davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1881-07-26

around his neck and the knot drawn
closely. Then while the vast assemblage
held their breath and death-like stiffness,
the sheriff raised the Ratchet and
said: John w. Patterson, may God
have mercy on vOur sOnl." The
hatchet descended, hitting the block with
muffied sound, and the murderer OF
James &. Clark had paid the penalty Of
his crime. The death struggle was fear
ful. The arms were lifted from the sides
and come down against the ribs with con-
siderable force. The breast heaved con-
vulsively. The legs were drawn up to-
ward the body several times. Every mus
Gle twitched violently, and as the last strug-
gle took place the body. bound as it was,
swung to and fro. DIR. W. +. Boyer, Of Sc
dalia, then felt the pulse, the beats being
reported as follows:
PCLSATIONS.
The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1881-07-26

/ mere was large number present. IL f.
estimated that over eight thousand people
were i'm the city. Last evening the hotels
were filled. people We're arriving OH every
train, and those from the country had
Come i'm wagons and were encamped i'm the
woods west Of the city limits and in the
vicinity of the scaffold. The train leaving
Sedalia at 4:50 last evening was filled to
replerion. Every available seat held two
and three persons, the aisles were crowded
and many were standing ON the platforms.
People were strolling in groups to the spot
heyond the western limits of the city,
where, near puriing brook the scaffold
lifted its hideOus form against the blue
beyond On the north and east rolling
hills, crowned with forest trees, bounded
the view; to the west and south were forest
trees and green fields, while a curious
crowd surrounded the scaffold, examining
with morbid curiosity the trap and the
workings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE sCAFFOLD.
About quarter west of the city limbs is
the spot chosen where John w. Patterson
should suffer the penalty of his crime. II
is l2x12 feet in dimensions, facing north
From the east broad pair OF steps led
up from the ground to
the platform. The trap is Of
the block STYLE Beveled edges surround
three sides of the opening, upon which the
trap lightly rests, a rope passing under
meath supports it in position, running
from the west to the east side. At the east
edge it runs through a hole in the floor
to block over which it passes, being
drawn tight and pressing firmly against
the block. When the signal is given, a
blow from Ratchet sewers the rope, the
trap falls and the prisoner drops into
eternity. 1t is curious coincidence that
the same implement that took Clarke's
life, should send his murderer to the judg-
ment bar.
PATTERsON's LAST NIGHT.
4 BAzOO representative in company
with other members of the press, called at
the Jail and asked to see Patterson. The
request was readily granted, the visitors
were admitted to the interior of the Jail
and Patterson, who was in his cell, was
asked to step out in the corridor for few
moments. He came out dressed in hick-
rolled up and the muscular arms were
plainly exposed. In his left hand he car
ried a palm leaf fam His eyes had glar-
pleasant to contemplate. He rested his
left hand on the iron bars of the cage and
calmly looked at the interviewers.
How do you feel, Mr.. Patterson? was
the first question asked.
"Oh, very WE'LL"
You are bracing up for the work before
You, are you not?"
YES"
"Have you had minister to see you
yeti"
The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1881-07-26

who said on his death bed that he had
murdered 4 man north ON the prairie,
whose name was Clark.
PATrERsON's STRANGE STRAW STILL IN
SIGHT.
II Will he remembered that We published
two weeks ago, a statement made To Pat
terson through the Jail window on the
18th, relative To confession made nj
CRANKY in Newton county, by a man ON
his death bed The statement n published
was sent to Hon. NJ. +. Benton, prosecut-
ing attorney of that county, who in reply
sends the following postal cards:
NEosHo, July IL, 1881.
Editors Henry County Democrat:
/ have taken pains tn inquire about
GRANNY, and lind that T. Il. Morrison once
lived there and now lives in Romeo, Green
county, Tenn. ] could lind no one who
had heard III diving man making the con-
fession referred To- in the printed slip sent
me.
Respectfully.
~ +. BENTON.
NEnsHO, July ~, 1881.
Editors Henry County Democrat:
On further inquiry ! find that a man
named HalfOrd died i'm CRANKY few
wears ago who confessed to killing Clark
ON the open prairie north Of here years
ago, and that he made 4 confession III the
fact to +. Il. Morrison and others. Some
gentlemen who have been looking up the
matter for me think that the execution
should he STAYED for a month until the
links can Ike worked out. II Patterson was
convicted ON circnmstantial evidence, a
respite should Ike given and an opPor-
iuniiy given to see if by any possibility
he is not guilty,
NJ f.. BENTON.
APPLICATION FOR RESPITE.
c. McBeth went To Jefferson this morning
to try to get a stay Of execution, carrying
letters and a statement (which Is lie)
made by Patterson. The result il, the fol-
lowing telegram will explain:
Jefferson City, July 2I.-5:aO p. NJ
Governor Crittcnden positively refuses 10
interfere.
The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1881-07-26
The Press Gang.

Badges of red ribbon with the word
Pres printed thereon in black, had been
prepared for the reporters and were furn-
ished them by the Mes>rs. Lingle, Of the
Democrat, who did everything possible to
aid them. The daiiies III St. Louis, Kan
sas City, Sedalia and other cities were
present and the sheriff and his attendants
were nnremitiing in their efforts to furnish
the knights Of the quill with all the needed
Information.
THE RULING PASSION.
Not long since Patterson asked permits
sion Of w. J. Ellison, deputy sheriS to
have timepiece placed SO that he could
see the time Of day, as the hours flew by
that bore him nearer to the eternal. The
deputy accordingly hung his watch where
the prisoner could easily see it. The time.
piece hung there for few days and then
disappeared. A search revealed the fact
that Patterson had secured a small stick
and fastened bent pin in the end of it.
With this he reached the watch and took
it into his cell. When discovered, he had
done it up in q small box and was going
to send il to his home in Illinois to his
son. When questioned about the matter
he answered that it had been given to him
by friend from Montrose to send to his
boy.
The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1881-07-26

On the expiration ri the thirteenth min
ute life was pronounced extinct. The
body Was then cut down, placed in a
plain coffin and taken away for burial.
APPEARANCE OF THE BODY.
When cut down the face was much
cong,>ted, presenting a purple appearance
while Il vivid mark around
the throat showed where the rope had
pressed. Patterson's wife had been tele-
graphed to in regard to the disposition
Of the remains, but mp To the time the
train lett no answer had been received.
STONY HEART.
When Rev. Mr. Pearce came down from
the steps Of the scafiold he was asked by a
bvstander If he thought Patterson was in
fit condition To die, and ii he would die
happy. Mr. Pearce replied that he
thought Patterson would die happy, but
il he ever saw a man with a
heart of stone, Patterson was the man.
THE PREPARATION.
Great care has been taken IL make every
thing work smoothly and there was no hitch
i'm any Of the the arrangements. The trap
had been creased and the sheriff and his
assistance went through with their work
as though they were not new at that kind
OF business. \ large and strong rope had
been placed around the Scafiold, and the
posse was stationed around with arms to
keep back the crowd and then it was with
difficulty that they were kept back even
then. As Patterson's body shot
through the trap. few women faint
ed, but the sight before the people
was too thrilling for them TO pay any at
;cniiOn To- the women. They soon recov-
cred when they found they could not be
attended To-.
THE FINALE.
The last scene has been enacted, the
majesty If tie law has been vindicated. and
the crime III John w. Patterson has been
avenged. In the presence of thousands Of
people the murderer paid with his life the
penalty ior his horrid crime.
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE
\ few days since i, WAS discovered that
he had bottle OF hair die, one drop OF
which would prove certain death to the
man who swallowed it. This he had man
aged To- hide from the sight of his keepers
bv tving string around the neck Of the
bottle and letting il hang down the escape
pipe ci the water closet When ii was
discovered and taken away, he wept like a
child He then begged his guards to
shoot him or kill him i'm any way they
choose but not To let him die on the gal
lows. lie was then asked ii there was any
thing he wished He said there was moth
ing ne desired now OH Gods green earth
but To have a barber come down and shave
him once more before his death. \ barber
was then taken To the iail and Pattersons
hands. feet and head were tied So he could
not move and in that way, by sudden
movement while the razor was OH his face
manage To cut his throat.
The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1881-07-26

During the reading, Patterson nervously
fingered his handkerchief, and an occa-
siOnal sob would break from his breast.
He was evidently making a determined
effort to keep up his nerve. His eyes
would occasionally water with unshed
tears as he probably thought Of his wife
and child,
INTO ETERNITY.
At 11:4O the sheriff led him to the trap
upon which he took his stand. He stood,
looking out on the people unfiinchingly as
he was bound and the black cap was drawn
over his head. The moose was then placed
The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1881-07-26

81 desire to thank you, Mr.. Hopkins,
and you, Messr. Fyke and McEeth, and
the rest Of my friends, for the manifold
kindnesscs YOU have shown nc"
lie then shook hands with those upon
the scafiold, bidding them all long good
bye. Sheriff Hopkins then read the death
warrant rs follows:
The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1881-07-26
THE CRIME.

The crime for which John w. Patterson
was hanged at Clinton to day was one
Of the most cold blOoded and foul murders
ever recorded in the the annals Of crime.
In December, 1868, James Clark, a farmer
residing near Roscoe, in st. Clair county,
was making some improvements on his
place, and il being necessary that he should
obtain some lumber, that he could not pro-
cure nearer home, he came to Sedalia, to
obtain il. While in Sedalia he met a
young man named John w. Patterson, who
applied to him for job. As the young
fellow had team Clark hired him to haul
the lumber to his farm, and accordingly
one morning they
LEFT sEDALIA TOGETHER.
The roads were soft and very muddy, and
their progress was necessarily slow. While
in Sedalia. Clark exhibited large roll Of
money. This excited Patterson's cupidity,
and he resolved to have the money, no
matter at what cost. Patterson's mind was
kept busy as they PlOdded along the miry
The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1881-07-26

GONE TOCLORY!
The Angel of Death Speeds His
Black Wings Over
Clinton.
The Ready Rope Swings John
w. Patterson Into the
Dark Unknown
And James G. Clark, the Muir
dered Man is Amply
Avenged.
In the Presence Of Five Thou
sand People, Patterson Ex-
plates His Crime on
the Scaffold.
Young in Years, But Ripe in
Crime, His Soul Has Gone
to Meet That of His
Victim at the Judg-
ment Bar.
Strenuous Efforts Were Made
to Obtain a Communication
of the Death Sentence,
But.Without Avail.
At IL o'clock the Drop Falls and
Patterson Sinks, with Sick
ening Jerk, Into the Misty
Beyond.
Everything Works Smoothly, and
the Author of a Horrible Crime
assent Across the Styx with
Thorough Dispatch.
A Full History of the Damnable
Crime and Complete Details Of
the Execution Laid Before
the Thousand Readers
Of the "Bazoo.''
The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1881-07-26
Patterson.

yesterday evening-fOund him sitting in
one corner tanning himself. He seemed
very much excited from heat and his men,
tai troubles. A great change has taken
place in him in the last two or three days !;
when on Wednesday morning he had a
change of cells from the one that he had
formerly occupied since his imprisonment
he broke completely down, and asked for
a minister and began praying.
When he was removed from one cell to
another, and his cell that he formerly &C.
cupied was examined, there was found by
Deputy Sheriff Ellser a small box adj
dressed to Patterson's son in Illinois.
Patterson requested the officer not to open
it. Some three weeks before this little
son of the sheriff had placed his watch in
such position outside Of the cell that
Patterson could see the time of day, having
been requested to do SO by Patterson, The
box above mentioned was opened
by the officers and found to
contain the watch of j.. young
Hopkins in which Patterson had addressed
note to his son in Illinois, stating that
this was the last thing his father could
leave him; that it was . gift from his
prison mate, johnson. After he was re-
moved he seemed to think of his future
until he, last night, received intelligence
from Newton county that there had
killed there about five years ago man
The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1881-07-26

CONTINUED on Sixth Page. ]
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-02-05
Sewers weather and Snow Storms.

The snow storm Of Monday GBd Tuesday
was very general throughout the north ana
west and as far south as the James River 10
Ia New York city Monday night the mer-
cnry vas four degrees below zero and the
wind had velocity Of % miles an hour The
snow was binding.
In Illinois the snow was not very deep hue
drilled so badly as TO block the railroads
throughout the State. A strong east wind
The storm in Ohio was almost unparalleled
in severity. Trains due at Cleveland were
Ave hours late.
In Michigan the snow was very deep aud
trains we're delayed everywhere.
A dispatch from Barnet, Vermont, says -
The first train over the Portland and 0gdens-
burg railroad since last Thursday week reach
ed ST. Johnsbury Tuesday night Inc tram
was drawn by four engines, to two OF which
we're attached snow pillow. High winds pre-.
vail Tuesday, and in all probability there will
not be another train OYER the road for several
days.
Very cold weather and heaSy SHOWS are re-
norted in the interior of New York. At
Poughkeepsie about 80 ice cutters we're frost
bitten.
Snow fell in the upper part of Virginia and
rain and sleet prevailed in the southern part
There we're severe snow storms IN Colorado
last week, blockading travel, &e.
A terrific snow storm, with high winds, pre-
vailed at Victoria, British Columbia, on Sat
urday. In the county districts the snow was
three feet deep on level, and along the coast
it p;led in huge drifts.
Twelve hshing smacks have been wrecked
at Stables D'Olonne, in the Be- Of Biscay, and
forty-six men drowned
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-02-05
better able to answer than the ADvocATB.

better able to answer than the ADVOCATE.
They were of his choosing.
Patronage" says the Sun, sis the fyin the
ADvocATE's ointment" The assertion is q
speculation, with less than suspicion to sustain
it, and the imputation is not worthy of that
journal The ADVOCATE, though party jour
nal, does not placeparty above egeneralgood
When party has patronage to dispense, par
ty services should be secondary considera-
ton. Honesty and efficiency should be the
first test. The ADVOCATE would not maintain
any system upon political grounds. 1t don't
believe in feeding people at public expense
because they are partisans. Besides, the
Democratic party is not held together by pa
tronage. The principles Of the party are the
underlying principles upon which the repnb-
lie is founded, and principle is the cohesive
power. The Democratic party has been beat
en- for twenty years, and has had no special
patronage to dispense, but it has not disinte-
grated. AT each recurring election it shows
increased strength, and now numbers IN its
ranks, more than a million majority OF the
white voters of the country. The patronage
Of the party in Maryland is not enjoyed ex-
clusiyely by members of the Democratic par
tv. for in many counties Republicans are
holding office by Democratic appointment.
The ADVOCATE sustains the present system be-
cause ii is advantageous to large class ofour
citizens, and disadvantageous to none, except,
perhaps, spectators, and because State in
speciians, we believe, viii soon become a
source of revenue to the State, and will help
to lessen taxation on real and personal pro-
perry. The planters, themselves, or nearly
all of them, desire the reteRtion of the State
system, and they are presumed to know their
own interest
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-02-05
TRUSTEES SALE
% FARg % rae
Personal Estate Of Elijah Wagner,
InsolVeut.

DY virtse OF zn order d The Cire4a Coars
ID fo- Carroll county, the undersigned,
Trustee Of Elijah Wagner, an lnsolvcni, Will
sell r. Public Sale, ~ ibe Moa,ogs House, il
the city Of Westminster, on
Friigy, fte ISA 10y efFs5suary, T. D 1881,
al 10 o'clock, 4. NJ, the following Personal
Property, to.vii :--One ihreshinz machine
SO s.eTqtea shaker, one gam feeder sFaia
drill With guEno attachment, one gum feeder
single grain aFiIi, tao Montgomery wheat
fans, spFinE-t aoth horse rakes, ) sal4ll spasl
corn shelters, floor jacks, 3 three horse
Price pIows, 3 plag pious, lwo.hosse Price
pillow.
Purchasers aasi comply with terms Of sale
before the property can be removed.
TegHs Of Sale All sums under SO cash;
on all suns Of SO and upward credit OF
four months will be given, purchasers to give
ihsi' Hol@s ~iIE approved ssUafiiy bearing al
tsresi from DAY Of sale-or purchasers pre-.
fering to pay the cash. can do so.
CHARLES b. ROBERTS, Trastes
of Elijah Wagner, an Insolyent.
feb SITS r. c. Matthews, Auctioaeer.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-02-05
Editorial Notes.

A number of leading dry goods dealers
of Baltimore are asking congress, through
Senator Whyte, to enact national bank
rupt law.
The winter Of lSs0Sl viii b. remem-
bered as Que Of the seyerest Of the nine
teenth century. The cold weather set in
about the 22d of November, and, with the
exception Of an occasional moderate day,
has been quite severe ever since. Sleigh
ing has been continuous for about scven
weeks IN the upper part of Maryland, ADD
in various parts Of the South snow has
fallen where the oldest inhabilaut ucyer
saw It before. Navigation closed unusual
" early il the North, aud heavy snowiaIls
have greatly imPeded railroad travel aud
traffic.
Congress will proceed to count the elee-
toraI vote on Wednesday next. There
will be no controversy over the votes Of
the States, except, perhaps, that Of 'ieor-
gia.
The land troubles in Ireland still excite
interes, in England What win be the
outcome cannot now be forctold- Tie
Irish people, led by agi,ators who are
serving their own ends merely, seem to be
ready for anything, whilst parliament for
several weeks has been trying to cure
matters by legislation.
\ New York lawyer, who has been in
vestieatius the matter, claims that vice
president-elect Arthur IS Ineligible to the
office, by reason Of his having been born
in Canada and not having been natural
lied. Mr.. Arthur claims to be native
of Vermont. but a search Of the records
in the county which he designated as hay
ing the honor Of being his birth place
failed TO discover any traces Of his family.
II is likely that Mr.. Arthur 'growed,
ike ToPsy.
\ liule pious OSCILLATION has been prae-
iced between the Rev Benjamin G Nil.
Ter. Of the Reformed Church, aud Mrs
Williams, Of The Baptist Church, At Rox-
bury, Massachusetts, and all Roxtury is
up III arms about it, just as if the Apostle
Paul had not exhor,ed the faithful to
greet each other with holy Kiss Mr..
Williams, the lady's husband, says Il Is oil
right. bat that does not satisfy wicked
and eaiDsayssg sorll. Roxbury Is ran
pant.
The colored Republicans IT Maryland
demand Of toe incoming administration
ons.half of the subordinate federal Offices
in Maryland, and three presidential ap-
pointmeuts, iasludiag collector Of the port
Of Baltimore.
There is probability Of a war between
Greece aad Turkey. Greece has sent
troops TO the frontier, and Turkish trans-
ports are conveying 27,OOO men to the
Gulf Of Yolo. By the decisions Of the
Berlin Congress, Turkey lost considerable
/ of her territory and If England, By rea-
son Of trouble at home, should be unable
| to sustain the POsIs, thu whole Of Turkey
in Europe viii be divided among the sthss
powers. Russia desires 10 have control Of
the Bosphorous, but Germany, Austria,
and France will not permit this, even it
England is powerless to interfere, without
corresponding compensation ia eessions
Of TERRITORY, Russia IS already powerful
natioo, and ale oihog gOseTp@eets Of Eu.
rope are watching her movements, that
she may not gain too much power and To-
/ n1anna
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-02-05
Ratification Notice.

In ihe Orphans Court Of Carroll CaaAly!
DEcENBEE TERH, 1850.
Estate Of David W. Hoaek, d eceased.
nN application It is ordered this 3lst day
~ of January, 1891. that the sale OF part OF
the real estate of David ". Houek, late OF
Carroll county, deceased, made by Francis T..
Houcs, Andrew J. Houck and NEIGHBOUR +.
Allgire, Executors Of the last viii and tesla.
ment OF said deceased, aud this day reported
to this Court by the said Executor be ratified
and confirmed, unless cause be shown TO the
contrary, before the 9th day of March, next;
provided II copy Of this order be inserted for
three successive weeks in son2 newspaper
printed and published in Carroll coan,y, be-
iOte the gsgh' day of February next.
The Executors report the sale of two par
GELS of land, containing together p acres, 5
roods and Is perches Of land, more or less,
situated IN Carroll county, resold az the risk
of Lewis l.. Houck, the former purchaser, at
private sale for the sum Of $4,000.
GRANVILLE I. Herring, !
WILLIAM FalEELL, Judges.
NEIGHBOUR +, ALLGIRE, J
True coPy,-Test;
j. OLIVER NADL0W,
feb SGT Register of Wills.
The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-02-05
TRUSTEES SALE
or VALUABLE
Brick Dwelling and Building Lots
IA he Ctr of Hrs'missfer. III

TilE undersigned, Trustees, by viRue OF
L a deed Of ,rnst from Thomas II. Banker;
and wife to them, recorded among the Land
Records Of Carroll Couuty. Maryland will
offer at PGbls Sale. 10 the highest bidder. on
Monday, The aStA day Of February 1851
at O'Clock, r. NJ, al the right, tile and in
terest being \ one half interest Of Thomas
H. Baukeri, in and to the following property,
situate on Greea Street. IN the city Of West.
minister, Maryland.
First, Lot Of I.aad containing Oae Quar-
ter Of an Acre, more or less, Improved hy 8
large two.sfnry Dseiiing House A ~ -
With back building sud porch. &aI-AS
and pump az the door. ~ ~,
Second, Three Building Lots 49,
adjoining toe FIRST lot aud contiguous to each
other, each containing Oac Quarter 81 al
Acre, more or less
The interest II Frarcis H. Bankert, vh1
holds the other interest IN said property herein
described. uiil BE- sold by BIS Trustees az the
same iime aud place, ihas the full and eut,sg
title wili pass 70 the purchaser or parchaser.
on the DAY Of sale.
TsrHss AZ Sale, ore, --0ne thisl cash Oh th,
day Of sale or on the ratification thereof by
the Court; the ba'ancr in two equal paym sGti
Of = and IS mouths from day ii sale. ths
credit payments TO be secured by the holes %
the purehaEer or Purchasers vith approved
srcuriiy bearing interest from the DAY Of sale
BARBARA a. GREEN OOD,
JAS. A. T. BOND,
Trustees.
feb Z, {. Matthews, AaC,ioeser.