Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-07-06
ly. DR.. Hicks sat by his side, tanning
him and vainly trying to calm him.
THE EXECUTION.

THE EX ECUT1ON.
At about 11:30, the preparations be,
gan to be made for the execution. A
11:5O, a detachment of artillery form
ed on the east side of the rotunda and
brought their muskets to parade rest
At that time, about $50 people were ir
the rotunda. DIR. Hicks was with the
prisoner, engaged in prayer.
A FALSE ALARM.
The crowd outside the j all had got
word that Guiteau had been hanged
aud rended the air with shouts, so that
it was impossible to hear ones voice
inside the Jail Office.
Guiteau showed great nervousness
and appeared greatly startled when he
heard the rattle on the stone floor o1
the rotunda. From that moment,
Guiteau appeared to be thoroughly
OVERCOME WITH EMOTION;
he wept freely and seemed to be in
great anguish.
The. scene in the rOtunda, while wait
ing for the prisoner, was one to be long
remembered. The soldiers were drawn
up on one side, q long line of specta-
tors facing them on the other.
1t was understood that Guiteau was
very much depressed, and it was ex-
pected that the passage to the gallows
would present very distressing sight.
The movement of the officers about
the jail door was watched with eager
attention.
After u o'clock there was another
waiting time. Gen. Crocker did not
wish to. show any unseemly haste, not,
withstanding the request of the pris-
Oner. He went down and again exam
ined the gailows, and as he came back
for the last time to enter the cell the
whistle rang out 1890. When this
sounded Gen. Crocker, dressed in
black, wearing a white vest, and a
black silk hat pulled over his eyes, and
carrying a heavy black walnut cane,
entered through the grating, proceed
ing 10 Guiteau's cell to read the death
warrant.
When Gen. Crocker entered the cell,
Guiteau received him standing. The
warden looked quietly at the prisoner
and said: II have painful duty to
perform"
Guiteau rested his hand on that of
DR.. Hicks as he said: "Go on, sir"
The warden here read the death
warrant, clearly and slowly. Guiteau
listened as he looked straight away
from him.
When the warden had finished, the
assassin said: "God will send you to
he'll for this days work"
Nothing more was said.
A guard came In and tho prisoner
was plnloned without resistance. After
THE DEATH WARRANT WAS READ
by the warden, the prisoner became
more composed, and turning away be-
gan to brush his hair.
At 1925, the loud steam whistle was
blown at the work-house, which is near
the jail. This whistle usually blows at
II o'clock and by it Guiteau was in the
habit OF guaging the time. The delay
to-day was by special arrangement, so
that its startling summons might not
come. before the officers were ready.
Two minutes later the iron gates at
the end of the corridor clicked; then
Warden Crocker made his appearance
and a moment later the familiar figure
of Guiteau was seen. His face was
pallid and the muscles about his mouth
moved nerv0usly. Other than this
there was no sign of faltering.
THE PROCESSION MOVED QUICKLY
to the scaffold and Guiteau ascended
the somewhat steep steps with as much
steadiness as could be expected from
man whose arms were pinioned. At
the last step he faltered for a moment,
but was assisted by the officers who
walked up on either side.
On reaching the platform Guiteau
was placed Immediately behind the
drop, facing front to the scaffold. Capt.
Coleman stood up to his right, Robert
Strong upon his left, and Woodward
directly behind him. Jones took a po-
sition on the north side, near the up
right beam. The warden took his DO
sition at the southeast corner of the
There was
A SLIGHT DELAY
while the spectators were pushing
through the door leading from the ro-
tunda to the corridor, at the lower end
of which the gallows were placed.
Guiteau, meanwhile, gazed upon the
crowd, looked up at the beam over his
head, and quickly made survey of
all the dread paraphernalia. As soon
as the crowd gained access, General
Crocker waved them to uncover, and
all heads were barred.
DIR. HICKS THEN PRAYED
in these words:
Father, out of the depths we cry to thee. Hear
thou our supplication for the sake Of Jesus
Christ, the Savior who has made full propitiation
for US. Behold this thy servant; we humbly prav
thou wilt deliver him at this supreme moment Of
his life. Let thy light descend upon him: iberate
his soul from prison; may he appear before You
absolved by thy great mercy from the blood of
outlines; Deliver him and US. God have mercy
on US. Christ have mercy on US. Lamb of God
that takest away the sins of the world. have
mercy US. Amen, and amen.
During the prayer Guiteau stood
with bowed head. At its conclusion
DR.. Hicks opened the Bible and Guiteau
in firm tones said: 81 will read Sc
lection from the tenth chapter of Mat
thew, from the 28th to the 41st verses
He read in clear, strong
voice and with good intonation, show
ing little if any nervousness.
Hicks then produced the manuscript
prayer, which was prepared by Guiteau
this morning, and held it before him
while Guiteau read. While the doctor
was arranging the manuscript, Guiteau
slight nervousness and NOV
ed several times from one foot to the
nfhcr He sn0n rnnounrod n..l Lid