Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-07-19
The Execution Of Eagan at
Sioux Falls.
special to the sioux cry Journal.

Il T
Thomas Egan was hanged at 9:37
this morning. The procession en-
tered the place Of execution from
the jail in the following order: Dep
uty United States Marshal Gray, Of
Fargo, and Sheriff Baker Of Yank-
ton; District Attorney Carter OF
anton. sheEiff Dickson Of Sioux
Fails and Sheriff Wadsworth Of
Madison Next came Rev. Fathers
h c. Lenehan 81 Sioux City,sC. J.
Knauff Of Adrian, John Brogan OF
/ vermillion and W., M. Maher OF
Sioux Falls. Following them came
| the condemned man, assisted by
/ Sheriff Dixon Of Canton.
Egan walked to the scaffold with
1 an unfaltering step,
/ sHewINa NO SIGN OF FEAR,
and seeming entirely oblivious to
the proceedings. The only time he
spoke after leaving the Jail was to
/ answer "No' to the sheriff7s inquiry
If he had anything to say. His lips
were constantly moving as if in
prayer.
Il Al 1886 his arms and legs were
pinioned and the black cap drawn
over his head, and after the attend
ing priests had read the appropriate
service Sheriff Dickson sprung the
trap. The body shot down through
the opening, but to the horror Of all
beholders the rope broke, and the
body struck the ground with u heavy
and sickening thud. Exclamations
of horror broke from the crowd
fof spectators at the awful sight.
The attendants quickly picked him
up, and, uttering fearful groans, he
was carried up to the platform.
| At 1881, new rope having been
| placed around his neck, the trap
was again sprung, but this time one
Of the attendants had hold of the
rope, and instead Of letting 60, hung
on to it and let the body down grad
| ually, Notwithstanding the cries of
"Let go!" from the spectators.
A second time he was brought up
and placed on 9he tray. This time
Sheriff Dickson ordered them all to
stand back, and at $40
SPRUNG THE TRvP FOR THE THIRD
TINE,
! completing the painful job as it
ought to have been at first. The
drop was FIVE and a half feet.
In nine minuter the attending
physicians pronounced him dead,
and in twenty three-midutes, after
brushing from his clothes the dirt
received IT, his fall, he was lowered
into his coffin, an imitation rose
wood one, with silver plated trim
mings. An examination showed
that
I HIS NECK WAS BROKEN
by the first fall.
The rope that broke, a three
eighths inch silk one, was procured
by Sheriff Dickson at Lincoln, Neb.,
costing 50. and was warranted to
to stand the required strain. 1t had
just been tested with an 185-pound
sand bag, while Egan weighed but
It's pounds.
Not the slightest blame is attach
ed to Sheriff Dickson for the de-
plorable accident. He was almost
OVERCOME BY THE HORROR OF THE
SITUATION.
Egan was neatly attired in a black
suit, with black necktie and slippers.
He slept soundly last night and
when at 5 a. NJ. this morning Father
Maher came to see him, he had to
be awakened. At $40 he ate a
hearty breakfast, after which his
death warrant was read to him.
None Of his relatives were present
at the execution.
The face appeared very natural,
and but slightly discolored as he lay
in his coffin, and the indications
were that
HIS suFFERINGs WERE SPEEDILY TER
MINATED.
Notwithstanding the unfortunate ac-
cident.
After the body was removed, the
doors were opened and the surgeons
and gaping crowd allowed to enter
and examine the instrument of
death. Besides these mentioned,
Sheriff Clark of Flandreau and ex-
Sheriff Jno. M. Mcdonald Of Sioux
City saw the execution.
Heolth, the poor mans riches,
and the rich mans bliss, is main
tanned by the judicious use Of Ayers
Sarsaparilla which strengthens and
invigorates the system by purifying