Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-05-07
UNREPENTANT But SERENE.
THE BEECHER CASE.
MISSOURI WAR CLAIM RING.
A BATTLE IN CUBA.
EIECUTI0V IN MA SS4CTIsET
The Last OF q TrinIe Murderer


PLYMOUTH, MASS, May - VIM Z
Sturtevant, the triple murderer (who kill
hls uucle, MS brother, and female domes-
tlc,) was hanged this morning in the county
JAN yard. To the last moment the doomed
man maintained the compoSure and stoliditv
which had characterized him throughout
ana was apparently unmOved by any CON
ception OF the possible horrors of the future
The arrangement for the execution Were
perfect, aud from professional point OF view
1t was
COMPLETE SUCCESS
The old style of scafIold, with its platform
and drop, was discarded in this case and he
more modern arrangement of pulleys and
weights was adopted, by which the body is
jerked into the air by the momentum of a
falling weight attached to other end of fhe
rope. This was the first occasiof on which
TINS instrument had ever been used in this
state. a large number of sherifrs of difT4r-
ent counties of the state were in Attendance
with a view OF witnessing the experiment.
Inc prisoner TOOK farewell leave of his wife
ana bis child last evening, since which time
he has seen no one but prison officials. He
retired about half past nine O'Clock silent
soundly and undisturbed until 6 clock this
a. m. Owing TO his expressed determination
to take his own life a double guard had been
put over him and his every movement was
under the strictest surveillance.
THE VICTIM TAKING 1T COoL.
At half-paSt six O'Clock he brea kcaSted
with as much apparent zest as though pre-
pairing 1oT mere pleasure trip. He con
Nersed but little, arrayed himself in a plain
I'D
O'Clock had the air of one all really and
waiting. The Rev. Edward Haloyav nriSon
chaplain, was with him, but 10 all his efforts
To tuIn his attention to the subject of his
moral accountability, repentance or spir-
itual salvation. he made some such reply
"HCu know nothing more than of what re-
mains in the future" At O'Clock the re-
rorters and few others were admitted to
the corridor Of the Jail, and Sturtevant was
led out to listen to the last services of the
chaplain. He seated himself directly in
nnf na1y l,fGv Oh
hand partially supporting his head, sur
mltteo to the service more as necessary iu-
gredient of the execution than something in
tended in mercy and kindness for him.
PARTING SCENES.
The little knot of twenty who stool with
uncovered heads around the prisoner each
ard all were more affected than SturteVant.
The chaplain shook hands with him and
babe him farewell with deep emotion. He
alluded TO the fact of their irreconcilable diff
ference on religious topics, and omitted any
special eXortatfon. After reading the scrip
lures and prayers Mr.. Hathaway addressed
TIE prisoner in general terms. While feeling
allusion was made TO his wife and children.
soon to be a widow and orphans, no: the
slightest emotion was visible. His counter
ance defed scrutiny. At ten minutes of ten
O'Clock all but the prison officials were ex-
Guided,
THE FINAL PREPARATION
was made. The prisoners arms aud wrists
we've piniOned with strong leather straps aud
the black cap was placed upon his head, but
not drawn down over the face, however.
Promptly at 10 O'Clock Sturtevant was led
out to the scaffold, walking with a firm step
the 30 feet or more that separated him from
death. Stepping upon the platform, which
was but few inches from the ground, he
IA ell the crowd, still without emotion. As
the EOOSe was place over his head he moved
it TO one side as if
ANXIOUS TO ENPEDTTE THE BUSINESS.
The sheI'iffTs assistants quickly arranged
the prisoner, and to the inquiry whether he
desired To say anything the prisoner pleas
antIy replied, Nothing whatever"
THE EXECUTION.
The sheriff then read the warrant and
shaking hands with the prisoner commented
him 10 a merciful Saviour. Straps were
then placed about his ankles and knees, the
cap drawn down, and instantly the sheriff
touched the spring, and the murderer was in
a Jwinkling pulled into the air The body
was jerked up about five feet The neck was
not broken and death ensued from strangula-
ton.
STURTEVANT'S CRIME.
SturteVant was convicted of numbering
Thomas and Simon Sturtevant, and Mary
Buckley, and aged domestic, on the 18th of
February, 1874, after a jury trial, in which
circumstantial evidence played the most inn
portant part. The murdered men were rela-
lives of the condemned, who killed them to
obtain a large amount of money they pos
sessed. The wom.an was followed through
the fields and beaten ~ death. The triple
tragedy was one OF the bloC-Iest IN the an
nails of crime.