The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-03-13
Saturday Morning, March lS, 1869.
A HORRIBLE SCENE,
He Is Literally Strassgted.

Especial Dispatch by International Lne'l
THoMAsros. March 1.-THE execution Of
Harris is over. Since his confinement he has
lost some flesh, and appears to have suffered
mentally. Last night he walked his cell for
an hour and hall. after the usual hour for re-
firing when he proceeded to prepare his bed
in very careful manner as though he intend
ed to pass comfortable night. He previously
told the watchman that he realized the fate to
which he was doomed, and remarked that if it
had net been for VsrriIl he never would have
been here. In the confession which he has
left behind him, he gives q brief history of his
short career. az he recollects it, and then de-
tails the manner in which the murder was
committed, which is substantially the same as
he testified to on the stand at the trial
This morning he was carried some beef steak
and bread, for which he appeared very thank
full and of which he ate sparingly. At eleven
O'Clock the prison bell sounded, and the pris-
oners were conducted to their cells and then
confined to await the execution. Meanwhile
the clothes, consisting of white cotton shirt
and drawers of the same material, blue stock
ings, and shoes, were being put on to Harris in
the cell. 1t was at this time he appeared to
realize in a greater degree than ever before the
awful fate that awaited him. At quarter of IL
Harris was taken out by High Sheriff Grose,
accompanied by four deputies and the prison
officers, and marched to the scaffold. He walk
ed without assistance, with firm and measur-
ed step all the way to the scaffold, which was
fifty rods from the prison, being down behind
the carriage shop on the south side. Harris
marched up the steps with frmnsss and took
his position on the gallows. After his arms
and legs were fastened, Rev. Mr.. Mason read
selections from the scriptures. A prayer by
Rev. Mr.. Emery, to which the condemned lis
tened closely, followed. He was asked by Mr..
Mason If the statement he had made purport-
ing to be q confession were true, and he replied
that it was.
Sheriff Crosse then asked him if he had any
thing to say. Harris replied that he had moth
ing only to affirm that Vsrrill was guilty, and
that he (Harris) bore no i'll will against any
one. The cap was then drawn over Harris
face, and at precisely twelve the spring was
touched and the unfortunate man was dang
ling in mid air, writhing in the most agenizing
manner. 1t was sight that we bops never te
witness again, Fortwo minutes this barbar-
GUS spectacle lasted, causing those who were
spectators to shudder and revolt at the scene.
His neck was not broken and he was strangled
to death. After hanging three minutes his
pulse beat at forty, and in Eve minutes there
was only faint beat. He hung twenty five
minutes before he was taken down. He was
then placed in pine coffin with bunch Of
shavings for pillow, and tomorrow will be
buried in the prison burial ground.
SPECTAToR.
tie Associated Press
CHANGE IN THE SYSTEM OF COMMON SCHOOLS
AUGUSTA, March 12.-Our common school
system was entirely changed by the Legisla-
ture to-day. A bill was passed retaining the
State superintendent and creating county su,
county institutes for better instruction. TWEEN
ty thousand dollars were appropriated to carry
out tbs act.