The Van Buren press., 1874-03-17
THE EXECUTION.

~ AlaIhNN Illt, JOulooh Nohb', $AS 'N'
reporter entered the town the citizens
weie to he heard shooting off their guns,
cleaning them preparatory for The NOR
row. Armed men were seen on the sts.,
and the town wore an air OF considerable
excitement, while here and there could be
seen men talking together in subdued
tones. Guards were continually coming
in and reporting, and everything betok'
ed st let enforcement Of the law.
TIC sCATFoLp
was erected in the yard of the new court
house. 1t was slight and about seven and
a half feet from the ground, and now and
then small groups Of men were seen to
approach and eye it curiously. Wallace
was confined in the old Masonic hall, op.
poetic MeOonncIIe drug store.
Our reporter, on presenting letters OF
to Judge Withers, was cor
daily received and taken to Sheriff Swag'
ger,y's. The sheriff was found on sick
bed, but said he would give instructions
to the deputies in charge to facilitate the
reporters mission. While sitting by his
bedside, Mrs. Wallace,
THE MOTHER OF SID,
walked in, accompanied by Deputy Sher'
Kline, who had charge OF the execution.
She was accompanied by three ladies one
OF whom was the ailianced Of George
Wallace, who was killed by Dudley Tur-
ner She said she wanted to go up and
see Sid; they all wanted to so up togeth-
cr, bnt the deputy would only allow them
to 90 up singly Maj Swaggcrty said he
had no charge over it. Mrs. Wallace re
piled tartly, that he ought to. She then
left the room indignant. They were at
last allowed to go up together, bat saw
him separately On being searched be-
fore going up, the deputies found small
package on Mrs. Wallace, which they
sRrPosEp TO BE POISON.
She said it was snuff, which she had got
in Little Rock, as she could get it cheaper
there. As she had bottle Of snuff with
her they retained the package until she
came down.
DURING The INTERVIEW
Sid told his mother and the others not to
cry, it was no use, it was his funeral. She
said that Gov, Baxter said it was too lato
for any Communication or respite Sid said
it, | have no favors to ask Of
him; he asked no odds. He could stand
it, he
DIDN'T WANT ANY RESPITE.
He said he did not like the way things
were going he didn't intend to stand it.
She said she wished when he was free he
had gone to California. He replied that
he couldn't have cone that. His mother
and friends then left and took n wagon
for home.
ALL CRYING BlTTERLY.
Rev. l. Burrows, the Methodist min
lister, was with Wallace good deal, also
Presiding Elder Paine of the Dardanelle
distict, uncle Of Thomas Paine, shot and
killed during Wallace's capture of the
Jail Mr.. Burrows stated to our report
er that he had rcpented and was sure he
was pardoned, he had prayed and felt
pardonsl, he forgave all and was hearth
ly
SOhh1 FOX WHAT he HAL pONL'
When asked if afraid to stand at the judg-
ment. bar before the Almighty, with the
black record Of his crimes on his hands,
he said no, that he was not, that he had
divine intercessor. That day boquct
of flowers, with a perfumed note and
some fruit, were sent up by a lady in Lit.
tie Rock, Wallace kept the flowers on
his table all day, then gave them TO his
mother to take home. The fruit was not
allowed to go up, there were
SUSPICIOUS OF POISON.
Sid was cheerful all day, and talked
from the windows of the Jail to friends
in the street, and occasionally y varying his
amusements by shouting and yelling loud
enough to be heard all over town, To
Capt. Mcconnell he said he had done
many bad things, that he was sorry for
them now, though al the time he thought
that he was doing right. During :he
night everything was quiet. save the
measured tramp OF the patrols, occas'
ionally, coming in to warm themselves at
the hotel stove. 1t WAS cold and clear.
THE MORNING
on which Sid was to die dawned bright,
clear and cold, AS the morning advanc-
cd it became warmer, and we all felt that
it was sadder still for man to see the
last this world on day so calculated TO
reveal 10 him her beauties in new and
painful scnsc. During the morning
GUARDS KEPT ARRIVING
from the country, shot guns in hand, and
al about o'clock cavalcade of thirty
or forty horsemen rode down the street,
evidently from the mountains. They
were headed by their captain on white
mule. They halted opposit the gallows
and faced about. then dismounted and re-
ported themselves ready for duty.
PREPARING THE scArroLp.
Men now were rushing to and fro, put
ting on and adjusting the rope, trying
the drop and giving orders to subordin.
ates About 10 o'clock our reporter, in
company with Deputy. Sheriff Kline, who
had charge of the execution, started to
see Wallace, On knocking at the door
of the Jail q guard came down aud asked
who was there2 Kline answered and we
were admitted. Passing up the historic
stairs where Kline and his deputies made
their desperate attempt to dslodge the
prisoners during their first capture Of the
Jail, we came 20 the first floor. Here
were several guards, government muskets
in hand. One more pair Of stairs and
we are on the top floor Passing through
two rooms filed with guards