The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1874-08-28

lis hppearance was III NeeplnE WIN MI
the terrible parsphernalia around bim,
ahd of the two, the gallows was the more
agreeable spectacle,
At o:iS the appearance of the sheriff
OF the Jail door was tho signal that the
condemned men were being led to eAecu.
tion. Tho low chatter among the crowd
ceasod, and all gesed broathles'y at the
point OF exit. Soon tho sheriff led tho
way up The steps of the schDOld, and
JOHN ROSS
followed close behind him, walking with
a firm and determined gait, but with NJ
appearance whatever OF bravado. Tho
bangman and priest brought up the pro-
cession, and the former having adjusted
the ropo around his neck, retired for the
next vic;im2 Ross was perfectly cool
and collected, aud making u slight inclina-
ton Of his hend to the throbbing multi
tudo, said with loud voice, GLOW dye
do to-day. my frionds, one and all A
low exclamation OF surprise, and even re-
lief ran through the crowd, and there was
no. heart in that immense concourse
that did not fool immeasureably relieved
at this exhibition OF courage on the part
of the unfortunate man.
JAS WILLIAMS
next assembled the trap, his bearing cree.
aud dauntless, and walking with nn easy
aud nrm steT TO the place assigned him,
which WAS next TO Ross. His frat words
were, as the hangman Yves adjusting tho
nooso round his neck, "Behold the army
of Code" and then no stood firmly on the
platform, and oven smiled and bowed as
he recognized some ncquaintsnces In the
asson,bfv Naxt CANA
JAMES ROBERTSON.
He ascondod with HIS wooden leg without
assistance, and took the middle place on
the trap without speaking or changing his
TACO from one monotonous look OF intense
misery and aeute mental suffering. But
he stood straight IN his place and seemed
tho mos. utterly forlon OF tho unhappy
quintette, with no friends TO recognize,
and seemingly conscious Of but few sym
pa,hizers In the crowd
ANDERSON PERRY
next took his pace beside Robertson,
dauntless as tho rest, and smiling as the
hangman performed his preliminary func.
tions:
ANTOINE MAUKlCE
wound up the procession, and stepped on
the platform with very reluctant gait,
while his head rested dispiritedly on one
side. The hangman put the moose round
his neck, and during tho process Maurice
viewed him with looks expressive Of tho
deepest contempt for his unpopular Office.
Ihey were all dressed in clean linen
shirts and light pants, with gloves and
white seeks. Their arms ware, as usual
Tied behind their backs.
All tho men having been placed in posi-.
tion the hangman retired and the priest,
with stole on, recited prayers aloud, and
was accompanied by the men. Sheriff
Ueluin next rode up near the scafold be-
tween two deputies, and read their several
death warrants In loud voice. This hay.
ins concluded, he asked tho fret man
John Ross, if he had anything to say.
Ross spoke very calmly and deliberately
for short time, neither denying or admit.
ting his participation IN tho murder OF
Eastwood, but stating that he was willing
and ready to die, and fully prepared TO
meet his God. In ringing and unfalter
| ing voice no pointed to himself as an ex
ample ofthe end that must inevitably on
sue from u inisspent life, and eYhortsd
people to remember this fearful warning.
james Williams addressed the people a,
the top of his voice, aud asserted sinno-
cenco of Ito crime for which he was sbou,
! to suffer, but declared he was willing and
ready to die. Ho was going, he said, to
| where there were no more ials moi
judges, nor any juries 20 dofrsud man oil
his life. lilo concluded IN the usual way,
about going to glory, and meeting his
| lriondS. This speech was delivered in sc
! imprisoned u manner that bis face Be
came fuilused with blood, and HIS eyes
were almost starting from their sockets
| In u regular paroxysm, he would JUMP
and darce on the platform, while the rop,
| dangled around his mock, and with hi,
last words he went oil in a swoon which
Terminated not till be swung from the
| platform. His excited and hysteric man
ner struck terror in tho hearts of the be-
holders, and whom faintncss finally over
came him, twas feared by tho crowd a
first that he had burst blood vessel. A
chair was placed for him on the platform
and BIZ. face and head bathed with water
but all efforts at rest ration were unsvail
ing. He remained in that condition til
he died.
Robertson next spoke, but his voic,
was low and husky and it was impossible
to catch all the words. lie alluded I,
his gold mine, but didn't locate it, and
said that he had offered to show 1t to Ii,
governor, but not as hope of pardon.
Perry commenced by saying "You'l
know me, all, whom VIC meet in heaven
God is my captain, and he promised e
take me over. Jesus was persecuted anC
can bear persecution myself, and he will
take me to glory" He concluded by ask
ing his mother, who WAS weeping in the
crowd, 70 raise his child in a God-fearing
way, and proclAiming his Willingness to
die. lie, too, denied his guilt, though
his confession of completely has been filed
in the governors Office for some tint
back.
Finally came Maurice, who spoke In
the same strain as Perry. He denied his
guilt. alIo, and alluded to the persecution
of men as such that cannot affect the soul
He was not scared OF dying, he SAID he
grieved only tor tho way he died. In .
faltering voice he cJpjurod the people &c
pray for him, and as he uttered his last
words he burst into tears.
A hnal effort WIS then made to revive
| Williams, but 1t was unsuccessful. The
priest was busted In going from man &c
man and whispering ia their ears and
finally the scatiold was left to the hang
man alone and his victims.
at this point the spectators were
worked up to state of excitement which
because silent, was oppressive, and all eye,
wore fixed in steady horror on the ssfiold
The two side-beams supporting tho plat.
form were removed. and the hangman
descended to the ground. awaiting the sig
nal which was to transport five human
beings into eternity. In q moment the
sheriff gave is; the hangman approached
creuchingly, and, striking the wedge thu
| tran fell. and the 1--WE men dropped with