The New York herald., 1874-08-08

Colonel Peters, win the full drum corps Of the
regiment The presence Of the uniformed m.ius ~
the federal troops during the war. They took the
town BY surprise. and terrined the citizen Euarus'
Sas ss SS S
vlded for at the county expense.
rHR ooNDENNBD BOT
for those who have known him longest, say ne ID
only sixteen years old, mafnta aimed suilen sance
up TO the last minute, answering questions IN
He had no message for his father or mis- mother.
Last night the Methodist clergyman spent some
time with HIM. leading the devotional exercises
and the prisoner slept soundly tall awakened this
morning. He ate . hearty breakfas. OF bacon,
biscuit and coffee furnished bv the Sherns vile.
and gave him the sacraments OF the Methodist
Church. Long and fervent prayers Tor the HAPPY
oeoreo OI ems Soy mad o the
conduct Of the lad when he roamed about Iaioos
county.
The religious exercises over, the Sheriff. in fal-
tering voice, told young Smith that the hour was
near at hand when he must die. The lad heard the
awful announcement he heard the verdict or
the Jury composedly and unconcerned. There he
Stood readily yielding his arms to Oe plnioned.
In this attitude his face was study insre was
His complexion was that OF an INDIAN with large,
lustrous black eyes, and an absence OF the animal
cast Not word was spoken by him, nor od ne
seem to realize tne fearful death ne was ABOUT
to suffer.
q mass OF humanity, carriages and wagons pouring
In by the hundred. preceding an army OF civlilans,
OF all ages and color. The shell roads yielded
dusty coat OF white 70 man and beast, VINO CEN
tired about the Court House, forming caravan
wonderful to behold. The jail door was the centre
OF attraction.
FROM nHR JAIL TO THE sCAFroLD.
At eleven O'Clock the National GUARDS, COM
posed OF the Easton Zouaves formed IN line In
front of the Jail. The prisoner stepped nervously
on to platform wagon, where he was seated on
stool, supported by a colOred man on either side.
Slowly the procession moved to the ScanOld,
to the music oil muhled drums. Inc Ooy looked
at the brilliant uniforms OF the militia his eyes
beaming with wonder as the gltStening bayonets
passed before him. What did II oil mean Flank
ing the armed guard was the multitude OF ctti-
gens. The regimental colors were iurled as the
doomed boy neared tho galIows, erected about
large open field. About this the military, with
fixed bayonets, formed hollow square, the cltt
zen guards controlling the line OF the spectators.
The scafold was well up IN the world, quilt la
Maryland, 80 that the assemblage OF 5000 had Q
complete view Of the scene.
THE TRAGEDY.
the boy was assisted up the steps BY the Rev.
Mr.. Newman. and Immediately took his place on
the drop the rope dangling over ms heaa aaa
been sung, prayer was offered, and the
condemned was left to the Sherir, who
speedily adjusted the moose. When asked II ne
had nythlng to say be answered, "No," but that
then drawn over the body, the legs pinioned and
the cap placed on his head. The Sheriff descended
q Jew steps, cut the rope and at twelve O'Clock
Ernest Smith was hts own Involuntary execu-
toner. The fall was tour leet and vas sufficient
to break the neck.
For some time nervous commissions followed.
After hanging twenty minutes the body was taken
down, placed In pine comm ana removed to Pot
ter's Field. The crowd returned to town and lin
law was strictly in force there was no roting nor
lighting.