River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-07-06
THE AUTOPSY
THE EXECUTION,

At about 11:30, the preparations be-
gan to be made for the execution. AT
II go, 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 in
the rotunda DR.. Hicks was with the
prisoner, engaged in prayer.
A FALSE ALARM.
The crowd outside the jail 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 of
| 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, 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
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
2 o'clock and by it Guiteau was in the
habit of guaging the time. The delay
to-day was by special arrangement, so
that It's 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 Croker made his appearance
and moment later the familiar figure
of Guiteau was seen. His face was
palid and the muscles about his mouth
moved nervously. Other than this
there was no sign of faltering.
THE PROCESSION MOVED QUICKLY
to the scaffold and Guiteau assembled
the somewhat steep steps with as much
steadiness as could be expected from a
mar whose arms were piniOned. At
the last step he faltered for 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 LETT, and Woodward
directly behind him. Jones took a po-
sition on the north side, near the up
right beam. The warden took his po-
sition at the southeast corner OF the
structure.
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
Croker 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 supplieation for the sake Of Jesus
Christ the Savior, who has made full Precipitation
for us. Behold this thy servant; we hambly pray
thou wilt deliver him at this supreme moment OF