Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-05

Within the Recollection Of AN
Old Stager--aHow IL Feels 20 be
Hanged.

ant" remarked DR.. Marable to q rep
reseutative of this paper yesterday,
but on the contrary, it is extremely
pleasant. | have it from a man who
was hanged three times. Of course
those whose necks are broken never
know what hurt them, but it is Of the
others | speak. The practical surgeon
knows this fact. Drowning has long
been regarded as an extremely agree.
able method Of shutting off this NOR
tai coil, and there is no doubt that
strangulation by the other method-a
hemp rope-produces like results.
You remember the great Nashville
sensation in which Ned Buntline fig
ured-no | reckon not either, for that
was way back in the %forties, forty-six
l believe. Buntline, the sensational
writer you know, whose real name is
Judson, or some such name, had a row
with a prominent man named Porter
field about the l%atter's wife. Porter.
field shot at Judson three times, and
was about to fire again when Judson
said, If you do that again I'll put a
bullet right through your head Por-
ter6eld paid no attention to his
remark, but fred the fourth time, the
last bullet, like the others, going
wide Of the mark. Judsen raised
his elbow to a level with his face and
resting his pistol upon it, took good
aim and fred. The ball penetrated
Porterfeld's brain and he fell dead to
the ground. Then somebody found
Porterfeld's brother, put a pistol in
his hand and told him to avenge the
murder. He shot at Judson twenty
times while the latter was running up
the Capitol steps, and missed every
shot. The mob finally caught Judson
and resolved to hang him. Taking
him to a house close by which was in
process of construction, they threw a
rope wei one ofthe rafters and strung
him up. Thrice he was strung up
in succession, and cut down under the
impression that he was dead. His leg
was broken by the last fall and he
was unconscious. The mob left him
for dead, and kind friends took him
and succeeded in restoring lie. II
saw him afterwards at Louisville, Ky,
some time in '49, and had a long talk
with him about the affair. He told
me that the few moments he hung
each time were the most deliriously
delightful of his whole life. Beauti-
full lights danced before his eyes, Of
all hues aud shades, many Of them
like those produced by the chemical
burning of watch springs. The most
gorgeous panoramas passed in review
before him, each more entrancingly
beautiful and distinct than the last
Exquisite landscapes, snow capped
mountains, green clad valleys and
sporting springs Of sparkling water
filled him with ecstacy. His whole
soul was enthrslled with rapture by
the beauties which lay spread out be-
fore his gaze. So wrapped up was he
in contemplating these scenes that he
hated the moment the rope was
severed and the sweet illusions
dispelled. The pain came afterward
when his throat swelled from the
effects of the rope upon it, and he was
unable to swallow. But, then, | am
content with every day scenery" the
Doctor won't on, as he tipped his
chair back and selected a new sub.
ject.
we were speaking Of death by
drowning" he said. THAT reminds
me of a remarkable thing | witnessed
near Clarksville, Tenn, once when
the celebrated preacher DR.. Hanna
and | were fishing in a small stream.
The water was low and left what
fishermen call holes in which the
fish collected. These holes were
sometimes a quarter Of a mile apart,
and the water between was very shall
How, not more han six inches deep in
some places. While we were waiting
for nibble | heard a noise in the
bushes, and, looking up, saw a negro
boy named Lewis, who belonged to
old Q. G. Atkeson, and whom l knew
had run away several days before. lie
was bounding through the bushes like
a deer. What's the matter, Lewis2'
| asked. They are alter me with the
! dogs, and I'm going to drown myself,
he answered, and | saw him run on a
short distance further, and, getting
: down on his knees, stick his head il
the water where it was not more thar
six inches deep. l thought he wal
only f%ooliDg, and paid no more atten
ton to him, until his pursuers cam,
up a few moments afterward ant
asked me If l had seen him. Yes
yonder he u.s. I answered, pointing t.
him; he is making believe that he j
drowning himself They hurried OIL
L and found him with his face in tn