Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-12-05
INTO ETERNITY.
Asa MagOon Executed at Windsor
For the Murder of Rufus Streeter


WNDsCE, Vt, NCy IS In the main
hall Of the States Prison, this after
noon, Asa Magoon paid the last penalty
of the law for the murder Of Rufus Streeter
at Barre on the 18th Of October, 1875. The
condemned mans counsel made final ap-
plication for a reprieve to Gov. Proctor,
but he declined to grant it, both the
courts and the legislature having passed
upon the matter, and Magoon was forced to
abandon his last hope for mercy in this
world. For two or three days past he spent
much of his time in prayer and he professed
TO believe that God had answered his petit
tons Chaplain Mick was his spiritual add
wiser. Magoon's wife and Streeter's wife
(who is Magoon's daughter) keep dram
shop near Corinth, and Mrs Magoon is re-
ported as having said, a few days ago, that
''she would not give a dollar for
Magoon's old body" Though he had
quite large family Magoon had neither
relative nor friend to comfort him in his last
extremity. lie was hanged on the same
gallows on which Gravelin and Phair were
executed. The arrangements were in charge
of Sheriff 5. W. StimsOn Of Ludlow who per-
formed his dreadful duty with his usual
carefulness and fidelity, and there were none
of the shocking scenes sometimes witnessed
on such occasions
THE INTERVIEW WITH THE PHYSICIAN.
At $50, Dr. o. L. Watson Magoon's fam
lily physician. visited him in his cell, with a
hope that he might confess. Magoon who
WAS lying on his bed, raised himself up and
seemed pleased to meet him. The following
conversation then occurred
well, Asa Magoon, how do you feel;'
''As well as could he expected.
Are you resigned TO your fate =
Eyes, | suppose | have got to go
"Yes, no doubt of it. The scsffold is
prepared and Governor Proctor has refused
to intervene, and now if you have any con-
fession to make or any message TO send TO
your family am ready to receive it."
Tell Charles to be good to his mother
and the rest of the family. Tell them to live
good Christian lives so as to meet me in
heaven"
''Are you going to make any confession %
Good God, what did | want to injnre
that man for : | never injured hair of his
head"
Il suppose if you had not been drinking
and were in your right mind you would not
have done such a thing"
Magoon replied the same as before.
I'VE think, Asa, you are guilty and if you
are going to make any confession, do so al
once"
'lhave no confession to make. | am al
innocent man."
"What about that peddlar: p
"What peddlar q
why that peddlar that was seen last a
your house"
That peddar is at Island Pond, and
thought everything of him."
"What about that woman Bowen, WASH
that her name:"
i don't know anything about her anC
never was in the house in my life
DO you believe God has forgiven YOU
sins and you are going to heaven -
II have read my bible and prayed every
day since l have been here"
Dr. Watson then conversed about the fu
neral. Magoon asked him if he wa
going to care for his body ant
was answered that he would. The docto
then said, 81 hope you are sincere and hav
repented-" NIegoon replied, Goodbye; tel
my folks TO meet me in heaven" They the
shook hands and Dr. Watson departed.
WINDSOR. Nov est was hoped that a
his interview with Dr. Watson, Magool
would confess as to his connection viii
the murder of German reddlar, also of
woman named Bowen, rs well as that o
Streeter.
! THE FNFCTTION