The daily gazette., 1882-08-25
A FIEND'S JUST FATE.
JAMES REDDEN's EXECUTION
THIS MORNING..
he GOES OFT VERY EASILY.
Eating Hearty Breakfast. Singing and
Praying Refusing Whisky. and Dying
Without - TremOr in Ten Minutes.
Especial dispatch to the Gayette. +,

the person of Sallie j. Purse, a small child
near Odessa, in February last, expiated hi
crime on the gallows this morning in th,
presence of about two score of spectators
The drop fell at 1915 o'clock, and Ceatl
ensued in 1926. The body was cut down ii
half an bour after the drop fell.
THE LAST NIGHT ON EARTH.
Redden passed a sleepless night until
O'Clock this morning. Yesterday Afternoon
he was visited by the Rev. N. NJ. Brown o.
the NJ. E. Church of New Castle, and tn,
Rev. q. s.. Spencer of the P. E. Church OF
this place. The visit took place about 4
O'Clock, and the reverend gentlemen re-
mained with the doomed man about 81
minutes. They sang simple hymn or two
and Redden joined in the singing with quite
a gusto. A prayer or two was also made,
and Redden was fervent in his petitions To
God to save his soul.
He professed to have found rest in God.
and said that he would go to his death with
a hope of finding rest In heaven. He did
not seem very positive about this latter,
however His faith seemed faint, and he
was very uneasy in spirit.
Redden expected his relatives yesterday,
but none Of them came. His mother he
particularly desired to see, and she had
|
did not come, however, and Redden felt the
neglect keenly. Every few minutes Redden
would ask passing warden if his mother
had yet arrived, but when told that she had
not, he let his head drop in his hands and
seemed very sorrowful indeed.
lie did not eat much breakfast last even
ing, and when Mr.. Broomfeld, the night
warden, relieved Warden Hance, he said he
would try and get some sleep. Sleep did
not come to his eyes, however, during all
the long and weary death watch Until
O'Clock this morning, Redden appeared to
| have passed the night tormented with a
thousand doubts and fears. Sometimes,
| his head in his hands, he was moaning and
groaning, a deplorable object indeed. Again
he sang Justify and prayed with voice SO
loud that 1t was heard all over the jail
Once or twice it awakened Sheriff Clark and
| altogether, Redden seemed very halting
| sinner on the banks of Jordan.
Getting asleep at O'Clock this morning
he awakened between and 5, and shortly
before O'Clock Sheriff Clark went in to see
the poor fellow and tried TO ease his mind.
Are you ready to go, JimP he asked
Yes, " he answered. "What do you want
for breakfast" asked the Sheriff, after
Redden had told him he had passed the
night in torment.
81 don't want anything at all, boss" was
the reply.
However the Sheriff sent him in a nice
meal OF beefsteak, two fried eggs, fried po-
tatoes, milk and ice cream. The latter dish
Redden has specially requested. He ate
with relish of man who had worked in
corn field all day. After that he seemed to
be more composed and satisfied At the time
of telegraphing this, 9 O'Clock, Redden is
anXiously awaiting visit from his spiritual
un
SCENES OF THE MORNING.
When the first CLINT of sunlight came
through the cell windows early this morning
Redden, who had seemed to be in good
humor for some time, remarked to one ofthe
Jail attendants, with CHASTITY smile, that he
would have "good day to 90 off" A
minute after this he got very sad, and tears
coursed down his cheeks.
About O'Clock the Rev. N. NJ. Brown
and the Rev. N. j. Parker of Ezion NJ. L.
Church of Wilmington entered the jail ana
at once went 10 Redden's cell, where they
sang and pTtyed with the prisoner. He
Joined in alli the hymns, and during the
prayers fra luently uttered a hearty
'amen." ~
The devoth exercises continued until
10 o'clock
During the morning view was taken of
IL
is the fifth time it has been used, and has
been put up by Captain Ridings every time.
The rope used was u two inch one and very
strong. The working portions of the scat
fold had been nicely oiled and worked well.
The coffin, pine one, rested under the scaf
fold.
During all the morning the greatest quiet
prevailed in the Jail. Not more than 30
persons were about and these walked about
and talked softly.
The Sheriff rigidly observed the rule TO
keep the execution private, and only ad-
mitted those who had right to be there. |
Only the physicians, the Coroner's Jury rep
resentatives of the prsss, etc. were admitted |
and the whole number did not exceed 30.
Around Redden's cell all interest centred.
Inside his spiritual advisers were busy |
singing and praying outside few people |
held around the door, listening intently
sELF-PossEssED MAN.
The last hymn was sung shortly before 10 |
o'clock. 1t was 'I'm Glad Salvation's |
Free" Redden's voice joined in on the |
chorus, but he stood most of the time with |
his head iIi his hands and the tears running |
down his cheeks.
Just as the clock struck 10 Warden
Hance, followed by DR.. g. L. Henderson,
entered the cell. The singing had ceased /
and the last prayer had been said. Those
outside could see Redden weeping as the
door swung open.
The object of DR.. Henderson's visit was to
see if Redden did not want some whisky as q |
fearing that he would break
down on the scatfold, as he has shown signs
of failing courage for several days.
But when the doctor entered the cell he
was surprised to find Redden perfectly self
possessed. Redden looked at him familiarly
and shook hands. DIR. Henderson asked
him if he did not think he had better take
some whisky, remarking that he thought
It would be better for him.
Redden did not seem to object and
the doctor went for a glass of spirits. When
he returned Redden's mind had changed,
. 'Redden, if you don't need it don't take
t." said DIR. Henderson. "Well," said
Redden, 81 don't need it and l won't take
{. promised my father that would not
drink and l won't. | can get along all
right"
TO THE soAFFoLD.
Preparations were now made for the final
ict. The Sheriff ordered all but his attend
lnts and the religious advisers, Messrs.
Brown and Parker, INTO the jail yard. This
vas at 1O.O5. At lOOS the jury went into
he yard, and at 1912 the procession filed
out of the Jail and toward the scaffold.
The Rev. N, NJ. Brown was ahead, Mr..
Parker came next, then Warden Hance.
Behind him and Immediately in front of
Sheriff Clark Redden walked with a firm
step, but meek air, and bringing up the
rear was Deputy Sheriff George Clark and
ex-Sherifi Richardson.