Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-01-26

His appearance was cheerful Tor mo-
ment and then deeply emotional. At
eleven Mr.. Butler, the chaplain, was left
alone with him for the most part until he
was marched to the scaifold. The scatfold
was erected early this morning in the ac-
customed place within the prison walls,
and was the same one that was used at
the last three executions, Barney, Kava-
nagh and Ward. :,
At 1880 the prisoner came from his cell
and supported by his executioner. Sheriff
Simson of Windsor county, and his depu
tv. and accompanied by Mr.. Butler, Sher-
iff Drew and Mr.. Pollard, the keeper, he
walked to the gallows. He looked quite
pale but evinced a composure which might
be interpreted as evidence of Christian
resignation. When he reached the scat.
fold. scriptural selection was read and
prayer offered by Mr.. Butler. Then the
death warrant was read by Sheriff Sim.
son. and when asked if he had anything
TO saw, Welcome spoke with much falter.
ing and bitter anguish substantially as
follows:
SIT is hard for me to speak bat | want
to saw few words. This scene which is
now to be witnessed [ hope will carry its
true moral lesson to all who witness it.
trust that none here will be led to pursue
the unfortunate course which | have done
I would warn all boys and young men
against disooeying their parents, which
was the first step in my sad career. Low
associates and drinking followed, each
bringing to bear their baneful influences
1t is easier to resist the first temptation
than any that come afterwards. I have
confessed my crime to the world and
believe that God has mercifully forgiven
me. | can say no more"
Welcome then took his position on the
trap and the rope was adjusted about his
neck and his limbs tied. Then taking
adieu of those on the platform, he closed
his eyes and inclining his face upward he
offered up one of the most agoniZing pray
ers which could be made in human speech
Tears came to all eyes and many stout
hearts gave way to commissions of grief
At the close of his prayer and without
opening his eyes, he said, 81 am ready
The black cap was then drawn down over
his head, and with the words from the
executioner, "Henry Welcome, may the
Lord have mercy on your soul" the prls
oner was launched from time into eter-
nifty. He fell about six feet, and it is
thought the cords of his neck were brok'
en-. There was no struggling or anything
to evince the suffering of pain. His pulse
became feeble and intermittent in two OF
three and ceased to beat in ten minutes
His body was consigned to plain coffin
and inferred in the prison yard. The
medical profession asked for the body,
but it was emphatically refused them by
the directors. Welcomes family did not
care to have the remains sent home.
The execution was witnessed by about
fifty persons composed of officials chiefly
and two or three reporters. A less mum
Der of permits was granted than ever here
tofore ON such occasions. Hons. M. O
Rice of Benson, John W. Hartshorn OF
Lunenburgh and VIM. r. Shedd of New
bury, composing the board of State Prison
Directors, were present. To these gentle
men and also to Mr.. Pollard, the keeper
and Mr.. Lull, the warden, we make CRATE
full Acknowledgements for many cOurtesies
The arrangements were in every respect
complete, and the officers, in the discharge
of their painful duties, deserve credit for
their decorum and promptness.