The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-12-05


British Spy ws Executed.
They have walking club in West.
chester county, N. Y; q much more
sensible institution, by the way, than
coaching clubs, miniature catching clubs,
polo clubs, and most of tho other clubs
with which the upper-tendom OF tho me-
tropolis endeavor to knock Father Time
in the head. A recent tramp Of the am.
ateur pedestrians took them into . clas-
sic locality, some of the most interest
ing features of which are thus described
by ono of the members, who Yields pen
end legs with equal facility:
Half mile was quickly covered, and
passing on the left o low, weather beaten
stone house with modern wooden front
of wood, known a. the "WashiDgton
Quarters" the members found them
selves in the streets of old Tappantown.
invested with Q melancholy, historical
interest from hsving been the scene of
the imprisonment, trial and execution Of
Maj. Andre. They paused long before
the old house, built Of the red sandstone
of that region, facing the main street in
which Andre had boon confined. 1t 10
now unoccupied and dilapidated, and its
wood work is sadly decayed, but then
it was busting tavern, we'll patronixed,
and doing dourishing business. The
present inscription above its door is,
"Old Stone House, 76." A little fur
thor on 10 brick church, with . white
wooden tower, from which asweet-toned
bell WAS ringing for morning service.
This church 10 comparatively modern,
having been built in 1885. but 10 inter-
es:ing as standing on the site CT the old
stone church in which Andre was tried
and condemned. In the little neglected
graveyard behind it are old sandstone
slabs, bearing dates as early as 1854,
and queer old Dutch names long since
forgotten. After lingering here few
minutes and trying to decipher the
nearly obliterated inscriptions, the club
turned again to the westward. After
walking nearly half . mile further up
gentle incline they reached the summit
Of what is INTERCHANGEABLE known as
"Gallows," Washington" and "Andre"
bill, where the gallant young officer was
hanged. All that now marks the spot
is an old dead cedar tree, destined to
stand but short time longer, the trunk
Of which is protected by boards from
the ravages of relic hunters-said to be
one of the two that supported the cross
piece from which depended the fatal
moose. According to tho traditions of
the place, the condemned man stood in
cart that was driven between tho two
trees, the rope adjusted about his neck
and the cart drawn away from beneath
him. A wooden post driven in the
ground short distance from the spot
marks the place where he was buried,
and from which the body was atterward
removed and taken to England to be
buried with honor in Westminster Alb
hey. Far down at the foot of the bill
can be seen tho old headquarters, and
the windows from which Washing.
ton witnessed the preparations for the
execution, but which he ordered to be
closed and darkened before the event
took place.
1t is known that Andre hoped to the
last moment that his petition would be
granted, and that he would perish by the
bullet and not BY the halter. An off,
Ger on whose arm he leaned during the
final march relates that when tho melan.
choly procession came in sight of the
gaIlows Adre suddenly stopped. "You
are not afraid ?" said bis companion.
"No," was the reply ~ can meet the
death, but l abhor the means" The
same authority informs US that the dis
NAL arrangements were not entirely
complete when the procession arrived at
the scene of execution, and there was
brief delay. Andre stood calmly during
the terrible interval; showing the emo
ton which filed his breast only by roll |
ing small stone over and over with bis
foot, and . peculiar spasmodic action in
the throat. When all was ready he half
whispered, As if in soliloquy, at will be
but . momeutary pang;" stepped into
the cart, removed his cravat, adjusted the
rope himself, and then turned to the %.
sembled multitude. sa,d:"I pray you all to
bear witness that l die 40 becomes brave
man." The signal vas given. the cart
moved of, and he died without the
slightest struggle. He WAS buried ~
he died, in full regimentsls; his watch
and other valuables having been pre-
viously given to his valet, who forward.
ed them to relatives in England. When
the grave Was opened some fifty years
later, preparatory TO tho transportation
of the remains to Westminster Abbey,
the buttons and apo,tion of the gold
lace Of the uniform we're still in tol-
cradle preservation, and the roots Of .
cherry tree planted at the head had
grown through the coffin and formed .
perfect net work around the skull. No
American, We think, ever looked at the
splendid monument in the noblest Of
Englsnd's temples, without throb Of
tender sorrow for John Andre.
The OFswn u Aexice.
An interesting paper was read before
the Historical Society of Long Island,
last evening BY Mr.. Bigelow upon 1.-THE
Heir TO the the Imperial Crown Of Mex
80 r.. ~ - - ,