The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-05-06
A CHASTITY Gallows Scene.


WASHINGTON, April 81. NJ Stone,
the wife murderer, was executed here
to-day. The attending circumstances
were sensational in the highest degree.
Stone was awakened about A. NJ. and
ate hearty breakfast. The morning
was spent with two colored and one
white ministers in his cell singing
hymns and praying. The condemned
man expressed himself willing to die
and believed he was going to heaven.
Shortly after y o'clock Sheriff Crocker
entered his cell and read the death war
rant and at 1855 ?. NJ. the procession
to the scatiold was formed. Stone
walked between two turkeys followed
by the officers and attending clergvmen.
His bearing was rather dignifed as he
emerged from the jail corridor into the
enclosure, where scaiioll was erected.
He glanced curously at the instrument
of death but never quailed, ascending
the gallows with firm step. There he
spoke few words in low tone to DR..
Rankin, WHO said to the hundred of
spectators, she wishes he to say he
dies at peace with the world IN full
hope OF meeting his Savior" Stone was
observed to be neatly dressed in black
broadcloth suit with q spotiess linen
turn over collar and black necktie.
Prayer was offered and portion of the
scriptures read, during which he listened
with close attention, bowling his head
reverently during prayer. He then
babe goodbye to those about him the
moose and black zap was adjusted and
the spring touched. He shot like a
flash through the trap, falling to the
ground heavily. There was general
cry OF horror and intense excitement
prevailed Those nearest to the scatfold
then began to realize what had happened
His head had been cut from his body,
as clearly as if done with an AK, and
rolled two or three feet from the body.
Blood spirited high on the uprights of
the scatfold. OF course death was in
Simultaneous. The rope was amply stout
to bear him, who weighed $50 pounds,
and the drop was not too long but he
had small neck for SO large body,
and it was supposed this was the cause
of the decapitation.
Physicians were alone Immediately
allowed to approach the remains, DR..
McWilliams being first to feel for pulsa-
ton in the corpse. Or. Crook removed
the head from its black development
The heart beat for five minutes and the
lips moved slightly. After being picked
up it was found that Il remarkable clean
cut just below the chin, and passing
close under the ears, had severed the
head just under the last vertebrn. An
iron cot was procured and the body |
placed on it, while Drs. Carroll, Morgan
and Crook, under che direction OF DR.. |
McWilliams, sewed the head on In
the course OF this operation it was per-
ceived that the skin was peculiarly thin |
and tender, being no more difficult to
pierce with needle than an infants.
l nder the skin there was larger offat |
or adipose tissue about an inch in thick
ness, while the spine was remarkably
'lender Bleeding was singularly slight
OF with the exception of the streams
which spirited from the neck and be-
'pattcred the scahold in all directions,
lot more than quart was shed. Drs.
Noble, Young, Eliot, Newlan and other
physicians made caref.l
Examination of the body while still dis.
rendered and pronounced it truly
Extraordinary Instance OF weakness of
issue in a vigorous looking middle-aged
!dult. The body was turned over to his
riends for burial Rochester Herald
Polly: Well, Pat, what is it now
Would ye rather look bigger fool than
e are, or be bigger fool than you lool,l
Pat Sure, now, my darlint, III be
10Th till l find which side of the argi-
mint yer on yerself, whin, by iabbers,
ii join We, right or wrong.