Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-12-05

Magoon had been intimate with her. bu, suf-
ficient proof could not be obtained toconvict
him. Later, Magoon was arrested for burn
the buildings of his f;tther-in-law, indicted
by grand jury, but escaped at trial
through legal technically. He had
several times been arrested ON Grim
inal charges and once escaped to Canada
Hopes were entertained that Magoon would
confess these murders to DIR. Watson. his
old family physician, but such was NOT the
case. DR.. Watson will return with his Foiv
on Saturday, to Waits River. where the fin
neral will be held on Sunday, Elder Ding
man of the Methodist church, officiating.
Neither Magoon, his wife or seven children
are members of any church. The eldest son,
Charles, aged y, bears fair reputation and
possesses about one thousand dollars in prop
erly. Asa, the next son, aged a. is a man
OF bad repute, and is now in jail at Montpe-
lier for stealing poultry. Emily. aged %, has
two illegitimate children living, one said to
belong to the German peddlar Edward, the
next son, aged Is, is now out on $500 bail
for theft.
The condemned man ale a hearty supper,
slept soundly through the night and con-
sumed breakfast with good appetite AT
11:jo O'Clock he asked to he shaved He as
serted his innocence and said he should not
go to the gallows unless they carried him, as
he was determined to be in no manner par
~ TO his own death. Later, however, he
modified his intentions somewhat upon this
point. While indulging in various exercises
III his cell he had been accustomed to hold
one foot in his hand and jump about, and
| while thus engaged on one occasiOuhe fell and
badly sprained his ankle, which was the cause
of his hobbliug as he proceeded from his cell
on the fatal march TO the scaffold
| The guard room at the prison was filled
with those intending to witness the execu-
ton, and the suppressed whispers and the
hurrying to and fro of the prison officials,
gave evidence of the rapid approach ofthe last
scene, The subdued tone and bearing of
these officials showed their deep sense Of the
sad duties resting upon them, and spoke vol
umes for their humanity and kind hearted
ness, and was a gratifying evidence Of their
fitness TO have the care of such important
places of responsibility and trust. At Los,
Sheriff Simpson announced that the repre-
sentatives of the press would now be admit
ted, as he desired them first to obtain suita-
Bile positions. This having been done the
remaining witnesses entered and took posi-
tons on the corridors or about the room near
the scaffold, the whole party numbering be
tween forty and fifty persons The fatal
rope and moose were adjusted at Ills. The
following deputies were present: Rollin
Amsden of Windsor, F. Alvord of Perkins
vile, Wilson Lowell of Springfield, Deputy
NhittemOre. At 1:23, the iron door swung
open and disclosed the doomed man seated
in an arm chair. He cast searching glance
up at the corridors and arising, supported
on either side by deputy, the procession of
death was formed in the following order
Sheriff Simpson and Deputy Amsden, Sup
erintendent Rice and Chaplain Mick, Magoon
with a deputy at each side, followed by the
remaining deputies. The prisoner limped
and hobbled, being partially carried along,
and as he reached the foot of the gallows he
cast quick glance upwards and bowed his
head and was partially lifted as he assembled
the scafTold He there seated himself in a
chair and put his hand to his forehead
in an attitude of devotion while Chaplain
Mick made short prayer. Sheriff Simpson
then read the death warrant Magoon inter-
, locked his fingers in front of his chest and
gazed around upon the spectators, a part of
the time with open month. At the reading
of the words Hang by the neck till you are
dead, " he cast a look at the rope behind him
and scowled. At times he would look at the
warrant and seemed interested in the seal
attached to it. After reading the warrant the
sheriff asked him if he had anything to say.
Magoon replied, Can l have all the time
want ?" The sheriff replied, Yes; all you
desire" Magoon then advanced to the front
of the scaffold, and placing his sprained foot
on the lower rail and one hand upon the
upper beam of the gallows, with u voice
trembling with emotion spoke for over a
quarter Of an hour. At the close of his re-
marks he was bound, placed upon the fatal
, trap and launched into eternity.