Morning journal and courier., 1880-05-29
fsoarnal allo Courier.
Saturday Morning, May 29, 1880.
Local News.
For other Local News see Second Page.l
Hamlin's Execution.


 For other Local News see Second Page.l
 Hamlin's Execution. The Last Scenes-Tbe Condemned Mans
 Firmness--His Spir ritual and Physical
 Condition-His Nerve-Last WOrds-The
 Hangfng-What is Known of His His-
 tory.
 Hamlin was hung yesterday at Hartford iail at 11:40 o'clock. He met death with for titude and resignation. During his last night he was guarded from intrusion by his watch men, who had with them also mastiff. He did not essay to sleep until long after mid night, and spent his waking hours in writing, meditation and conversation. His spiritual attendant, the Very Rev. Father Hughes, was with him for two hours in the early part of the evening, leaving him at p. m. He talked frequently during the night to Deputies Fenn and Won Wettberg, who were of the 'sdeath watch" He seemed cool and collect ed. At about quarter to one he sought his pallet and lay down, first enjoining his keep CTS to wake him by o'clock He was soon in deep slumber. During the evening people hung about in the vicinity of the jail talking about the impending gallows scene and eager to hear anything which they might chance to learn about the prisoner or the arrangements for the hanging. At a. m. Deputy Fenn went in to awaken the condemned man. but he had just got his eyes open himself. ''Woke up in time, didn't I ?" he said, adding good morning to those about him. He set to work to perform his toilet, over which he spent considerable time. He, to all appearances, was as calm as ever, and displayed no nerv- ousness while. in the performance of his customary morning duties. He took no breakfast but busted himself with morning devotions, after which he wrote little and then made 8 disposition of the effects which have ornamented his cell. Friends sent to him a number of floral offer- ings Thursday night, and these he smelled of Thursday morning and remarked on their fra grance. At o'clock the Rev. Father Hughes and two assistants came to the prison chapel, whither Hamlin was conducted by the prison officials. Then the sacrament of the Lords Supper administered to him for the last time, and after this low mass for the dying was said, there being music by a vocal sextette at his request, and entirely con- trary to the usual custom. The service was very impressive and the priests who were in l attendance were very much affected, more so 1 than was the condemned man, who main tained his usual composure, and after the proceedings, which lasted half an hour, he | showed great nerve and fortitude Beside the clergy, there were at the service Sheriff Seymour and several of his deputies, Assist ant Editor Belden and City Editor Burr of the Hartford Times and Reporter Fenn of the Hartford Post. After his return to his cell he became more nervous, and for the first time since the death sentence was pro- nounced upon him showed signs of excita- bility and nervousness. He showed increased signs of nervousness the time for the exc cution drew near. He now asked for his breakfast. He ate sparingly, and what re- mained untouched he sent to fellow prison CT to whom he had become much attached, one Frederick Killenberger, awaiting trial on a charge of forgery.
 As early as 10 o'clock the neighboring housetops in the vicinity of the jail whence the scaffo1d could be seen began to grow black with people waiting to see the prisoner swing of. By this time the police force, 15 men, had arrived, also dozen deputies de- tailed by Sheriff Seymour. Six of the po- licemen were assigned to duty inside the jail enclosure, the rest outside Among Hamlin's last visitors were his lawyers, T. E. Steele and Roger Welles, with whom he shook hands and exchanged good byes.
 In reply to MT. Welles as to his feelings, he said he thought he was going to Heaven. The lawyer said 'sWell, you've got the con- solation that you are not to be hung for your l own act, wholly" to which Hamlin solemnly 1 replied q can say here, and at this last moment, that to the best of my knowledge and belief did not kill him (Shipman). That's Gods truth. I can't say Allen did it, but I'm satisfied did not do it knowingly If did kill him know nothing about it.' At this time 15O persons provided with passes to the death scene were in waiting at the sherif's ofice which could hold but few more. All was quiet, without pushing or con- fusion. At 11:1O the reporters, physicians, officers and spectators in general who formed l the throng in waiting were admitted to the jail enclosure Among them was Quong Xxi l Gnu, member of the Chinese Educational Commission, who was attired in white, cool | flowing robes. He stood with uncovered head. His back hair was worn in a queue It was more serious orderly throng than l that present at the Hoyt hanging. Father Hughes was at this time with Hamlin perform ! ing his churchly offices. The sheriff read the 1 death warrant, Hamlin being inside the bars. | Hamlin remarked, 1.-The word hang oc- | cured often in that" His arms were now | pinioned, and at 11:29 there was a cry from | the police, Hats off '" Hamlin was in close | conversation with his spiritual attendant a | few moments more, at the close of which he exclaimed to the sheriff, 'tAn right; go on i; | I am ready" The solemn procession, con- | sisting of the High Sheriff, Hamlin, Father | Hughes, Father Lynch, and Deputies Pack ! ard and Fenn, now moved to the scaffold Hamlns step firm and he did not waver 1 The party being assembled on the scaffold | the sheriff asked Hamlin if he had any last I words to offer. Hamlin, with a firm, steady ! voice, said:
 q want to return my thanks to all of those l who have befriended me since I have been
 confined in jail. The fact is we had no in
 tention of killing MT. Shipman or of doing ! him any bodily harm on the night he was
 killed. haven't at this moment the least bit
 of ill will against any one who had anything
 to do with this case or with bringing me here
 where I stand to-day. I forgive them all,
 freely and fully, and hope God will forgive
 me as freely as I forgive them"
 ! As he uttered the last few words he raised
 his eyes toward heaven; and there was on his
 features beseeching and imploring look,
 combined with one of intense mental agony,
 which it is utterly impossible to describe, and which none but those who saw it can
 imagine It was to all appearances the one | trying ordeal through which he had to pass. | After he finished his remarks he turned to
 Sheriff Seymour and in an undertone said,
 ''That is all"
 Father Hughes then advanced to the con
 demned man and exchanged very few words
 with him in whispers. Hamlin kissed the
 cruciix of black and gold which the priest carried in his hands. Then Father Hughes
 kissed Hamlin on both cheeks, shook hands,
 said Good bye, poor fellow" and the two priests left the scaffold
 Deputy Sheriff Fenn then pinioned Ham,
 lin's arms from the back, while Deputy Sher-
 if Packard strapped his legs above and below
 the knees. In doing so he accidentally drew | Hamlin slightly around, which caused the condemned man to turn and look down upon him ho dSofo hon