Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1882-07-11
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A TALK WITH GUITEAU'S
HANGMAN.
HE DEFENDS THE EXECUTION
AGAINST UNFAVORABLE RE
PORTS-TIIE WORK DONE
QUIETLY AND WE'LL,
Washington Star.

Washington Star.
Mr.. Robert Strong, of the Jail guard
who prepared and rugged the rope fol-
the execution Of Guiteau on Friday last
pinioncd his arms and legs, and at the
proper time put on the black cap and adj
iusted the moose, was interviewed last
evening with especial reference to pub.
llshed statements charging HAT the hang.
man did his work in II bungllng fashion
"ln regard to the preparations, Mr.
Strong,h the reporter asked, "Were they
all regular orthodox preparations; that
is, was everything prepared just the
same as usual-probably with n little
more carey"
"Certainly. said Mr.. Strong. "ThC
ceremony was little shorter; there was
no singing on the gallows; they were
not up on The gallows half ms long rs
some others have seem"
"Was not there some delay in the
preparatlonE" :,
ono, sir; not any. | went into his eel
and pinioned his arms, and he was i'm
mcdiately marched out and up onto TIC
platform"
GLOW about the knott Asked thJ
reporter.
"Wcll, so FAR rs the knot goes" sale
the veteran guard, "thcrc could not bC
any knot that would work any better
than that one, II they tried ml over The
United States. We put the knot exactly
In the right place, right behind the LEFT
ear. The knot always works backwards
and ms long MS 1t works back 1t is nj
right DR.. Young says il Is better as Il
gets to the back of the head and breaks
the neck. As long MS the knot does no
come to the chm Il Is all right Dr. Young
SAYS II IL was right behind 1t would work
ali the better, 1t had drop of five feet
five inches. lie and Deputy Wardcl
Russ were exactly the same height. The
rope touched the scailold and that wOult
give him when the strain was taken on
and hauled tait from above about two
inches more, making the drop about iiv,
feet seven inches. lie fell all Of that
His head was clear. You know by The
way he fell he must have Ind II pretty
good fall. If his head had come off ht
would have had too much fall"
"After all, his neck was not broken 2
"They shy IL was not, " said Mr.. Strong
~ was there when the skin was draw
down Oh each side of the neck, and th'
muscles underneath were about cut off. ,
ain the New York Herald account
they say there was some delay IN pinion
ing him on the sCallold," remarked thu
reporter.
'"rhere was no delay" answered Mr.
a a,tl
was his own fault IL there was any de-
lay; but there was none. | had to pul
his legs and knees together, and II tool
me no time at all TO do that"
"Wcrc you there In the morning, Mr.
Strong, when John Gulteau was on TIN
scalloldW
eyes, sir" .
'cDil he 90 there with DR.. IllcksY"
ayes, sir; he come and examined TIN
rope. said then to Gen, Croker thu
! Il would not do.
"What did john GtltcOu sayi" Askc,
the reporter.
~ did not hear him say anything
lie merely examined The rope" .
"Dr. Hicks was with him. was he not 2
ayes, slr,n said Mr. Strong. "Dr
Hicks was sent there by the assassln Il
sec II everything was In good worklnI
order, and John Guitenu went with him
Durlng the execution John Gullcal
stood right In front Of and close to tn
gallows. He came up and shook hand
with somebody, talking and laughing
Afterwards hc went in where they weI
holding the post-mortcm examination
but they would not allow him TO remnlli
lliu last thing no did was TO go INT
Guitcau's cell and gather up all his oil
papers, traps, books, and one thing m
other, and took them all AWAY with him.