St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1869-07-02
Execution of Miiier.

1867. Miller worked for Mr.. Gowing,
and the day previous to the murder he
had a quarrel with him about his wages.
A letter to the Springfield R9p"blicCm the
day of the execution gives these partlcu-
lars:
There were three guards with Miller last
night. He was very restless through the
night, and stood at the door Of his cell
talking with them most of the time un-
til 3 o'clock, when he dropped asleep for
an hour, but his sleep was not sound.
His remarks were mostly of an incoher-
ent 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, lie completely broke down. AT one
time he spoke of his little boy, and show
ed that he really longed TO see him once
more, but Immediately after he would ut
ter some coarse, vulg gar joke. lie said
hat he supposed there would be crowd
Of spectators to see him hung, and he
wished to have them promise not TO bite
him st the same time that they kissed
him GOOD bye. lie still persisted III his
innocence, and kept repeating that they
won't get anything out OF me AT
midnight he ate pie, and at : O'Clock
thi- morning he took hearty breakfast.
Al that time some aCqualntances from
Rich.ord, Vt, visited him, and We're
Gladly received by him, but soon lie
again commenced complaining. and spoke
wildly OF the set OF blcodhounds around
him, cndeavOrinc To steal his clothes, etc.
becoming entirely UNNAMED, he was left
alone, and soon dropped into 4 disturbed
sleep. Fears were entertained during the
forenoon that he would become insensi-
bic before the hour appointed for the eX-
ecutiun, 80 great was his distress Of mind
Early this morning carpenters went to
work preparing the gailows for execu-
ton. 1t stood at the lower end of the
prison hail. few feet from the prisoners
cell. The driving OF the nails and the
dull thud OF the drop could be heard
through tue building rs the workmen per
formed the different movements neceSsa-
rv to make sure that everything was in
perfect order. Doubtless this had some
thing to do with AIillcr's agitation, and
served rs Il warning to the two other
murlcrers, Plumley and Welcome, who
were confined in cells uear by. The
framework Of the galIows is II feet,
inches high the crop is four feet long,
and the platform seven feet long. The
victim drops D feet, leaving :, space of
! fee; between hIs toes and the floor
The same gallows was used for the cNc-
yu;iu.. Of Barnett and CIyana-n. Vi Bu.-
lin.ton. each of whom cut his wile'S
throat with a razor. and were hung at
the same minute on January 20, 1861.
John Ward, the murderer of Mrs. Girls
wold of Willi>ton, VT, was hung there
March 81, 1865.
Notwithstanding it was well known
that but few persons would be permitted
to witness the execution, there were
many strangers III town. and a. the hour
of TIE execution drew nigh, 4 crowd. at
trlc,cd by morbid curiosity, collected
about the prison. No sympathy WIS
expressed for Miller, public opinion be
i'm unanimous that his sentence WAS Just.
All persons without passes werr ordered
from the guard room, and al | O'Clock
the guards, officials, reporters and twenty
Witnesses were admitted. +. +. Gowau
and family. cousins OF the victim, were
present Ella. the daughter, expressed
"A de>ir. to attend, but could not. Miller.
escorted bv Deputies Am>lcn and Ken
dau. walked up the steps firmly. lie
wore :, black coat and vest, and light
pants, but 10 collar, and his bosom va
bare Chaplain Franklin Butler read Il
chapter Of scripture, CLOSING, I'VE shall
sand before the Judgment seat OF God -
II. .hen read !. prayer, and said In
tie name Of Tho Lord Jesus. | ASK, are
You innocent - Miller replied, Il am.
Sheriff Stim-on read the death order,
bound I.ler's hands, ana les, and ask
A., . il he had anything 10 say. Miller
-aId 4 have not, LU. Il there J. any
one present whom have ever injured. !
hope they will forgive IN. My hope,
are in God Almighty" y the >hcrii,
adjusted the black cap, Miller said Il
| wish - say one word. There ar men
knows it. God j. my strength. wish
/ V, u al! :. od-hyr. gcatiemeu." The shur-
I III said Tn" tim. Tor yo,.r execution
has come. May God nave mercy ca
your soul - and launched Miller into
eternity. The drop i'll al quarter past
! O'clock.