that every thing was Ill perfect
order The work of the gaIlows is
| 4 feet t inches high; the drop is 4
feet long, and the platform 7 feet long.
The victim drops II feet, leaving a
space of l IL feet between his toes
and the floor The same gallow8
was used for the execution of Bar
nett and Cavanagh OF Burlington, each
of whom cut his wife's throat with a
: razor, and was hung at the same min
ute on January 20, 1864. John
: Ward, the murderer Of Mrs. Griswold
Of WiIIiston, was hung here, March
20, 1868.
Notwithstanding it was we'll known
that but few persons would be per-
mitted to witness the execution, there
: were many strangers in town, and as
the hour of the execution drew nigh,
a crowd, attracted by a morbid curl
osity, collected about the prison. No
sympathy was expressed for Miller,
public opinion being unanimous that
his sentence was just. Ali persons
without passes were ordered from the
: guard room, and at l o'clock the
guards, officials, reporters and twenty
l witnesses were admitted E. F.
Gowan and family, cousins of the vic
tim, were present. Ella, the daugh.
ter, expressed desire to attend, but
could not.
: Miller, escorted by Deputies Ans
den and Kendall, walked up the steps
: firmly. He wore a black coat and
e., vest, and light pants, but no collar
and his bosom was bare. Chaplain
! Franklin Butler read a passage OF
, Scripture, closing, ave shall stand
before the Judgment seat of God
: he then read prayer, and said: '1u
: the name of the Lord Jesus | ask, are
: you innocent?" Miller replied, a
! am"
! Sheriff Simpson read the death
order, bound MiIler's hands, arms
and legs, and asked if he had any
thing to say. Miller said: Il have
not, but If there is any present whom
= l have ever injured, hope they viii
! forgive me. My hopes are in Coo
Almighty" AS the sheriff adjusted
the black cap, Miller said Il wish tC
: say one word. There are men before
o me VINO have sworn to lies. Coo
= knows it. God is my strength.
i wish You all goodbye gentlemen.
The sheriff said: The time for voul
= execution has come May God have
mercy on your soul Y and launched
Miller into eternity. The drop fell
at quarter past | o'clock.
There was no struggle, or even quiv
Il er of the body. His pulse ceased
beating in eleven minutes. The BODY
was allowed to hang twenty-sever
minutes, when it was found that thu
s neck was completely dislocated. Drs
II Stiles and Clark of Windsor, Har
n rlngton Of Chester, Palmer of Ludlow
J and Tenney Of Hartford, were presen
e and examined the corpse. Th,
1t friends of the deceased took posses
sion of it and carried it to Richford
d Miller had a wife and child in Jaw
l. She had written several affectionat
IS letters to him, but never had visite,
} him. He was 33 years old, 5 fee
e SIX inches high, was stoutly built, ha,
}. blue eyes and dark brown hair.
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