The New York herald., 1879-08-30
TWO MURDERERS HUNG.
HENRY STUART AND WILLIAM ELLIOTT DIE
PHILosoPHICALLY AND WITH HOPES OF

PHILosopHIcALLY AND WITH HOPES OF
''GRACE."
Fort SMITH. Ark. August %. 1872
Henry Stuart and William Elliott were hanged here
to-day for murders committed in the Indian Terri
tory. At Ave minutes past two O'Clock Stuart and E
lott assembled the scaold with Arm step and fearless
men. They were attended by their spiritual ad-
wiser. Rev. Mr.. Sample, and number Of deputy
marshals and guards. MIR. Sample made . few re-
marks expressing perfect satisfaction with his in
tercourse with his prisoners and with their spiritual
condition. He then offered up fervent prayer. in
which he was earnestly joined by the condemned.
On being asked II he had anything to
say Elliott declared that he innocent Of the
crime for which he convicted. and had killed
Brown in self-defence. He did not do the killing
account OF the woman who said to be con-
nected with the crime. He said that he freely for
gave everybody. had made his peace with God and
willing to die He shook hands with those around
and bade them good bye. As the black cap being
drawn over hisrhead he said:-'Be to break onr
necks. boys. and don't punish u.s." Stewart said
that he had not intended to speak on the scaffold
but would avail himself of the privilege to say few
words Instead of regretting his present condition
he considered it a blessed privilege. He was con-
fdent he had found grace. and would soon
the thief the cross who found forgiveness at the
last moment OF his life. He entertained malice
against no one and bade all farewell. Jerking the
rope with his hand he said, THANK God for giving
such speedy means of passing from this life to
eternity.
At exactly half-past two P. M. Marshal C. NJ
and the fatal trap door felf Elliotts neck was
broken by the fall AID he died without struggle
his pulse ceasing TO beat in sixteen minutes
Stewart sneck not broken. and his limbs twitched
convuisively for five minutes. Pulsaton ceased at
tho end of nine minutes.
The bodies were cut down after hanging twenty
minutes. Stewart's remains were taken charge OF
by his stepbrother. Arthur Stewart OF Atchtson,
Kan, and will be buried in the City Cemetery.
Ellotts body Will be buried the military
ton.
The execution took place privately In the United
States Court yard and was attended only by the OH
catng minister. the court officers. number Of tho
medical profession. representatives OF the press and
few invited citizens.
stuart was of about one-sixteenth Choctaw blood.
and about tewenty- mine years OLD. When ho
nineteen his parents moved to Hartford Conn.,. and
he attended the medical department of Yale Col
u surgeon on the sseamers between New
York aud the Isthmus and California.
he travelled extensively i'll South America and
Europe. In 1873 he married in Kansas, and shortly
after returned to the nation to live. His crime was
being accessory to the murder OF Dr. Jones' OF Caddo
whom he accused Of causing his arrest for introducing
liquor in the nation Elliott was OF fine appearance.
but of commonplace history. lie was born in Ohio
In 1S47. and received limited education. He en-
tered the Union army in 1868. Several months sgo
he arrived ut Muscogee and took his residence at
the house of q prostitute, where in February he
murdered in cold blood mau named Brown in a
drunken carousal at his mistress den. Stuart was
asleep the site OF his crime. Elliott said his
correct name Wiley.