Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-03
Execution Of MagOOn.

Asa Magoon has paid the penalty Of his crime,
II crime II was, for he died protesting his limo
cence not only Of the killing Of Streeter but Of
other crimes Of which he has been suspected. Dr.
o. L. Watson Of West Topsham who had known
the Magoon family for twelve years, procured an
interview with him, and, after assuring him that
there was no hope for a reprieve, asked him II he
would own up anything. Magoon said, Good
God what did | want to injure that man for9
never harmed hair Of his head" that he never
knew anything about the Bowen woman whose
house was burned and her body found among the
ashes; that he never was In her house; that he
had prayed to God every day since he had been
In prison and believed he was forgiven and should
go to heaven. lie had been closely watched for
some time to prevent him from committing SUI
icide. 90 the Wednesday before his execution
he had accidentally sprained his ankle 30 that he
could not walk without help, and the officers were
obliged to carry him up the steps Of the scaffold
chair was provided and he placed himself In II,
Mt the same time glancng about the corridors and
hall from under his exceedingly prominent eye
brows. Chaplain Mick offered prayer, during
which Magoon sat with hand reverentaly placed
upon his forehead. Sheriff Stmson then read the
warrant of execution, and Magoon looked the
sheriff steadfatly in the eyes for some moments,
then cast his eyes down and around the specta-
tors, then interlocked the fingers of both hands
across his lap, and the sheriff pronounced the
words :" be hanged by the neck till dead" he
looked behind the chair to the fatal drop and
scowled; but his eyes did not linger there. When
the reading Of the warrant was finished, the
sheriff said Asa Magoon, have you anything
to say before you die?'' lie replied that he had,
and rising and placing his sprained foot on the
lower railing his hands on the upper, said " Gem
tlemen-I stand here to-day to be hung as an in
nocent man. We went TO Montpelier and got
some liquor, aud when we returned we drove up
to Mrs PERKINS, God knows | never hurt
streeter in this world. Stayed awhile. Streeter
was going to stay all night, and this woman gave
him half y pie. which he ate. Now couldn't
get this woman to testify at the trial II she isn't
guilty ~ the crime that am to be hung for, why
didn't she go out and see Streeter when she heard
he had been killed. No, she didn't care anything
about 1t. tell you, gentlemen, before three years
are over you will find who killed Streeter but it
will be after am dead. That man in Rhode
Island said the same thing, and, sure enough, in
three years the murderer himself called round
and confessed 1t. Vermont people with much
emphasis) have refused to grant Christian man
fair trial. They have Just good a right to go
into graveyard, take dead body out and hang
1t as to kill me. Mrs. Perrin had had a fight
with Streeter in the spring She pounded his
head and left long Indicating by his finger
across his scalp, and she offered 81 600 for some
body to kill Streeter. ought to have had time
to get evidence before the legislature, but they
wouldn't let me. My lawyers have taken 81, 900
from me; and it's all they'll get for they wouldn't
| help me. Give me one year to get new trial
and II the decision is against me after their hear.
| ing won't find word of fault for being hung.
| always used Stieeter well-kept him in spending
money, fed him for eleven months, and then to
| be killed for treating man well! 1t amt right
(trembling violently and shedding tears it is un.
just Why, think Of it, gentlemen, could leave
a three-year old colt in the road and go back and
kill a MANI DR.. jackson said he was shot through
the cheek never had gun. That the people
of Vermont may understand after | am killed,
want them TO know that / am an innocent man -
| The cap was drawn at quarter before two, the
sheriff touched spring, and Magoon dropped
seven feet, breaking his neck 1t is impossible tc
resist the conviction that he died hardened
wretch, and went into the presence of his Maker
with a lie upon his lips