Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-03-22

English, but without conference. lie re
duced to writing the main features of tn
confession of both crimes and afterward
read it to LaPage. who said it was true
LaPage drew diagrams Of the scenes o
both murders. representing the routes owe
which he went and returned. and all th'
principal points. In reference to the Bal
murder, be says he left the hay field wher'
he was at work about a quarter past thre,
in the afternoon, went over through tht
woods to the place where the murder wa:
committed. concealed himself by the roadside
and awaited her appearance. lie sprang oui
and threw himself upon her, struck bel
until she was unconscious. and after be
had placed her body where it was found
returned around on the east side and north
end Of the pond (all Of which route is con-
cealed from yiew) and then approached
his house from the northeast, which is ex-
setly opposite the direct route from the
scene. A little before reaching the road
he says he hid the bundle under log. On
Saturday the St. Albans authorities made
search at the place indicated. but did not
find the bundle. A large number Of logs
are found in that locality, most of them
somewhat decayed, but they are all frozen
down and some are partially imbedded in
snow and ice, so it was impossible to find
anything. 1t is very doubtful if anything
is ever found. and yet there is no reason to
doubt the truth of LaPage's statement.
lie did net enter into the details Ct the
manner in which be committed the crime,
nor tell whether the scratches subse uensly
seen npon his face, and which he then
pretended were caused by ivy poisoning,
were made by his poor victim or not. He
denied having worn a mask. disclaimed
any knowledge of any, but be confessed
the object of his attack. and the same was
true as to Miss Lsngmsid He said the
cause Of his departure from st. Albans was
the report from the clairvoyant at Benning-
ton. ie probably meant Lucy Cook Of
Montpelier or this report he said, +,
when me hear dat. me lot 'frsid. She
told everything true; told my road
my house; put the dressj under log
told me foreigner. no talk English. Me 60
way from St. Albsns about two months,
and learn English. When me come back
me talk English, an me no so 'fraid as be-
fore" lie told Of a man living in st. Al
bans who tried to hire Frenchman In the
village to go to LsPage's house and put
blood on LaPsge's shirt and other clothing.
They would then have him arrested and
get the reward. The Frenchman evidently
went to LaPago and told him of the propo-
SIf nf i a Do IA tsTIa had
man he bad man.
The warden says that after having unbur-
dened his mind. LaPage seemed to be much
more at ease, talked about his execution
and asked how many spectators would be
admitted and if any and how many from St.
Adams. He seemed penitent. and while
confessing. wept bitterly /; but before morn
ing, having dismissed that subject, he talk
ed about other matters, asked obscene ques-
tons and talked like the vulgar monster
he was. He was very solicitous that his
confession should not be given to the pub
lie until alter his death. lie charged the
warden to that effect several times, and the
last thing he said to him was. "Don't tell
Of me till I'm dead"
The EXECUTION.
As LaPage could not read either French
or Eng lish. during the last few days he had
q calendar with mark across the date,
March IL. As each day cane he crossed
many more days be had to live. The scenes
Of that fatal day are thus described Not
until the very last moment was he waited
upon by Sheriff Dodge and the deputies
whom he had selected to assist him in the
final scene. When informed that be must
prepare for the dreadful ordeal. LaPage
answered sulkily ''Yes, sir, l am ready"
and then surrendered himself to the execu
toner. Upon arriving at the narrow door
which opened directly on to the scsffold. the
sheriff paused for few moments Will, the
priests. Father Barre and Millett. admins
tered the final onsclations, ending with the
Lords Prayer, which LaPsge slowly re-
peated in French. During these trying
the condemned man looked
through one OF the prison windows, and
caught his last glimpse Of the besuti-
full sunlight which for the time shone di-
rectly down upon his british features.
The spectators Of the s,l,mn scene seemed
to be more visbly affected at the surround
ings and the occasion than the condemned,
for at no time from the moment he was led
forth till the cap was drawn over his eyes
did he manifest the fseblest emotion. When |
be was brought onto tho scaff1ld, almost
the first face he recognized was that Of Mr.. |
Lang maid. the father of the poor girl whom |
ho had outraged and murdered. He looked
1t him steadily for a few seconds. When |
The condemned was brought forward to the |
,caffoli the assembled witnesses were hush
ID to death-like stiffness. Fathers Barry
and Millett stood upon the rear OF the
gallows during the whole scene. snd
both seemed choked with emotion as
the officers proceeded in their painful duties
Sheriff Dodge. usually calm and serene,
WAS very nervous in reading the warrant
Ior the execution, and probably never before
n performing this act did his rotund form
lremble so violently The deputies, too,
we're somewhat overcome, and indeed
he embarrassment of all was in
conspicuous contrast with the peace
ul, mstter-oEiact demeanor of the
.uuutulutu mdu. kuo uhuuS Nuu iCot |
we're bound by the deputies, Sheriff Dodge,
n the meantime, adjusting tho rope and
irawing down the black cap to exclude the
eatures from the gaze OF the multitude Dur
ing all these poceedings LaPage was as calm
md serene as the beautiful spring morning
y hich he was soon to leave behind. The
eading Of the warrant having been con-
,luded, the Sheriff remarked, In q husky
one: And now Joseph LsPage, in sccor-
lance with the comUand, | proceed to
the sentence of death, by hanging
Iou by the neck until you are dead, and may
i I'd have mercy on your soul" lie then
pressed his foot upon the spring. the trap
ioor gave way, and the murderer Of Josie
ana Marietta Ball was removed
rom the community which he had so out
ragged and aroused. He dropped about six
set. and died without kick or convulsion
If any description. Although death was
,ot instantaneous. it was declared that the
wretch passed away without suffering any
pain. At the end of nineteen minutes Drs.
Crosby. Barney and Gage pronounced life
,xtinct, but Sheriff Dodge observed that
hey had better let him hang few minutes
Onger, and in accordance with
his suggestion the body was not
tut down for half an hour after
wards. The people who gathered to see
him hanged were reluctant to leave the spot,
md appeared disappointed that the law
could do no more To the 6end than take his
life only. About half of the attendants at
he execution uncovered their heads, and
he general aspect of the lookers-on was
Fastly different from the pale, sober faces
hat are generally seen on such occasions.
All crowded for the best places to observe
he tragic scene. and no one seemed to have
The slightest feeling Of pity or regret. The
presence Of the father of Josie Lsngmaid
treated a sensation. and softened the tone
IF those about him, who treated him with
he utmost respect. lie watched the pro
,eedines with steady eye and firm lip. and
doubtless his heart went back to poor
Josie. whose msrred and mutilated body,
,nce so beautiful. now lies under the sod.
AN INTERVIEW WITH MRS. La PAGE.
Mrs. LaPago made tho following state
nent am glad that he made a clean