The Morning herald., 1877-09-22
THE EXECUTION OF RHODES.
sCENEs'ANDINCIDENTs,

yesterday at 1890 q. m, in the jail at New
Castle. There has been no other execution
there, since VIM. Dennis, also, negro was
hanged for terrible outrage upon women
about one mile from where Rhodes mur~
dered James Temple. Sheriff Grubb had
all the preparations for the execution made
on Thursday. At 1890 yesterday morning,
the Sheriff took the prisoner from his cell
and conveyed him to the yard. There were
assembled about one hundred and fifty per-
sons consisting of the usual jury, represen"
tatives Of the press, the ministers who had
been attending the culprit, and few Of his
near relatives and personal friends.
Some time previous to this he WAS con-
veyed by his own request to the cell OF
John Duckery, the brother Of the woman
for love of whom he slew James Temple;
now confined in the jail for costs and fines.
They warmly greeted and embraced ardent
ly, and bid each other an eternal "good-
bye."- Sad and solemn was that farewell
Spiritual exercises were held IN his eel,
during the morning by Rev. Mr.. spotswood,
aided by Mr.. Morrow and other members Of
the Y. M. @. A. He expressed desire that
the execution take place % soon after 10
a. possible. He said he felt perfectly we'll
and was resigned to his fate. He slept
we'll last night and rose this morning At
o'clock and ate hearty breakfast, after
which he called Mr.. Herdman, the jailor,
and gave him penny saying It WAS the last
one be had in the world. It is one Of the
eagle pennies and was coined in 1875.
Stamped across the penny just below the
eagle is the name H. B. James. He wanted
Mr.. Herdman to keep It for his sake, IS
long Is he lived.
A few minutes after ten Mr.. Herdman
told him his time was come. His mother
and sisters. who were In the cell with him
at the time, threw themselves upon him,
and most heartrending and affectionate
farewell was taken-ties were rudely sun
dered, never to be reunited in this world.
He was then left alone for few moments
with Rev. Mr.. Spottswood, of whom be
made special request to attend him on the
scaffold.
At the time above stated his hands and
arms were pinioned tightly behind him, and,
supported by the Sheriff and Mr.. Spotts-
wood, he mounted the stairs lea ding to the
platform with firm tread. Advancing to
the front of the scsftold, he said, "Friends, I
hope you have nothing against me-"
The clergyman then offered up prayer,
the prisoner repeating the words after him.
As the the prayer was, completed an awful
silence prevailed, which was finally broken
by Rhodes, who advanced . step further to
the front of the platform and again said
"Friends, I hope none of you have anything
against mel have nothing against any one.
| am very thankful to Mr.. and Mrs. Grubb,
Mr.. Herdman and all for their kindness to
me. have no hard feelings for any one. I
believe that's all have to say"
+. The moose was then placed around his
neck and drawn up close, with the knot un-
der his left ear. Mr.. Herdman pulled the
: black cap over his head, and Rhodes called
out, "Farewell everybody; I'm going home.
= Farewell" "t g.yjl'
The Sheriff then stepped back, grasped
0 the Ratchet and at one blow severed the cord
that held the trap; and at 1896 O'Clock the
soul of John Rhodes was launched into
70 eternity.
. A heavy thud, stihening of the arms and
d legs, followed by q drawing up of the latter,
= and then the victim ceased to exhibit any
n signs of life. Two minutes aftet . percepti-
BILE contraction Of the muscles at the wrists
and forearms was the only evidence that life
remained. .Ia .w.
i DR.. George Troupe Maxwell, the prison
- physician, with his fingers on his pulse, an
nounced that the man was dying of strsngu'
70 lation. His neck, owing to the knot having
~ slipped around, was not broken.
y At 1890 the pulse was 30 irregular and
Iindistinct that It could not be counted
N When 1t suddenly became stronger, and wal
J. beating at 12O minute. Then 1t gradually
q sank to 96, 1t which It was beating prett,
G strongly, at eight minutes after the drol
had fallen. From this time 1t rapidly be
g, came weaker, and at 10:4S Rhodes was pro
e nounced "dead."
ID Just before his pulse ceased his breas
m heaved as though he was trying to get hi
r. breath. He was dressed In plsin blacl
g cloth pants and vest, and dark disgona
0; coat, with white shirt and collar and blacl
or bow.
. His body was left hanging until 1857. ]
= was then cut down and the inquest Was he'll
% in the prison yard, the verdict being tn