The New York herald., 1869-01-01

u
sherln, take down In writing his testimony. also
told him that while he rested Christ alone for sal
yaton he should die in love ana charity with allde
forgying those whom he might regard as tressnass-
| ing against him. He said he did so feel.
suNpAy, 27th inst-'fhis afternoon, in company
with tue Rev. Mr.. Kennedy, visited Jones again.
the Walt was very satisfactory: his two boys were
presenone IN his eighteenth year, the other In his
Their father talked largely TO them In counsel on
christian life, pointing ont the sins he wished them
| 70 guard against, and begged them to be kind and
uutnul 10 tneir mother and the children; to shun
bad company, cards and friyofy and especially to
never indulge In the protane use OF the name OF
expressed 10 us full confidence as to his salvation
through the blood Of Christ, telling US he had rest
now HE SPENT YESTERDAY.
Ine Kew. Messrs. Elliot and Briggs OF the Wes-
leyan Methodist Church, visited the prisoner yester-
| day and offered up PRAYER with him. ana singing a
couple OF hymns, In which the prisoner Joined and
seemed to feel II the mnistraons OF the reverend
gent emen mad really made an impression ON his
| hardened soul.
HIS LAST HOURS
III was asserted this morning that when some cler-
| gymen visited him last night he turned upon them
nerceiy and said he did not want them and thar
after heapno threats and abuse upon them he retired
10 his cell ana avowed hrs determination not e.
leave there except by force. Mr.. Oates, Mr. Row
land and others assert that there il little II any
one tme about nine O'Clock. he showed sgus
OF nritabity. and expressed desire TO be left
alone. and that he retired to his cell. IN a snort
time he came out and the remainder or the night he
passed in restless, though quiet manner. walking
his cell back and forth and occasionally lying down.
on sunday he remarked thst he felt happier Ia his
mind. though last night his mind scanned little
cloudy. He called from his cell 10 the indian Dan
who has watched him all along to come and sing
with him. Dan went and they sang together the
hymn, tDear dying lamb, thy precious hlooi.r At
intervals during the night he sang OF his own ac-
cord, and while alone, several hymns such as
"Gome, ye souls, by Hm aflcted.r .slust az am,
without one plea" Itere suffer grief and PAM
There Is happy land' and There IA a land Of
pure delighi.r
He made inquiries OF Mr. Oates regarding the dispo-
sal or his body, expressing great repngnance at the
thought OF being buried In the Jail yard He
sured that his body wou'd be properly and decenty
Inferred lie earnestly desired that his love should
be conveyed to his wife, and requested that steps
might be taken for the liberation Of his boys In
custody, and begged that those present would pay
some attention to their spiritual wants.
THE EXECUTION
The execution OF Jones took place here this morn.
Ing III the presence OF large concourse OF people
There were nearly 1000 persons present a great
portion OF whom were country people, some OF whom
had driven many miles 70 witness tie execution.
The crowd was very orderly. There were few wo-
men present. After the usual prelininaries in the
Jail the procession was formed the Sheriff being
moved from the cell towards the gaows. the prs
oner being safely guarded by the Chief OF Police the
OF the stairs sight delay occurred Jones pausng
for the purpose Of taking leave OF the jail officials.
He shook hands with them and others, saving few
words OF parting IN tremulous tone OF voice. The
| procession then moved on again, passing into the
vestoule Of the Court House, thence up the stairs
and on into the room In the southern wing leading
to where the scafiold stood. The melancholy pro-
cesson moved slowly and In silence, Jones being
ta % q o hSse psa wor h IL low % pe
! the room III the southern wing another daiay
took place when the hangran Tor the rst time an,
peared upon the scene. He was dreadful looking
character his features being masked and further dis.
gaised with large flowing white beard falling down
on his breast His form was enveloped in huge
black cloak. The disguise was most complete and
was weird and terrible. In fact the aspect OF this
dread oiEciaI was simply horrible. and never was
hangman more fearfnlly dressed He appeared sud.
denly on the scene. and shndder ran through the
culprit,s frame as his eyes fell on the fearful appar
ton. He at once. confronted Jones ana proceeded
with the first part OF his horrible duty, by placing
The rope around his neck. s-s
THE GALLQws
The galows were built at one OF the corners OF the
Court House, the platform being about eight feet
square ana abont fifteen feet from the ground. one
Of the windows Of the Court House being used az an
entrance to the unsghtly structure. strongly
bnllt with the the % usual cross beam 70 which was at.
which the ominous rope daugled
ON THE DROP.
These dreadful prelimnarics being settled, the
Sheriff passed through the window and out upon
the scsiiold. which was immediately IN front, aud
before which, gazing upward intenty at H. was the
toner, accompanied by the culprit, and after them
came the clergymen and others who had been In at
tendance upon him throughout the previous night
and morning and who have all along been most at
tentive TO him. The clergymen especially, did all
In their power to bring him to realization OF his
awful position by constant PRAYER and eatreaty.
There was also present an Indian, whose special
duty it has been to watch Jones night and day since
u
there on the rallows al his own request, coupled
with the request OF Jones, who seemed, In
liking for the red man. probably because he
for several days and nights has been bis constant
ana ar or M was & now ame
when the unhappy man should die. The rope was
secured to hook In the beam above and the doomed
man was placed on the ira while the terrible look
Ing executioner-tnat demon OF death which he ap-
peared so Ike, and SO closely representations his
| place at his side. Mr.. Oates then addressed q few
Mr.
savage engaged ia prayer with the culprit. impor-
ing God to pardon and save for Jesus Christs sake
the poor soul that about TO be ushercd into His
presence. The prayer was most earnest appeal for
mercy, bit whether Jones joined in II not or felt
the force OF the words that were being uttered so
earnestly in his behalf, could not be told from his
! appearance. His head was bowed down and his
face not visible. On the conclusion OF the prayers he
| arose and proceeded IN O loud tone and excited
| manner to address the multitude The following
| are
MS Dying WORDS.
"a wish 20 say that | am Thomas Jones and
| never dld-good bad nor indiGercnt-say one word
TO Elizabeth to cause the death Of Mary. And say
that II was taree hours after Il was done before
knew about IL. Goodby TO We all. brothers and
sisters. Don't think the worse OF me because am
1 mere. The grace OF our Lord Jesus Christ abide
with you all, and hope TO meet you all In heaven.
have no guilt to confess TO feel repentan for
| llay the Lord have mercy on me now never did
| that deedr
The ministers the sheriff and others on the plat
form then babe him farewell one by He shook
| hands with each OF them warmly but TREMENDOUSLY
and they then retired from the platform TO q room
looking out upon the scairod. The Indlan about
the last 30 say goodby, and as Jones shook hands
with him he said '.Goodby TO you Dan: forgive ALL
God bless sou, for Jesus Christs sake" Tie Indian
said farewell affectionaely and kindly and then
tired mournfuy after the others, leaving Jones
| alone on the gallows with the dreadful executioner
who Immediately proceeded with his terrible duties
He placed the victim on the drop and proceeded TO
adjust everything. While he was thus engaged the
unhappy culprit continued TO pray aloud IN short
sentences, calling God for mercy. His ejacula
tions uttered repeatedly and with great fervor
| In this way he went on while the hanRman ar.
ranging everything:-"Now may the love OF God be
| with me and console mel God have mercy on my
soul God have mercy on my soull Jesus have
mercy on new These sentences he repeated over
and over again. sometimes calling God for mercy
and sometimes imploring the Saviour to help and
comfort him. As the white cap was drawn over his
face and his eyes looked for the last time upon the
world. his lips were seen to move ana ut again
and again the Of GOD and Jesus Christ PrODa
bly, he died with those prayers on his lips.