Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-07-07
FINAL BKSEDIcrroS

FINAL BENEDICTIoN
and farewell, saying: God the Fathe,
De with us and be with thee, and civ,
thee peace foreverw
Gulteau said in loud, clear yoic,
that was heard from one end of tn,
court 10 the other: Il am willing t
die. From now on there WAS No
tilnching. From the time the prisone,
had sscended the scafiold until he
closed the ceremonies himself was moi
over ten minutes. He was the CHIEF
director. III every sense of the word, ot
the proceedings on the scatfold. He
had had an understanding with Gen.
Crocker that he should
HIMSELF GIVE THE SIGNAL
when he should be dropped off. This
was arranged in this way. the warden
was to place a paper in mis- hands be-
hind him and when Guiteau dropped
the paper the warden was to drop his
handkerchief, and the trap was to fall.
Inc warden now stepped behind him
and placed white paper in his
hand. The final act was about To take
place. Samuel Coleman. who has
plnioned and placed the hangman's
moose on about thirteen victims, an.
preached and proceeded to tie the LEGS
OF the assassin. This was done Quick
". \ great many people said it was
ciumsily done, and that long time
was taken upon it, but the actual time
by the watch showed that Mr.. Cole.
man was only thirty seconds. The sus
crowd made it appear very much long
er.
Rev. Dr. Hicks now stood at the
right, and advanced little forward us
he
SAID COON BY.
to the prisoner. The prisoner merely
He looked neither to the
right nor the left. He exchanged no
word with any of his so-called "mur
ierers.' He stood out in strong relief
against the background Of black mus
lin stretched over the window lust
east of him. All Of tie deputies ex-
cept Coleman fell back. Warden
Crocker still retained his seat in the
corner. The tying Of Guiteau seemed
g bother hlm more than anything
else. He glanced down nervously
1t his legs, and when the tying was
lone he heaved q sigh Of relief. His
lps trembled, but he said nothing.
Coleman advanced and raised the moose,
which had been hanging in front of
iulteau, reaching down to the bottom
1f his waistcoat, to place it over his
lead, the knot res ing upon his left
houlder. Guiteau dropped his eyes
n quick, dartins way down upon
THE KNOT.
IS if he were glancing at a snake.
Then Mr.. Coleman slid the knot up be-
lind his ear. Another deputy advanc-
ID and placed the black cap over his
lead. Here Guiteau still continued to
,e the director of ceremonies. He
Iropped the paper from his hand as
oon as the black cap was fairly fasten-
ID over his head, stamped his right
GOT right imperiously, and said
Glory glory Ready = He was so
Iuick about it that for second the
warden Jagged in the part he was to
,lay but in an instant he dropped his
handkerchief, the bolts were pulled
rom the trap, and
THE BODY FELL.
mere was no struggle apparently. The
ody twitched four or five times. but
cath, to all appearances, must have |
een perfectly painless.
$ the trap fell the warden bowed his |
cad. Rev. Dr. Hicks rushed forward |
D the front part of the scatfold and !
ell upon his knees, crossing himself a.
e did so. As the trap fell, Samuel
tronG, the guard, took hold of the /
oPe, and, leaning over the trap. looked
own in a contemplative manner at
ne slightly twitching form of the ass
ssin. The contemplative look of this
ound shouldered, iron -gray-bearded
uard, gazing down with professional
If upon the swaying body, the kneel-
lg priest. the guards in reserve, stiff
nd solemn, made up strong gallows
icture upon the black muslin stretch
i over the windows behind them.
he crowd below talked easily and
metly. There was no solemnity, and
0 hilarity. The whole affair was dull,
eavy, and not thrilling, even to the
forbid lovers Of gallows horrors. Cult
au, as conductor of the affair. only
9came interesting when he began to
ubber and bawl about going home to
IS 'Lordy."
For at least forty seconds after
THE DROP FELL,
Ie body hung motionless. Then there
as a slight motion of the shoulders
nd legs due to muscular contractions.
hree minutes after the drop fell, the
ody was lowered to be examined by
Ie physicians. There was a decided
;tion of the heart for fully fourteen
Iinutes and the pulse huttered two
lnutes longer. When the body had
ung with the feet just touching the
,ound over half an hour, it was
LOWERED INTO THE COFFIN
hich was waiting for it under the
,affold.
The physicians decided that the neck
al been broken When the body was
wered the black cap was removed
I'd his face exposed. The features
ere pal!id and composed about the
louth there was considerable mois.
ire. After the body mad been arrang-
in the coffin, Warden Crocker as
ended the steps Of the scafold, and
dressing the crowd, said: Those
ho desire, can now view the remains" /"
hen the crowd Of spectators was
rmed in line. and passing between
e scafold and the wall Of the Jail,
VIEWED THE REMAINS.
Some jail officers, two or three phy-
clans and DIR. Hicks stood about the ,
fin. John W. Guiteau Joined the
,mpany and famed his dead broth
Is face to keep away the flies. John
:. Guiteau did not go on the scaffold,
1t stood during the scene Just within J
c line of officers at the bottom of the !
cps. When liberty was given to the
owd to view the body, the scaffold !
as at once filled with people who Gu !
1usly examined il.
PREPARING FOR THE AUTOPSY.
At l 40 D. m, the lid of the coffin Q
IL. l l.. L | 0