The Republican journal., 1869-03-18
THE EXECUTION OF HARRIS.
PREPARATIONS IN THE PRISON YAEl


with the gloom Of the proceedings at the State
Prison. For two days previously the prepare
ton for the event had been going forward
The gallows, q massive and grim looking
structure, had been taken from its storehouse
and set up in a retired part Of the Prison yard
In the excavation made in taking out lime rock
It was the same used by the United States au
thorities, at Auburn, in executing the high-seas
murdcrers, Cox and Williams, and also in hang
ing Spencer in 1864 for the murder of Wardet
Tinker The platform, about twelve fee
square, was raised about ten feet from the
, ground, rallied around, and supporting q cross
beam. The drop was built up, like the hatch.
way of snip, the trap-door fastened by al
iron latch, which could be released BY pressing
a spring fixed in the platform. The rope used
was new Manila, three-f oWrths inch in diane
ter. 1t had been tested by tackles in rigging
loft, and had running moose at the end 1t
was arranged to give fall OF eight feet to the
body. During these preparations the convcts
were much excited and ayailed themselves OF
every opportunity to view the sallows.
APPEARANCE AND BEHAVIOR OF HARRIS.
The condemned was 81 years old, five feet
four inches high, and weighed only l20 pounds,
but was uncommonly muscular for his weight.
He was not a full blooded negro, being per-
haps one-quarter white. His conduct during
his confinement was stated by Warden Rice, to
be all that could be desired, He spent much
of his time in reading the Bible, and had fire.
quent conferences on religious subjects with
the chaplain and other clergymen.
\ HIS LAST CONFESSION.
On Wednesday, he made confession to Rev.
Mr. Mason, detailing all the circumstances of
the murders, and stating that Verril was with
he persisted in to the last moment on the gal
lows.
HIS LAST HOURS.
| On Thursday night the condemned man slept
well. The night Waterman frequently visited
his cell, and always found him quiet, and APP
parently in deep sleep. In the morning break
fast of some unusual delicacies was sent to him.
from the Wardens table, Of which he ate heart
ily The chaplain was two hours in the cell
during the forenoon.
ASSEMBLING OF WITNESSES.
Between ten and eleven, the visitors who
were to witness the execution arrived and were
admitted to the guard room The room is of
glass and iron gratings on three Sides COM
mauding views Of the ranges of cells and the
yard. The racks ofarms are here in readiness,
and two men armed with rifles guard the doors
! opening to the street and to the yard. These
doors are never opened without scrutiny of
the applicant by the guard rifle in hand. By
the law, the number of witnesses of executions
is limited to twelve, with surgeons, clergymen.
and representatives of the press. The door
was besciged by crowds unable to gain admit
lance. Some of these climbed to roofs over
looking the yard, and even to the ross-trecs
of liberty pole near the wall.
THE PRISONERS LOCKED UP.
The excitement among the prisoners led to
their being locked up as 4 precautionary meas
ure against possible outbreak. The bell for
dinner rang at II o'clock, one hour earlier than
usual The prisoners fled into their cells,
each one taking his allowance as he passed the
kitchen. When all were in, the doors Of the
cells were locked.
THE MARCH 10 TIE GALLOWs.
The hour des snated for the execution was
between eleven and twelve. At hall past
Sheriff Grose, went to the cell. The Sheriff
was accompanied by Deputies Brown, Carkir
and Torrey. The Warden then took leave OF
Harris, and formally delivered him into the
custody of the Sheriff The sad procession
then moved along the gallery, down the stairs
and out into the yard. The Sheriff and his
deputies and the Deputy Warden, who sur
rounded the prisoner were ali large men, anG
contrasted strangely with the diminutive Grim
inal, who was dressed In . white snt. A
sleigh was provided to take Harris to the
gallows, some forty rods, but he said he would
walk, and proceeded with firm step. The
clergyman repeated by the way. comforting
passages of Scripture, At the foot of the steps
lay the coffin. The prisoner glanced at it in
passing, went up the stairs without hinchiug
and took his place on the drop.
/ THE LAST ACT IN THE TRAGEDY.
The spectators took their places around the
gallows, and some assembled to the platform
Harris took off his cap, handed it to an officer
and stood with his eyes fixed on the far off hor-
lion, passing his hands few times over his
face, in quick and nervous manner The Of
ticers commenced to bind with rope his legs
and arms. 1t was then that the full horror OF
the scene manifested itself to the spectators
Despite his heavy crime, human sympathy went
out to the being whose time on earth was sc
short and who stood trembling on the verge Of
eternity, his eyes looking their last on the blue
sky, and bright sunshine. But there arose the
thought Of the cold pale faces of the dea(
women in that lone house at Auburn, frozen tc
the floor in their blood, and before the white
wings of the angel Of mercy cleaned the sworc
of the angel Of retribution.
When the pinioning of the prisoner was com
plete, Rev. Mr.. Mason, by previous request O.
Harris, read the 5lst Psalm, in an impressive
manner. Rev. Mr.. Emery then began prayer
SO much time had been consumed that the linn.
it fixed for the execution was fearfully near
Sheriff Grose stood, watch in hand his stall
wart form relieved against the sky, resolved
to do his duty with a will apparently as I'M
yielding as iron. At length, when but five
minutes remained, he was compelled to sign
fly that he could allow no further time for pray
err. The Sheriff asked the prisoner If he hat