The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1879-05-06


the efi.rts made To induce him to eat.
MANY sPEcULATIONs
were also indulyel in as tn whether he
would die like craven. or brace mp
and be u man at the last moment.
1t was said, too, that the stockade
could never stand the pressure Of the
surging crowd. whom all admitted
would clamor Justify for admittance.
while some thought many would claim
II rs a right that the enclosure be
RACED and that all citizens be permitted
1" see the villain die.
Min.!en. Neb.. (via Kearney) A Drill
26.-rhe prisoner arrived at about
twelve O'clock last night and vas
placed under guard at the sheriff.
Office. Durin. the forenoon there was
a constant stream If vehicles entering
the village from all directions. and
squads Of dozen were admitted to
see the doomed man, WHO received his
visitors pleasantly, and conversed
cheeriully with Ill who came.
The stories ot his weakening are
false. He was the coolest and hand.
somest man in town.
In conversation with Gazett, re-
porter he said the So called confession
to he published by the Lincoln Journal
is not authorized. He made a few
remarks. he said. at Lincoln, address
ing FIVE hundred people. provided you
call those things ut the State Capital
people. Richards said also that he
has som" friends at Webb City, Mo-,
." whom he would send his regards by
the only Missouri reporter on the
ground. Bidding the representatives
Of the press good hve. he said he was
glad the troubles Of this world are
nearly ended. He expressed a wish
that
THE EXECUTION
take place soon after midday. BY neon
there was about two thousand people
on the grounds. There had been
whisperings aud mutierings all dav
on account Of the law requiring the
man tn he hanged inside Of an en-
cinsnre. snd it w;,s saih there were
men present to pull down the little
coop sixteen feet square surrounding
the scahjld. Others argued that It
would reflect upon the county If any
demonstrations should be made. At
about noon the crowd collected about
the enclosure and in spirit Of osten-
sible levity some one cut the rope
encircling the frail structure. Sheriff
Herman, made flourish, threatening
to arrest any one who attempted to
violate the Law. The crowd gave hlm
three cheers. and cut the rope sgain.
The widest excitement then prevailed.
The guards then attempted to force
the crowd back, but they only jeered
and laughed ut the idea, manifesting
respect for the guards, but spoke
lightly OF the sheriff. After awhile
some one obtained firm hold on one
If the upright boards forming the pen
md tnre il away. Then the work
# demolition commenced, and in Eve
minutes three sides Of the enclosure
we're torn away. The sheriff then
the scaf]0ld and begged the
men to desist, - thelaw Vas imperative
md he must obey il. All could see
,ow and he hoped the remainder Of
he enclosure would be permitted to
tand. The crowd cheered and
assisted in stretching the rope again.
The doors Of the sheriffs Office then at
l2:48 opened and the prisoner was
brought out. On approaching the
enclosure, Richards looked up q the
'ca6bld and ascended the stairway
NTH . firm step. Mr.. Kent, county
:lerk, faced the crowd and said !:
The time has now come when the
1uty We have to perform must be
to. While We - officers of
he Law regret that it, letter and
'pirit cannot Be carried out, am
thankful that no citizen Of Kearuey
county had anything to do with its
rotation. / thank the people Of
Kearney county for their order and
sood behavior, and hope il will con-
inue during the execution"
Sheriff Herman then read the death
sarrant, and asked the prisoner If he
I'D anything to say.
HIS DYING WORDS.
Richards looked about over tho
roWd for . moment q If in doubt %
o the propristy Of speaking. and then
aid:
"You all know what I stand here
Dr.. You have your opinion and ]
ave mine. The crime for which I
NJ condemned / do not CHIN to Be
lurder in the 6rst degree. The charge
do not consider lhwfal-I am
coined to die. ! stand % q murderer,
ondemned to death. while not fair on
nch an examination. / have made
" peace With God and An willing to
ie. As I gaze OF across the prairie
know it 10 my last gaze. I have no
esire to roam any more, knowing
hat . reputation amounts to in tho
ord. / bad - SION 60 - not. I
'el and trust that / shall meet YOU
L. I shall not be surprised to SO
ANY Of you on the right hand ~ you
'avel tho broad way. l leave q
Ither, brother and Eve sisters to
'ourn my l"ss. I would rather il had
IN of in some far distant country,
here they would never have heard
it. As it i, they al know that
IL i the day on which I am to b
I bid you farewell.
,ps to God I may meet you all