The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-08-17

tackle rugged at one end. The place selected
Tor the hangman TO sever the rope was
where it lay upon the cross-pieee ut the
eastern end of the gailows.
FINAL PREPARATIONS.
Early Wednesday morning the condemned
men were visited by their spiritual advisers
Banks and Lauve by Father Cuppens,
Childress and Carter by Rev. Ashby-after
which they were washed and dressed III
suits of white material, Childress alone
wearing a coat. For some time they moved
leisurely about in the hallway and cells OF
the Jail, conversing with the officers, the
other prisoners and the newspaper men;
who had access to the prison. Carter smoked
a cigar with fair show of nonchalance, but
Chiidress displayed the most self-pOsses-
sion Banks moved about i'll a htful and
uneasy manner, while Lauve displayed with
each passing moment the terror that was
taking possession of his soul ut the near ap-
proach of the terrible moment.
Presently from the third cell emerged the
HASGMAN,
dressed in startling costume. His body was
robed in black domino, his head covered
by piece of red flannel, while his face was
concealed by n hideous pumpkin-cOlored
mask. A belt of red flannel encircied his
waist in which he had stuck cotton cords
for tying the hands and feet of the prison
ers, the white caps to be placed over their
heads and faces, and bright new Ratchet
with which to sever the rope sustaining the
drop. Striped stockings, black slippers and
white cotton gloves completed the picture.
This ugly object now advanced and tied the
hands of the condemned behind their backs.
All submitted readily except Lauve, who
twice asked for further delay. At 1915 A.
NJ everything was announced in readiness,
a mournful procession formed and the word
was given to begin the march to the scafOld.
A space some hundred feet square had
been marked off in front of the Courthouse
and Jail yard, which was encireled by rope
passed through mortised posts placed at fire.
uuent intervals and only the Sheritfs posse
and a privileged few were allowed to come
inside the enclosure. The CannOneers of
Donaldson were drawn up in semi-circle
directly in front of the gallOws, with fixed
bayonets; several guards paced back and
forth near the rope to prevent the entrance
of the crowd, and forty or fifty Sheriff 3
special deputies, armed with Winchester
rifles and other weapons, were stationed In
and about the Courthouse. Facing the gal
lows and Just i'll from. of the CannOneers
were placed several chairs and desks for the
convenience of the representatives OF the
press. On every side beyond the rope a sea
of expcetant faces was apparent, and the
neighboring hOusetOps were covered with
curious lOOkers-on.
on THE scAFFoLD.
At 1920 the Jail gate was thrown open and
Sheriff Jones emerged, followed by Wilson
Childress and Aaron Carter, who were ac-
companied by Revs. John Ashby and Pierre
Landry and Coroner Sullivan. AL mounted
the steps to the platform of the scatfold,
Childress being placed in chair to the ex-
IRENE right and Carter on his left. Then
came Banks and Lauve, with Father Cup
pens, Constable st. Martin and the cxecu-
toner. Banks and Father Cuppens assembled
the steps arm-in arm, Lauvc being assisted
by Constable st. Martin. Banks was placed
in the chair at Carriers left, and Lauve Oe-
cupied that on the extreme left of the plat
form. The hangman had assembled with the
party, but he now returned to the ground
and took up position under the platform,
where he remained until the moment ar
rived for adjusting the nOoses about the necks
of the doomed criminals. The demeanor of
the condemned upon first taking their pO-
sitions on the scaffold was worthy of note.
Childress occasionally surveyed the crowd
with u cool glance, but kept his face mostly
turned up and gazed intently at the eastern
sky. Carter on the contrary was greatly
dep: essed and directed his eyes to the
ground. Banks was nervous and fidgety,
frequently turning about in his chair and
chewing tobacco with great avidity. Lauve
seemed cool and unconcerned, but his was
the lethargy of despair.
Deputy Sheriff David Israel mounted q
chair in front of the scaffold at 1875 and
read the death warrant in u loud voice. At
the conclusion of the reading he asked Viii
son Childress if he had anything to say.
LAST WORDS.
Childress rose to his feet and proceeded
to speak about as follows, occasionally NOV
ing back and forth the length of the drop,
now speaking in his ordinary manner, now
chanting like preacher, but always with O
firm, powerful voice displaying no tremor of
fear: "GoOd morning welcome all. l
have come to tell all what God have done
for ME: He have freed my soul from the
greedy jaws of hell. l am standing before
you now but in little while I'll be sitting
in my fathers Kingdom. Farewell, world I;
l hope to meet you all in heaven. Pm going
to leave this world of sorrow I'm going
where there is no chilly wind, no sickness,
no pain, no groaning; on the golden shore
no wave of trouble will cross my peaceful
breast. Eve got nothing against nobody;
I'm going home. Farewell, world farewell,
sin l look towards the West and / see a
band of angels no man can number; right
behind is great band of all nations, and
my place is on the right I'm going home
I'm going home I'm going home! Farewell,
to do; I'm going to die in Jesus. Farewell,
backbiters and evil speakers I've got moth
ing against any body, friends and enemies,
white and black, rich and poor, jew and
GENTLE; wish could carry all with me.
I'm going to the great city built without
hammer or nails thank God, I'm glad to
60. / was afraid of death when in my sinful
ways, but now I'm glad to go, for my soul
will be hid in Christ Jesus. | am not guilty !;
although found guilty before men, am not
guilty before God: know nothing about
it, but amt got time to talk about that.
You white citizens, thank you all for what
You have done for me; also tho outsiders.
The jailor did all he could for me; whatever
l asked for l got White and black, rich
ard poor, try and meet me in heaven.
will tell all the world l am not afraid to
die and yOu, saints and sinners, standing
around here blossoming for the grave, will
tell you all no man could stand upon the
scatfOld and talk about God if he amt got
Him. All have to say, hope to meet you
all in glory. Pm going home. white and
black, may God blees you all.' He then
babe farewell to those around him upon the
scaffOld and resumed his seat.
Aaron Carter was next asked if he had
onVfhiDO m Glou1y ba ha0ou 20