The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-04-13

Eaton's request, erected an altar in the cell
Previous to celebrating mass. Upon being
asked by Father O'Roly about the murder, he
said he had nothing to say, and that he never
fred the pistol. About seven o'clock Keepers
Cassidy and Peterson opened the cell door and
entered with the last breakfast which Eaton
was to eat. 1t consisted of couple of boiled
eggs, bread and butter and bowl Of coffee.
Upon being asked how he felt, he said, 81 feel
like eating a hearty breakfast" and this state.
mem was fully verified by his devouring oil
which was set before him.
soUL-HARRow1Na SPECTACLE.
A very affecting scene occurred at eight
o'clock, when his poor wife, his adopted
daughter, his brother-in-laT, and sisi er-in-law
visited him for the last time. The interview
did not last long, but all OF his relatives clung
to him in frantic manner, and sobbed bitter
should not try to unnerve him, but rather en-
deavor to cheer him up, so that he might be
| enabled to meet his doom as became an inno-
cent man and Christian. Two of his counsel,
Charles W. Brooke and John V. McDonough,
George H. Smith, Joshua G. Taggart, and John
| Nolan visited him. He spoke in the highest
terms of his counsel, especially Mr. Brooke,
and thanked all bis friends for the way in
which they had striven to help him. He then
bade the three latter gentlemen an afectionate
farewell, and they left the cell deeply deplor-
ing Eaton's position.
THE EXECUTION DELAYED.
Eaton's spiritual advisers were in his cell
alone all the morning, and did not leave him
until the fatnlmoment arrived. The execution
was long delayed so as to afford the doomed
man every possible chance OF getting re-
prieve. About eleven o'clock we looked in his
cell and he was smoking cigar. He shook
hands with US in cheerful manner, and did
not evince the slightest emotion.
sUsp sNsE.
During the morning each person inside tho
prison was going about in q dreadful state OF
suspense, Mt one time walking down the prison
yard and looking at the instrument OF death,
and then passing along the inside corridor and
gazing at Eaton's cell, but all the time express
ing great sympathy for the condemned, and
hoping that the reprieve would arrlve by noon.
Every time the bell at the prison gate rang
there was o general rush to the door, each
face bea ring with the hope that the ringer
was messenger of "glad tidings" to the
dying man; but at last o gentleman arrived
who informed Mr.. Brooke that it was now USE
less to hope for reprieve. Mr. Brooke lmme-
diately repaired to Eatons cell and informed
him bow matt rs stood and the lmposSblllty
OF respite arriving from Harrisburg.
During oil this time MIR. Brooke was in
fearful state OF excitement; his face was death
ly pale, and he was continually conyerslng
with the sheriff, with view, we supposed. OF
getting the time of the execution postponed as
late as was possible.
CALL OF THE ROLL.
Precisely at hslf-past twelve Sheriff Lyle
called the jury into the keepers Office and re.
quested his principal deputy. MIR: Smith, to
read the death. warrant. All the jurors ans
wering to their names, the reading OF the
death warrant was proceeded with.
DREAD SUMMONS.
The sheriff then announced the order IN
which the parties present were to proceed to
the scaffold. General Lyle, at twenty-five
minutes to ono o'clock, went to the cell OF
Eaton and informed him that the time had
repled ut is an unpleasant duty you have
to perform. but you must do your duty"
FROM THE CELL TO THE soAFFoLD.
The cell was then left bohind, and ut twenty
minutes to ono the condemned mau reached
the door OF the keepers Office, from which
place the procession started on the fatal jour-
noy. The sun, which had been shining all
the morning, was cnvclopcd in dark cloud,
which remained until the execution was over.
Directly the procession emerged from the
prison. That quiet walk to death, along the
srr'dor running from east to west Mt tho north
end OF the prison, was very solemn ana an
impressive one. Eaton walked firmly, and
did not exhibit any emotion. His face was I'M
naturally palo, which was the result OF his long
confinement. He kept kissing the cruclfx in
his hands, and repeating the responses aftor
llIs confessors during the whole of that walk,
ind no sound was heard save the thud OF the
walking multitude. At the end, and little to
the south of the passage, was the gallows upon
which Spring, Winnemore, Probst. and others
suffered the extreme penalty OF the law for
their bloody crimes. Father Barry ascended
the steps, followed by Eaton, who walked in
firm manner, Father O'Reily the sheriff, and
the carpenter who was employed to erect he
gallows. Eaton stood in the centre Of the plank.
Ills confessors on either side, Sheriff Lylo ut
tho TOD Of tho stops, and the carpenter behind.
Eaton's black hair was carefully arranged, but
the wind blew it from ono side OF his head to
the other. Ho was dressed in black cloth
sack coat. doublo-breasted velvot vest, snuff
colored trowsers, top boots, whito shirt and
collar, and black necktie. His white pocket
handke .chief was hanging half out of his coat
pocket.
SOLEMN SERVICE.
special service for the burial Of the dead,
according to the rites Of tho Catholic Church,
was then performed, the culprit repeating after
the priests. He then knelt down, raised his
eyes To heaven, occasionally kissing the crucl-
fix, and repea ted the Lords Prayer, aud made
other atonements. He then rose To his feet,
Pt@ooht1So,
clix for the last time in loud and earnest
manner, shook hands warmly with both of his
spiritual attendants, and bado them farewell
in very touching manner. after which they
LETT the scaffold. Sheriff Lvle then stepped
forward with Moroll, the carpenter. The for
mer put out his hand to Eaton, who looked
straight into his face and smiled.
The sheriff inquired if he wished to say any
thing before dying, whereupon he protested
his innocence again and again, aud said, as he
hoped to meet his Maker, he never fired shot
on that fatal night.
THE LAST MOMENTS.
Norell then hapdcuffcd Eaton, stood behind
him, and placed the moose around his neck.
Eaton moved his head, apparently Mortified
when tho ropo first touched him. For some
reason the rope was taken of, and the knot
fixed Just under the left ear. Eoton turued
his face upward, and then closed his eyes for
ever. The sheriff then drew from his pocket
tho whito cap, placed it over the head OF
Eaton, and hen descended from the scafold.
Morell followed, tho rope was brought across
the yard, tho end bong dropped into q cellar
close by, and at ten minutes to one o'clock the
unfortunate man was hung. After he dropped
he did not struggle once, indicating that he
died an easy death. For somo time there was
a contraction OF the body, which was only mus.
cular. Eaton died, as was anticipated i'll the
most heroic manner, not exhibiting any fear,
but at the same Llmo, unlike most of tho GRIM
inals he faced his God without displaying any
u lsecnly bray ado. Just before the bolt was
drawn, one of the observers drew back from
the scaffold, exclalmlng, "Thls is horrible
butchcry |"