The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-04-20
La 20 1870

grave, but Somebody telegraphed to
Mr.. Lincoln y his behalf, and Abraham
pardoned him.
Carr was e,orougl,lyT hardened-he
could not sl,eG1 a tear. His head was
small, his features brutal, especially
his mouth, which was large, coarse and
brutal. His fyss were large, Guild. and
cleaning; III Was about the mefium
height, well Ut frame and muscular.
His movemeSs, were quick and agile
as a cat's. its had no intellect, but
possessed GINNING and quickness
which nothing conldsbaffle. In Jail lie
manifes ed the most ungovernable
temper and the most reckless DISPOSE
ton. He swore like pirate at the
veriest trifles and called down impre-
cations with cordial relish. He told
the Sheriff that the wanted to he hung
early in the morning, SO as to get into
hell in time for an early breakfast
yet when ministers of the gospel spoke
to him ab0nt his future and urged him
to pray for the salvation of his soul,
he expressed peni.ence and groaned
with unaffected contrition. AS soon
as they were gone he would change in
manner and curse and swear the same
as ever. visited him in Jail yester-
day afternoon. He was unconcarned,
yet said his fate was just, and that the
deserved it long ago. A venerable
Quaker visited him during my stay
and advised and prayed with him
During the prayer Carr expectorated
tobacco juice and chewed tobacco more
freely; but that was all. After prayer
he assured the Quaker that he was
happy, perfectly happy, ard would go
to Heaven when he died. The Quaker
wept and tremblea with emotion, but
Carr was unmovcd. In accordance
with the laws OF Ohio the execution
was private, and while the scaffold
was being built, Carr could see the
work from his cell door. A descrip-
ton of the implement of death was
prepared in his cell by reporter, and
before the old Quaker had fairly turned
his back Carr insisted Cd hearing it
read, and coolly NODDED his head when
it was done.
/ ia IN g..
thoughts to scan the workings of his
mind, and thus account accurately for
his actions; but never, certainly, in
the course of any Ohio criminals career
is there u parallel for Carr's connuct
and bearing in his last hours. While
keenly alive to everything going on
around him; while moving about di-
rected by strong angnine-nervous
temperament. and changing bis atten-
ten from the most solemn exhorta-
tons by his spiritual advisers to talk
with a friend about what he desired
should he said of him after death, he
never showed the slightest emotion.-
He saw" sympathetic women weep, and
| felt their hot farewell tears drip upon
his hard, cold hand, but his stoney
eyes never melted once.
| Carr's cell was ia the second story
of the jail, ard the low ceiling necessi-
tated the cutting of hole through the
floor of the gallery OF passage outside
for the trap. This hole was three feet
and half square. A transverse beam
rested on uprights six feet above the
trap which was a simple double door,
opening in the middle, and held in
place By bolt easily withdrawn by !,
Lever, to be acted upon by the Sheriff
foot. The rope was fastened to the
transverse beam and was provided
with the traditional hangman's knot,
soaped and rubbed to make it run
smooth.
] Carr was pinioned in his cell a,
twelve o'clock, and was brought fortl
in white shrond, which completely
enveloped him. The rope hung arounf
his neck. He walked firmly and tool
his stand upon tie droop. He joined
heartily in singing and prayer, ani
called alond to Heaven for mercy
; When prayer was over he requested
the singing Of another hymn, in whicl
!. he also joined. After this he knel
down upon the trap again and praye,
+ aloud for mercy, confessiDg his sin
and hoping that his fate would be
warning to all. He then distribute,
copies of his confession, and rings t,
his friends, assuring them that TIL
former was true as he was dying man
He warned parents not to whip thei
children, but to advise them ,.as hi
fathers cruelty to him drove him t
! the bad. He thanked the Sheriff an
| gave him ring, and babe the specta
l tors to avoid drink, which brougll
: him to the gallows.
Through all this Carr manifested n
b fears and no emotion. He stood fifI
a to the last. and when the white ca
!, was drawn over his face he appeare
d to be the most unmOved being in til