The union Democrat., 1871-10-21

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On Sunday evening, the Slst ult. says the
1nyo Mdepeadent Of the Eth inst. ali three of
the prisoners (Leander Morton, Moses Black
and the boy Rohertsl were placed in a light
| spring wagon, and. with strong gaard of
horsemen, started from Round Valley to Car
son. They proceeded without interruption TO
point not far below the store on Bishop Greek
know as ''the jews Here the escort and
prisoners were suddenly surrounded by a
large organized force of well-armed citizens.
After a moments quietness, the question rang
out .'Who is the captain of this guard =
'I am; turn 10 the left and 90 on Il re-
| fuse to do so, was the reply. At this june
ture. Morton, who sat with the driver, said /:
Give me the reins and II drive after them;
I'm pretty good driver myself" And he
did drive, and rapidly to his own funeral
| Roberts. who was lying in the wsgon, said !:
II don't want to go with these men," Find
ing it useless to resist, after a moments par
ley the train started across the bottom toward
a vacant horse mile or So away. On reach
ing it, the guard were ordered to stack their
arms. Black ard Roberts were carried into
the house. beth being wounded. Morton. af-
ter a careful survey of all present. got down
with but little assistance and went into the
house.
Lights were procured, a jury organized
consisting of all present, except the guard.
who had the prisoners in charge-xith reg
ularly appointed Secretary. Roberts was ia
ken INTO an adjoining room. where he gave
statement OF all he knew. from the first incep-
ton of the plan to break prison until his cap
tnre. This statement as well as those of
Black and Morton. we shall endeavor TO give
in our next; hut Mor,on's is substantially the
same as published last week. while the main
points of Roberts are given below. After
more than two hours spent in obtaining these
stories, every person present having the
privilege OF asking questions. an almost
unanimous decision was rendered that Rob-
erts should be given back to the guard, aud
the others Immediately hung
4 scaffnld was raised at the West end of
the house, one end of long beam resting on
the top of the chimney. while the other was
supported by three pieces of scantling resting
on the ground. couple Of ropes were pass
ed over the beam, a wagon driven under. and
two nooses lowered. Morton heard the pre-
paratcns going on, ard said 10 bis partner in
crime "Black. are You ready to die ~ The
answer was: "No; this is not the crowd to
hang u.s." "Yes it is" said Morton. don't
you hear them building the scaffold ?" Nor
ton was asked if he wouldn't stand near the
fire, when he replied at isn't worth while
warming now" He also said to Roberts,
meaning himself and Black ''We are to
swing, and | mean to have you hung with us
if can; | want company" Black was first
carried out and lifted into the wagon: he had
to be raised to his feet, but stood the rest of
the time without being supported. Morton
walked out; on turning the corner of the
house he calmly surveyed the arrangements,
paying close attention to the cross-beam and
ropes. He needed but little help to get into
the wagon, and Immediately commenced to
place the moose over his head, saying to the
person who stood by him "Take my coat
collar from under the rope-don't hang
man with his collar under the rope" lie
! then requested his hands to be made more fast,
as he might catch the rope above his head.
i Black spoke but once. asking for water, when
Morton inquired "What do you want with
water % They were then asked if they
| had anything to say, Morton answered.
mo" They were asked if they wished to
talk with minister, or have prayer offered
to which Morton replied that he had told the
minister what he had to say the day before
He said it wasn't well for man to be taken
off without some religious ceremony, and if
the minister would consent he would like to
have prayer offered. A minister took him
nv the hand. few words were spoken. and
Morton. who was facing the crowd, said 81
am prepared to meet my God.' but immed-
atelv added, 81 don't know that there is any
God" lie shook hands with man stand
| ing on the wagon.
| Black was shaken hands with. but said
nothing. short prayer was offered. only
broken once or twice by signs from Black,
and as the word Amen was pronounced,
the wagon moved away. Black, being a
large heavy man. died without struggle
Morton was snail, very small man. and as
if wishing to avoid suffering. sprang high as
the support moved from under him. and he
died without the movement of q muscle after
his weight rested upon the rope.
Thus terribly ended the career of crime Of
two of the murderous prison-breakers. and
never again shall their hands be stained with
the blood of their felow-man.
After short time Roberts was placed in
the wagon and driven around to see his late
comrades. As he looked upon them he was
reminded that he had been sent to prison for
the same crime that they were: that he had
made his bed with. them since breaking Jail.
His youth, and the absence of proof that he
had taken or sanctioned the taking Of life,