The Osceola times., 1882-08-19
REMARKABLE HANGINGS.
within tho RecoIlections of an Old Stager
How II Feels to he Hanged.


"A great many people have a mistaken
idea that the sensations attendant upon
hanging are very unpleasant" remarked
Dr. Marable to representative of this
paper yesterday, 'but on the contrary,
il is extremely pleasant. have it from
q 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 sur
geon knows this fact. Drowning has
long been regarded as an extremely
agreeable method of shuffling off this
mortal 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 figured-no,
reckon not, either, for that was way
back in the forties forty-six, | believe.
Buntline, the sensational. writer, you
know, whose real name is Judson, or
some such name, had row with a
prominent man named Porteriield about
the latter's wife. Portertield shot at
Judson three times, and was about to
fire again, when Judson said "lf you
do that again I'll put a bullet right
through your head porterfeld paid no
attention to his remark. but fred the
fourth time, the last bullet, like the
others, going wide of the mark. Judson
raised his elbow to level with his face,
and resting his pistol upon it, took good
aim and fired. The bali penetrated
Porterfeld's brain and he fell dead to
the ground. Then somebody found
Porterfield's brother, put pistol in his
hand and told him to ayenge 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 Judsor and resolved to
hang him. Taking him to house close
by which was in process of construction
they threw a rope over the rafters and
strung him up. Thrice he was strung
up ia succession and cut down under
the impression that he was dead. His
leg was broken by the last fail and he
was unconscious. The mob left him for
dead and kind friends took him and
succeeded in restoring life. | saw him
afterwards in Louisville KY, some time
in 40. and had long talk with him
about the affair. He told me that the
few moments he hang each time We're
the most deliciously delightful of his
whole life. Beautiful lights danced be.
fore his eyes, of all hues and shades,
many CT them like those produced by
the chemical burning of watch-springs.
The gorgeous panoramas passed in re-
view before him, each more enhancing
ly beautiful and distinct than the last.
Exquisite land scapes, snow-capped
mountains, green-clad valleys and spont-
ting springs of sparkling water filled
him with ecstacy. His whole soul was
enthralled with rapture by the beauties
which lay spread out before his gaze.
So wrapped up was he in contemplating
these scenes that he hated the moment
the rope was severed and the illusions dis
PEELED 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 everyday scenery the doctor
went on, as he tipped his chair back and
selected a new subject.
eve were speaking Of death hy
he said. That reminds
me Of remarkable thing | witnessed
near Clarksville, Tenn, once when the
celebrated preacher, DIR. Hanna, and