, 1877-10-05
EXECUTION or THOMPSON.

hC iOho"HS 10 SOuuSuscu HOiu
an article in the Seattle Dispatch"
in regard to the execution Of Thomp
son at that place:
At the hour OF 1870 p. NJ, on the 2Sth |
day of September 1877, the unfortunate
man Thompson eXpiated with his life for |,
the killing OF Solomon Baxter, at Renton,
Oh the afternoon OF Sunday, February llth
last. Ever since the day when this unior-
tunate man received the sentence of death,
there has been great reaction in the teal-
ings of the people, both here and at Rem
ton, the scene of the murder, In favor OF
Commutation of sentence, and so firm has
been the belief that this would be done for
the prisoner, that scarcely any effort had
been made in his behalf until within few
days. Immediately after the occurrence
of the affair Mt Renton, public feeling was
fearfully aroused against Thompson, and
it was feared at one time that the excited
miners would resort to lynch law to
aveDge the death OF Baxter; but better
cotmsels prevailed, and the prisoner was
arrested and incarcerated lnjail, and With
in two days was tried and sentenced to
death.
AT the conclusion of the trial, all ap-
peared satisfied with the justice of the sen-
fence. But as i'm all cases where the pop
ular mind Is excited to an undue pitch by
some summary act of bloodshed, with the
conclusion of the trial and sentence or
Thompson, perceptible feeling OF SYM
pathy found its way to the hearts OF even
his bitterest accusers, and the efforts made
within the past week to secure commu-
tation of sentence have been unusually
strenuous. Petitions were circulated and
willingly signed by all. Prominent citi-
zens OF the city interested themselves in
behalf of the unfortunate man, and even
went up to Olympia and personally inter-
ceded for him with Governor Ferry. But
all efforts were futile and the sentence OF
the law must be appeased.
The scailod was constructed OF green fir
lumber. and its dimensions were as fol-
lows: Surface, 10 feet; s feet up to the
sca(lold from the floor on which the con.
demned man stood; beam, . feet above;
trap-door, 3 feet square; fall, feet. The
scallold was placed in position at the north
west corner of the yard, to the left OF the
entrance to the offices above. Long prior
10 the hour appointed for the hanging, all
immense crowd Of people slrged about the
Jail, endeavoring to get a glimpse of the
condemned. Men, women and children
Congregated In every available spot where
it was possible to catch glimpse of the
dead scene. On houses, fenses, stairwIys,
and even on the roofs of adjoining houses.
The hour OfeXcCutiOn was set at 10 O'Clock,
but was afterwards changed. Precisely
at fifteen minutes past o'clock, the im
inense door of the Jail swung back on its
hinges, and Thompson supported by Rev.
Mr. Mcte ard Rev. Dauic!. Bagley, as
sisted by Rcvs. Dillon and Edwards, came
forth. He was dressed in q neat suit Of
black, and the only thing particularly no.
ticeabe in his appearance was the deathy
pallor of his countenanCe Guarded by
the Sheriff and his deputies he slowly as
cended the stairs leading to the scaEo,d,
where after being placed III position Sheriff
Wyckotl read tile warrant for the eXccu-
ton. He then asked the prisoner If he
had anything to say, when Thompson re-
piled that he had, He said that he was
hot guilty ofthe crime with which he WAS
charged, and that he was only acting in
sei-deiense. At the conclusion OF his re-
marks, Rev. Mr.. Maciie made an eloquent
appeal to God in behalf OF the prisoner; to
which Thompson responded clearly aud
pealed to God for mercy, and while his
arms ard legs We're being pinned even
sang hymn. The black cap was then
drawn over his face, and ut 1880 p. NJ, at a
given signaI the trap was sprung and
with a quick motion the body OF John
Thompson dropp' through the opening
and his soul was hurried Into the presence
Of his Maker. A few couyu,siyc witch
ings Of thc body, Il nervous cIutcling OF the
hands, and all was still. Alter hanging u
lew moments, Or. Bagley approached aud
examined the body, AID pronounced life
extinct. The last pulsation OF the heart
having ceased at Two O'c,ock. Tile body
was taken in charge by Mr.. Ru,.el., the
undertaken, aud soon after conveyed 10 the
grave. Having satiated their morbid Gu
riosity the crowd quietly dispersed
Thompson Was Il native of Rentrew,
Scotland and ut the time Gf Ill death was
about 40 years of age. lie mp AIRED per
fcty resigned to his inlG, and MS manner
betrayed no nrrvull-ncS~ ort,@r. Previous
TO his exrcuLiOu ho made u verbal contcs-
sion to Rev Mr.. Mac'ie, the nature OF
which We did not learn.