Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1880-03-13
The Execution of Kilgorc.


MEXICO, Mo-, March 5.-Walker
kilgore to-day suffered the extreme
penalty of the law for the murder of
l.. Dow Willingham, in this county,
on the 9th day OF January, 1879. AS
it was the first legal hanging that ever
occurred in Audrain county, az a
matter of course it attracted II vast
coucourse of people. Crowds began
ing, and by 10 o'clock to day the
Persons came fifty miles on horse
brought from 100 to 500 people. Ten
aud Chief OF Police Potts paraded
went off quietly, not a row occurring
closed by mutual consent of the pro-
prietors. and no drunkenness was
visible Oh the streets. The crowd
around the gallows, which was erect
ed east of the city limits, was vari-
ously estimated at from 5000 to 5000
! persons. The scatfold was made OF
seasoned lumber, and had u platform
eight ieet square OH frame six feet
high. Two timbers, sixteen feet long,
were erected on
EACH SIDE OF THE PLATFORM,
seven steps leading from the ground
up to it. Around the scaffold was q
space, forty feet square, inclosed by
q wire fence, aud none but the doc
tors and newspaper reporters were
admitted inside. Last night Kilgore
did not eat any supper, nor this morn.
ing any breakfast until after he had
taken communion at the Catholic
church. His half-brOther was with
him last night, aud slept with him in
his cell. Hs received company in the
parlor of the Jail until II O'Clock
last evening, listening to music and
shaking hands with friends. seeming
to be i'll the best OF spirits. When
kilgore went i'll TO shake hands with
the other prisoners, Nath. Faucet
sentenced to be hanged on April I'd
said, "Walker. intercede with God
Almighty for Muldrow and me; lie
alone can save us, and for our sake
do all you can i'll heaven for u.s." A,
12:45 O'Clock the prisoner was takeI
from the jail i'll closed carriage, il
company with Fathers O'Leary ant
Stack. Sheriff GIascock and Derut.
Hooten. Twelve guards came next
in an open wagon, being followed by
about 1000 men and boys.
THE PROCESSION OF DEATH
moved down Liberty street slowly
followed by the vast throng. On th'
way down Kilgore talked but little
and then only 10 his spiritua! advis
ers. Al 1:10 o'clock he assembled tn,
scatfoid with firm and steady step
He repeated after the priests in
clear, audible voice, the devotiona
exercises, which were very impres
sive. He said, just before tine dro,
. fell and after he had repeated tn
! Lords Prayer: "Into Tly hands, {
God. commend my soul" AT 1:2
) O'Clock the sheriff read the dealt
warrant to him. Kiigore did no
, look at the crowd, but kept his eve
. fixed on the cross. AT 1:2S o'clocI
=. Sheriff Glascock tied kilgore's hand
and feet, adjusted the rope aud pu
on the black cap. kilgore then bi,
. all goodbye, the priest knelt besid
l him, ami exactly at 1:34 O'Clock III
+ sheriff sprung the trap and the dro
B. fell with Il sickening thud. Sherii
g, GiascOck, although man Of nerve
e bowed his head and tears lricklc
i down his cheek. The murderer die
e without struggle and
WHEN THE DROP FELL
the body swung round and round ,no
a muscle moving or any twitching c
the body being visible. Seyentee
c minutes after the drop fell Drs. Ru:
t sell and French pronounced hiI
: dead, and after the body had bee
c hanging exactly thirty minutes
= was cut down by the sheriff, place
c in the coffin which was in waitin
o and given to Ki!gore's half-brothel
t The body will be buried according t
4 ki!gore's own direction. He said h
e wanted to be buried in the old Ba
e nett graveyard, by the side of h
e mother. The graveyard is abor
+ three miles north of this city. Ill
IS neck was instantly broken, and h
IS died very easily. His tongue W:
h cllnched between his teeth, cutting
$ slightly. and his eyes remained ope
Y after death. Walker Kilgore was IL
IS calmcst man that ever put foot on
e gallows. The only stimulant he too
u was Il little wine just before leavir
Is the Jail. which was given TO him /
:. Father OLeary. lie had great fail