The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-03-29
From the New York Horald.
John ID. Lees Last Moments.

Before nine O'Clock the soldiers, under |
the in command of Lieut.. Paterson, had
been placed in wagons and driven to the |
scene of the emigrant camp, where the
criminal was to explate his crime. Some
Of the soldiers were posted on the adjoin-
ing hills to guard against surprise. The
wagons were meanwhile placed in line near
the monument and army blankets fastened
over the wheels. Behind this screen the
squad of men who had been appointed to
shoot Lee were to be stationed. The pur-
pose of this concealment of the firing party
was to prevent the men composing it from
being seen by any one. there being a fear
that some of the numerous relatives of Lee
might wreak vengeance on the heads of his
executioners.
The boards of which the coffin was to be
formed were next unloaded from a wagon
and the carpenters began to nail them to-
gether. 1t was rough pine box. While
it was being made Lee sat at some distance
away with Marshal Nelson intently watch
ing the scene around him.
The civilians began to arrive just then,
and those specially invited as witnesses
were allowed to come within the military
enclos ure. All of the others were allowed
to witness the proceedings from consider
able distance east of the ravine. Lee sat
like an Indian chief near the spot W here he
was to die, as cool and collected as ever
He began writing an autograph note in the
District Attorneys memorandum book
Then he exchanged few words with the
Rev. Mr.. Stokes.
At 104 o'cloc the military were drawn
up in line and closer up to the scene of ex-
ecution. Then the photographer made his
appearance one tn scene. Soon after this
the prisoner arose, and holding the arm of
Mr.. Stokes and preceded by the Marshal
and District Attorney, advanced toward
the little corral Of wagons. The coffin had
been in the mean time placed about twenty
FIVE feet from the wagons.
Lee was dressed in gray coat and light
, brown overcoat. He seated himself on the
coffin as soon as he arrived at it. AS soo1
, as he seated himself he looked around hur
riedly, though coolly. A few minutes were
then occupied by the photographer, who
: took picture of the condemned man ant
e the grouped line of spectators. Then th'
reporters were invited to approach, ant
Marshal Nelson read the death warrant
During the reading Of the document tn
r prisoner manifested no emotion, and on il
= conclusion he was informed that he coult
then speak if he desired.
, He proceeded TO deliver his random
speech, His voice was very clear and hi
: manner self-possessed, but he talked some
Il times with remarkable precision. and the
e rushed of into humid style. When h
spoke of Brigham Young's treatment {
70 him he exhibited feeling.
z The speech ended, Lee requested tn
d Rev. Mr.. Stokes to offer PRAYER, and bot
d knelt beside the coffin. The minister pray
ed with feryency for the prisoner and h
family, and asked that if he was an Inno
'e ent man, as he professed to be, his innocel
might be established hereafter. Then Il
reporters withdrew, Lee took off his owe
coat without assistance and shook hant
with Mr.. Stokes, Marshal Nelson, Distri
g Attorney Howard and a few others. tt
ic handkerchief was tied over his eyes, ar
as as it was being done he asked the Marsh
"a not to tie his hands. The favor beiI
granted, Lee clasped his hands ovor h
head, bracing himself up at the same m
so ment, exclaiming, ENTER my heart"
TO All near the priso er stepped aside, al
a. Marshal Nelson, at a little distance to t
! southwest, pronounced the words. "Rea
le -aiu-frew A flash was seen, and 1
'is fell over with dull thud upon his coff
rts his arms falling on both sides of the be
ur then there came three or four slightly
Il connected reports.
= Lees pulse ceased to beat probably
We the moment his heart was penetrated. 81
ool eral Of the five balls with which he v
aw shot passed entirely through his body. q
=, cut ridges in the ground in the rear. Nj
~ guns were fired in all, four of them CT
mo tanning blank cartridges. Three of
in balls penetrated the heart, making but
IT l bole on the body.
,o,. A few minutes after the shooting a C
:, poral tainted in the ranks. The body
I'LL placed in the coffin and photograp
eet, negative was obtained oft, and the spec
lil- tors were allowed to view it. The &C
n 7 had entirely left the face, the mouth
fallen open. The coffin was nailed up
aoe once, to be taken by the soldiers to Ce
rec City, and thence to Lees wife Rachel
,us, Pangwitch.
ava. Before execution Lee gave what mo
:. he had to the District Attorney to be &
TIC en- to Rachel, one of his wives. He g
r in his cost to Marshal Nelson and his scar
att Howard.
cry
pu. The soldiers at the United States Ars
oy q sumerville, Georgia, had pet monkey
the concluded to fire salute with one of
ates cannons, and touched fire to the fuse
,.oI | N loodaJ ona II d;d't m nH / m N, cd iat