The daily gazette., 1874-11-13
THE EXECUTION.
UNDERTOOK HANGED.
SCENE ON THE scAFroLp.

SCENE ON THE scAFFoLD.
WEST CHESTER, PA, Nov. 12.-During
the whole of the -uorning the prisoner
has been in close conversation with Revs.
Evans, Best and Harris, his spiritual di-
rectors. He appeared calm and ready
for his fate, and for some time insisted
on making q speech from thcscanold. AT
half-past ten o'clock the reporters and
deputies were admitted together with the
jurors, who tried the case, and the doc
tors. Joseph Perdue, Esq, Udderzooks
counsel, had q brief interview with him
at ten o'clock.
Undertook then engaged in his devo-
tions and told Mr.. Perdue he would sse
him as he came down stairs on his way to
the scaffold. He was apparently resign
ed to die and manifested no emotion
whatever. Mr.. Perdue declined giving
him any advice about speaking from the
gallows, thinking his words cannot now
do him hurt or benefit.
At eleven o'clock Sheriff Gill entered
the prisoners cell and told him to be
ready for execution between alf-past
eleven and twelve o'clock. The priso-
ner nodded his head assentingly, but
make no reply. He then turned his head
aside, as If further conversation on the
subject was undesirable.
Between the hours announced the
Sheriff again entered and informed I'd.
derzook that he would now have to lead
him te.ow. He postponed pinioning the
prisoner until the scaffold was reached.
The procession from the cell to the PRISON
ward was very small, consisting only OF
the prisoner, who walked in front accom-,
panied on either ide by Rev. Evans and
Sheriff Gill, and followed by Revs. Best
and Harris. -,
Prior to his removal it should be men,
| toned Major Mcfarland, deputy sheriff,
read the death warrant, received by
Sheriff Gill on tho 14th OF October, and
then the deputies were sworn in, and
took their places in the yard. :,
At tseveu minutes past twelve O'Clock
precisely the little cortege passed through
the passage door into where the deputies
l were assembled, and the prisoner for the
! first time beheld the terrible instrument
of death, which he surveyed with the ut
most coolness, and did not falter thu
slightest in his stepsas, with firm, stead.
tread, he approached the beam and as
cended the fatal platform.
Arranged around the yard wero tn
l. favored few who held passes. Udderzool
! was dressed in suit Of black clothes
d and patent leather slippers, and wore
D. white shirt with jet studs. On the lei
lapel of his coat he wore large boque
of flowers.
After sitting for moment on broke
chair on the platform the prisoner an
. clergymen kneeled, and Rev. M. Bes
made prayer of three minutes duration
on At its close the group on the scaffol
NJ NJ stood up and Undertook held converst
ton in u low tone with the three clerg,
men and sheriff.
The deputy-she<if stood on the sea
fold steps, and while the conyersatio
| alo to nf how,
surrounding house tops sounded wit
terrible distinction on the ears of all a
- sembled.
!. The boys were hidden from view by Il
), boarding, but their close proximity outsit
was apparent. Without delay the sher
then pinoined the prisoners arms and kne
and hands. The man whose end was no
3, near, seemed the least unconceTncd
u every bod y casting his eyes nrst over q
,.. crow d, he next lifted them TO heaven al
tly made short prayer, the end OF which VI
II look to Jesus he will save me, and all
hnve to SAY s that | am sinneI,i saved
: grace o. 4 copied of God"
- These we're his last words, and when
had shaken hands with the clergymen, she
IA: II and d putty the rope was pulled and wi
lid = loud lurch the heavy body OF the co
sr, uo .,,nned man was dangling from the rope.
NV his Was at twenty minutes ptst twel'
i r,r the first three minutes tn ere was no m
- iiUn except a slight forward movement
the legs, but two minutes later the che
heaved and the shoulders and back we
raised convulsively as If the convict we
> struggling for breath.
O3 Dr. Jas, II. Wood now began feeling t
pulse which was going rapidly. At IL
pis pulse had ceased to beat, and cold CT
hse swinging at the end OF the rope was
that remained of the famous criminal U
of derzook.
son After hanging the customary time
ces. body was cut down, and removed to
Hicksite Friends Cemetry near this pli
for interment. About seventy people In
witnessed the execution, and outside
Jail In the street were assembled some *
or five hundred village gossippers: