Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1882-07-08

i>Ol'N' al tioWltlnH III the direction
OF the door opening Oh the space
where the gallows stood, and it was
evident that there would be a crush
to get into the place Of death.
A procession passed the scatfold
OIL % soldiers armed and equipped,
and it stood in line on the east side
OF the rotunda, awaiting the process
sion to the gallows. The officer in
charge gave orders to ground arms.
and the butts Of the muskets fell
upon the stone floor with heavy
thud that reached through the Jail.
Huiteau, at this time was lying upon
cot in his cell, weak, trembling.
and crying. The fit of rage that
controlled him during the night wore
Off his nervous force gradually, and
ne was in a wet rage. The Jail Off
Gals feared for long time that he
would have to be carried to the gal
lows. He gradually revived, and
when the end came showed himself
to be a man of nerve and courage.
Shortly after II o'clock John Cult
eau, who had been uneasily pacing
the rotunda, took seat by the side
of the turnkey who guarded the en-
trance to the corridor leading to his
brothers cell, and waited for the
end.
y dozen correspondents had their
noses against the grating, vainly try
ing to learn what had TRANSFERRED With
IN the condemned mans cell
Robert Strong, the right bower of
the Warden at all hangings, slouched
around the rotunda and waited for
the work to begin. Strong is a man
Of medium height, heavy built, about
80 years old, with keen, blue ewes,
gray beard and mustache, and gray
hair. He never falters in the per-
Torrance Of his duty, and seems to
enjoy an execution as most men
would enjoy dinner. Strong was
dressed in Il striped shirt, light frock-
coat, light trousers, and a vest of diff
ferent color. \ silk handkerchief
tied around his neck took the place
OF a collar, and the beauty Of his cos
tune was heightened by small black
cap that he wore upon his head.
Another peculiar figure seen in the
rotunda was John II. Russell, the
Jail carpenter, constructor OF the
gallows, expert hangman and gen
cral utility man. Russell is a thin.
dried-up specimen of humanity,
quiet and uncommunicative, as cold
and hcartless as an icicle, but fond
Of a joke, and agreeable in his man
ner. He disappeared soon after the
procession formed, and it is said
that it was he who pulled the rope
that sprung the trap.
The Deputy Warden was in the
cell with the man who pulled the
rope, but did not do the work him.
self.
Strong and Woodward next disap-
peared behind the wooden doors.
They pinioned the arms Of the priso-
ner about the elbows, and then tied
his hands together at the wrists.
All eyes were turned in the direc-
ton of the assassin's door.
The officer of the trap called. AT
tention" and the soldiers stood erect
at carry arms, and the muskets came
into position with the precision of
clock work.
A suppressed kissing noise for 81
lenee was heard, and the wooden
doors were thrown back and the we'll
known face of the assassin appeared.
There was a suppressed murmur
Of excitement, but the procession
moved quietly through the rotunda,
down the steps to the place of execu-
ton, and up to the gallows.
At 1925 Guiteau was led from
his cell to the gallows; Warden
Croker and Tailor Strong in front,
the minister next, the prisoner look
ing cool and calm, escorted by two
guards behind Guitteau. At 1890
DR.. Hicks read the Bible on the gal
lows. The prisoner was sick, but
standing. He then began to talk. He
wore black suit of clothes, and in
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