The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-11
on only to be replaced by other hundreds although
nothing could be seen or heard outside the walls.
CRAIG MORNING

on only to be replaced by other hundreds although
nothing could be seen or heard outside the walls.
CRAIG THIS MORNING
was very cheerful and apparently happy, nlled
with degree OF religious fervor which promised
to serve him wen through the trying ordeal His
ministers were with him from nine O'Clock and he
joined them In singing and praying frequently. He
viewed his scaflold from the window OF the CORR
dor, and remarked that he would soon bid all fare
well rom It, He said he had found the Lord and
had strength for the hour although 1t was hard to
come to this. RevsNice and Leech remained with
when Craig arose, walked into his cell for his hat,
which he placed upon his head and announced him
sell as ready to proceed; At hall,past twelve the
colored ministers took him by the arm, one on
either side, and passed down stairs, where they
stopped, anu Craig babe
in cheerful tone to all, to the prisoners in the
lower corridor. They soon followed the Sheriff
INTO the yard, where the persons who had been
through the crowd he looked about and spoke to
several, and then assembled the steps OF the scat
braved up by some invisible power, and took seat
between the ministers. Prayer was offered by the
Key waters, IN which the prisoner joined heartily
After the prayer was concluded the Sheriff bound
the prisoners feet and arms with q rope. He main
tanned perfect composure. He then moved forward
on the drop, and, having shaken hands with Revs.
Waters and Lawson, saying
oo Gooa a. rienas Dent grsve after me- am
Then, turning to the assembly, he said -
'MY HOME is IN HEAVEN;
it Is better place than this. GO0dby Johnny!" to
join the church; you don't know how good thing
II is to feel the love Of God.o
T n. Ssn the % hts
,, Don't make n 80 tight, Sheriff; want to taik
and Craig then repeated aloud the twenty-third
Psalm.
He then said, "Goodby, gentlemen I hope to
meet You all in heaven Iwish you would all speak
TO me-"
Those assembled called ont "Goodby, williaml"
Several said ''GOd bless your
prisoner .-tsDh
weep after me. Weep Tor yourselves and your
children, and think on Him who reigns in heaven"
THR CULPRIT'S GRATITUDE.
rev. Mr. Lawson then read the following state
ment at the prisoners request :-"BeiOre l leave
his family and the officers OF the Jail for their uni
form kindness to me; also the ministers OF the
Gospel under whose instructions have been led
to Jesus l thank Revs. Holiday, Nice, Leech
and Colonel Johnson Tor their efforts to have
my sentence committed from death to mprison-
ment. entertain no unkind feeling toward any
person. die at peace with God and all mankind.h
The Sheriff then asked Craig II he wished TO con-
less the crime, as he only had minute longer to
a Craig responded by saying, II have said ali
The cap was drawn over his face, the Sheriff and
Deputy Sheriff bade him goodby and the Sheriff
turned to walk down the steps.
t. Graig SAID, ~ VIII never see you again the cap
is before my face / pray the Lord have mercy on
my soul, 'ere II
IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS MAKER.
The doomed man did not live to finish nle SEN
tence. When the Sheriff stepped upon the bot
tom step OF the scanold, In his descent, his
loot pressed upon the chisel, which severed
the rope that held the trap. quick drop
OF the body, dun thud, and the soul of william
Craig was In the presence of his Maker, at just
twelve minutes to one p. NJ The fall was three
feet four inches and death was instantaneous, the
neck having been broken. For two minutes alter
falling the body was mOt!Onless then came in slow
succession dozen slight, struggling cOntortions,
after which all was quiet again. The body was cut
down in just fifteen minutes from the time the
drop fell.
UPON REMOVING THE CAP
the face OF the dead convict was quite placid and
even pleasant In Its expression The eyes were
Closed the lips slightly parted, and no indication
OF struggle. The county physician and the Cor.
Oner were present. and the body was placed in
pain coffin and inferred on the Almshouse farm.
The outraged law has been indicated, a terrible
example has been made, and we trust society may
be benefited.
The community may congratulate itself that
Sheriff Gross conducted the execution privately
and gave no opportunity for the enactment of such
disgraceful scenes as characterized the execution
OF Howard two years since. may there never again
be public execution, and may all private ones he
as seemingly and humanely conducted as was that