The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-07-14
"God, the Father, be with thee, and

GOu, the fatnel, be with tnee, ana
give tliee peace, for ever more
The attendants then pinioned the as
sassin's legs, held the moose over his
head, and carefully adjusted it about
his neck. MIR. Strong placed the black
cap over his head, and as he did
so Guiteau called out in loud tones,
" Glory! Glory! Glory!" Instantly
the spring was touched, the drop
fell aud Guiteau swung IN the air.
The body turned partly around, but
there was not the slightest perceptible
movement of the limbs or any evidence
of q conscious effort to move them.
When the trap fell yell was sent up
by some persons inside the Jail. This
was echoed outside by the voices of n
thousand or more people who hurrahed
Justify. There was general on
slaught by the populace upon the door,
which was so powerful that the officers
were unable to withstand it. Hundreds
of people crowded into the office, and
there was n terrible crush at the doors.
For at least forty seconds after the drop
fell the body hung motionless. Then
there was slight motion Of the
shoulders and legs, due to muscular
contraction Three minutes after the
drop fell the body was lowered to be cX-
amined by the physicians. There was q
decided action of the heart for fully
fourteen minutes, and the pulse flut-
tered two moments longer. When the
body had hung with the feet just touch
ing the ground for over half an hour, it
was lowered into the coffin which was
waiting for IL underneath the scafIold.
The physicians decided at once that the
neck had been broken. When the body
was lowered the black cap was re-
moved and the face exposed.
The features were pallid and
there was considerable moisture. After
the body had been arranged in the
coffin, Warden Crocker ascended the
steps Of the scaflold and addressing
the crowd, which was kept back from
the scafFold by q line Of officers, said
that those who desired could pass
along the side of the scaflold and view
the body. Then the crowd of spec
tators were formed into line, and pass
ing between the scaffold and the wall
OF the jail, viewed the dead face.
Some Jail officers, two or three physi-
clans and DR.. Hicks stood about the
coffin. John W. Guiteau joined this
company and famed his dead brothers
face to keep away the flies. John w.
Guiteau did not go upon the scaflOld,
but stood during the scene just within
the line of officers ut the bottom Of the
steps. When liberty was given to the
crowd to view the remains the
scaffold was at once filled with
people who curiously examined
every Joint and bolt. At 1:40 P. NJ.
the lid of the coffin was put in
place, and the body was borne to the Jail
chapel, where the physicians who were
to make the autopsy were assembled.
Guiteau, just before the trap was
sprung, dropped piece of paper from
his hand. The paper was given him by
Warden Crocker, to be dropped by the
condemned man as a signal that he
was ready.
The drop fell at 1910, and life was
extinct at 12:47.
Guiteau when he came out into the
rotunda from his cell looked calm and
collected, but very pale. His arms
were pinioned behind him, and he held
his head erect He gazed upon the
crowd without flinching. He wore a
black suit of clothes, and instead of
collar had handkerchief thrown
loosely around his neck. Those who
expected sickening" or distressing
scenes were disappointed. Guiteau
walked firmly through the rotunda and
the court He stumbled on one of the
steps leading up to the scaiIold, but re-
covered himself Immediately. When
he began to read his voice was loud
and firm. He gave the words now and
then sort of singing infection, like
preacher reading hymn.