The Opelousas courier., 1882-07-08
The Assassin Hung.
HIS NECK BROKEN RY THE FALL AND
DEATH ALMOST PAINLESS.

HIS NECK BROKEN BY THE FALL AND
DEATH ALMOST PAINLESS.
Washington. d. C. June 3O.-The
last act in the great drama which com
menced with the shooting of Garfield a
year ago, ended to day with the death
of Guiteau. There is apparent q feel
ing of marked but quiet satisfacti on
here that the.
LAST SCENE in THE GREAT TRACE
is ended.
First came the warden and an officer,
then the Rev. Mr.. Hicks, followed by
THE DOOMED MAN,
with his arms pinioned and an officer
an either side of him; two officers
brought up the rear Guiteau walked
with firm step. He was evidently
mrking great effort to meet his fate
heroically. He glanced neither to the
right nor to the left His strange yell
lowish gray eyes looked stranger than
ever. His dark blue dress brought ont
clearly the remarkable pallor of his com
| plexion. He wore no collar, but abo ut
! his neck was a white handkerchief,
which partly covered his shoulders.
As he moved through the hall perfect
quiet prevailed, except here and there
along the line there were. in a subdued
voice. such expressions "a "How sad. s.
How pitiful" He reached the scaf
fold and ascended the steep steps cour-
ageously. The officers ranged them
selves about him. The warden waved
his hand, the crowd below took off their
hats aud the Rev. Mr.. Hicks delivered
IL short prayer. Then
GUITEAU READ HIS LAST PRAYER
from paper held by Mr.. Hicks. His
voice was strong and clear and was
easily heard $50 feet. Having finished
his prayer, he com menced to read some
verses, expressive af his feelings. which
he had composed during the morning
He got through tile first and second
staHgas very well, but while reading
the third his voice began to break and
soon his sobs ehoked lis utterance
He struggled to overcome his emotion,
however, and commenced again. He
read few lines and then yielding to
his feelings, he laid his head ON Mr..
Hicks shoulder and gave vent to his
emotions in
LOUD. NERVOUS soBs.
In little while he rpgained control
of himself and finished his reading. His
legs were then tied together the rope
was adjusted. the black cap than drawn
over his face. and Mr.. Hicks knelt in
prayer. While the spectators were wait
ing to hear the first sounds of Mr..
Hicks voice the trap was sprung dull
sound was heard and
GUITEAU WAS DEAD.
He knew no suffering. His neck was
broken and his body hung motionless.
In a moment more there was great
shout within the prison. which was
caught up by the thousands on the ont
side. The crewd made rush for the
prison door and the officers were forced
back. BY extraordinary effort. how
ever, the officers after about dozen
had got in, succeeded in closing the
door. Soon order was restored and the
doctors proceeded with the autopsy.
We clip the following strange para
graph from the Lake Charles Echo:
An item detailing the finding of eight
or ten thousand dollars by q negro
while plowing in field near 0pelonsas,
recently published in the Echo and
credited to the Opelonsas COURIER, has
turned out to be hoax. The COURIER
should be more careful in the future
how it publishes "wild rumors," as it
terms them. And if it knew this item
to be joke and was enly helping to
give 1t publicity as such, it has done
itself no credit. 1t in mistaken idea
that snch stories add to the attractive
ness and success of newspaper. 1t
simply has the opposite effect.
We would respectfully inform our
contemporary that we did not publish
the report of the finding of the jar of
money as "a wild rumor' nor as ga
ioke.'' Il came to MS in such a credible
shape, that we felt justified in making
it an item and it was generally be-
lieved by the public. Notwithstanding
the Investigation which pronounced it
"hnge joke" there are some who
persist in believing that good deal of
money was found, as stated, in that To-
caAity. We would ask our contempo-
rary if he employs detective to ferret
ont all particulars before he itemizes
things of general belief and common
report?
Pushing Ahead.