Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-21
TIE GTBRET

THAT STANDS STIFF AND ERECT WAITING FOR
GUTEAU-Trs SERVICES IN THE PAsr-How
1T Is CoNsTRCCTED-ASD HOW 1T WILL. BE
PREPARED FOR USE on THE 30TH.
The sealroId on which Guiteau will be hanged
has been used heretofore, and is of the pattern
in use here since 1860. One OF this pattern was
erected for the execution of Foley, q soldier, for
the murder Of his sergeant, but was not then
used, as the sentence was committed. Subse-
guently it was used in the execution of Augustus
Ford in 1853. Lawrence Tuell for the murder Of
his wife in 1854, and others at the old JAIL 4th
and G streets northwest. The scaffold now
standing i'm the northeastern corner of the Jail
differs from the old one only In being built Of
heavier timber. in being painted, and In the ar
rangement OF the trap, which Is worked by
rope. in box, running beneath the platform to
the interior OF the prison. The old one could
be worked in the same way, or by pressing
treadle on the platform. Those who will Off
ciate on the 30th instant have had such expe-
rience that they feel confident that there will be
no accident on that day. Under the wardenship
OF Gen. Croker there have been twelve persons
executed, and the executions have always been
successful, no accident having ever occurred,
unless the cutting off the head of Stone can be
called such. In every instance the neck has
been broken. There was one case in which
there was some doubt, but On examination 1t
was found that the vertebr9 had been dislo-
Gated.
The instrument of death stands now in the
east area of the north wing OF the building,
where it was erected for the execution Of
BABE BEDFORD AND EDWARD QUEENAN,
two cOlored men convicted of the murder Of
young Hrth, and hanged November 10Th. 1880.
The area in which it stands is reached by some
dozen steps from the rotunde, is 16 feet wide,
nearly 20 feet long. As it will be necessary to
keep fully so feet Of the length of the area clear
besides passageway. even II the law did not
prevent II, the number who can view the execIl-
ton will be very small. Technically, the struc-
ture Is .'undressed," the ropes being stored
within the building. The box through which
the rope runs into the cell where the unseen
operator is stationed to pull it is on the plat
form, while block prevents the trigger pulling
out the bolts which hold the trap in place. The
scaffod built in the Jail in 1879 for the exc
cution of James Peyton. colored man, which
was fixed for June 18th of that year, but a COM
mutation of sentence obviated its use at that
time. The first actual use Of the scaffOld was
In the execution of
JAMES MADISON WYATT STONE.
who was hanged in temporary yard at the
Jail, on April I'd, 1880, for the murder of his
wife. His execution made sensation the
moose cutting the head off as neatly as it could
have been done by knife. Stone was quite
heavy and so fat that when the rope frightened
It cut through to the bone. and striking a Joint
the head was cut Off, The scaffold is The most
substantial and complete structure of the kind
ever used here, being entirely OF the best
quality Of Georgia pine and well covered with
several coats of drab colored paint The cross
beam OF by timber rests on uprights 81 feet
high and 8 inches square. This beam was Origi-
nally OF one piece. pierced for one rope but
heavy piece of timber was placed on it Ito make
assurance doubly sure for the execution Of
Bedford and Queenan. on November 18th, 1880,
and it was bored for two other ropes The
platform, which Is II feet square, is Is feet
above the ground and is supported by six
S-inch uprights besides the uprghts sup
porting the BEAM which are braced by heavy
tmbers. The flooring is of 2-inch boards,
iaid upon stout jOists mOrtised and bOlted. In
the center is the trap. which is 5 feet square,
and swings by two heavy strap hinges to the
platform. 1T Is held in place by a long bolt,
which is controlled by trigger A strong rope
Is attached to it, and passes over a pulley
through the box or conduit. This is five inches
square. and leads into cell. A plain rail ex-
tends around the platform, and the steps that
Head up from the ground or floor below are
guarded by similar railing. These steps are on
The south side of the structure as it stands and
are 519 feet wide, having a rise of seven inches
and twelve inch tread, which makes them. under
ordinary circumstances about the easiest to
ascend in the District
The ARRANGEMENT FOR SFRINGING THE TRAP.
To the trap will be attached stout piece of
sash cord running through an iron pulley and
having weight attached so that when the trap
ID sprung, and the body falls. the weight will
prevent the trap rebounding against the body
To dress the scaffold-that is to put it i'm full
working order-the hinges are creased. the box
through which the rope attached to the bolt is
operated is put in place, and the rope with the
hangnaRs moose at the end is rugged With
the rope the utmost care is taken. 1t is usually
OF MANILA, and when purchased is of seven
eighths inch thickness. Before being used it is
stretched and worked down to about three
fOurths inch thickness When this operation is
completed it is pliable as cotton yarn. and yet
the strands are close and compact. Next
THE HANGMAN's KNOT
Is made, and one Of the guards, who in early life
saw some sea service, generally does this work.
On the morning of the day it is to be used some
eighteeninches of the rope isthoroughly creased
with tallow- Formerly the moose was well
soaped. but it has been found that soap renders
the rope too stiff. The rope having been thus
prepared. is run through the hole in the BEAM
and over it to the upright, down which it passes,
and Is secured to a cleat. About five feet slack
Is allowed for the fall Then there are pnioning
ropes. about the size of sash cord cut into
lengths Of five or six feet. with which the arms
OF the condemned man are tied together behind
the back at the elbows and wrists. and the legs
al the knees and ankles There is also necessa-
~ for an orthodox execution black cap made
OF cambria, with slit in the back for the rope
This has strings, so that it can be tied on over
the rope, and is so adjusted as to hide the face
the execution, there is thorough test
made of the appliances. bag of sand. weigh
Ing 40 or 50 per cent more than the condemned
man, is put in the moose, and the trap is then
sprung