The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-07-06
The Execution of Guiteau.
HE DIES CRYING GLORY !-sCENEs AND
INCIDENTS ABOUT THE JAIL.

was carried out. He died cursing the Pres
ident, the judge, the jury, the spectators
curses all the more unholy because coupled
with prayers to the Almighty. His death
was perfectly consistent with his life, and
at no time did he show weakness that
would seem to indicate his penitence or his
fear of his death. The execution was per-
formed in delft and merciful manner, and
at forty minutes after twelve O'Clock the
drop was sprung, and the assassin passed
into another world with scarcely strug
gle. He walked from his cell with firm
tread, and, standing under the moose, read,
in a loud, clear voice chapter from the BIZ
BILE, and an invocation. which he called his
last prayer, breaking down only once. He
Strengthened up, however, and in loud
voice pronounced the word "ready?" that
was the signal for the hangman. The man
concealed in cell near the gallows then
pulled the rope, and the criminal fell eight
feet, rupturing the muscles OF his neck, and
dying by strangulation.
READING THE DEATH WARRANT.
At five minutes past IL O'Clock Genera
Croker read the death-warrant to the pris.
oner In his cell. The only persons present
were General Croker, Deputy-W Warden
Roush, and Rev. Dr. Hicks.
After the death-warrant was read to the
prisoner by the warden. he became much
more composed, and turning away began
to brush his hair with his old appearance OF
staggering Sdng.froid
At 10 rs loud steam whistle was blown
at the workhouse, which was near the jail.
The whistle usually blows at IL O'Clock, and
by it, Guiteau was in the habit of reckon
ing his time. The delay Friday was by
special arrangements, so that its startling
summons might not come before the off,
GERS we're ready. Two minutes later the
iron gates at the end of the corridor clicked;
then Warden Croker made his appearance,
and a moment later the familiar figure OF
Guiteau was seen. His face was pallid and
muscles about his mouth moved nervously.
Other than this there were no signs of fall
tering.
GUITEAU ON THE SCAFFOLD.
The procession moved quickly to the scat
fold, and Guiteau assembled twelve some
what steep steps with as much sCeadiness as
could be expected from man whose arms
were tightly pinioned behind him. At the
last step he faltered for moment, but was
assisted by two officers, who walked, one
upon either side. Upon reaching the plat
form Guiteau was placed Immediately be-
hind the drop, facing to the front of the
>caffold. Capt. Coleman stood upon his
right. Mr.. Robert Strong upon his left. and
Mr.. Woodward directly behind him. Mr..
Jones took position on the north side near
the upright lof the beam. Gen. Croker
(warden) took his position at the southeast
corner of the structure. There was slight
delay while crowd of $50 or more speeta-
tors were pushing and jostling through the
door leading from the rotunda to the cOrri-
dor. at the lower end of which the gallows
was placed. Guiteau in the meanwhile
gazed upon the crowd and looked up at the
beam over his head. and quickly made a
survey Of the dread paraphanalia. As soon
as the crowd had gained access Gen. Crock
er waved to them to uncover, and all heads
were barred. DR.. Hicks made an invOca-
ton.
DIR. HICKS PRAYER.
"Father. out of the depths we cry to
Thee. Hear Thou our supplication for the
sake of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. who has
made full reparation for us. Behold this,
Thy servant. We humbly pray that Thou
wilt deliver him at this supreme moment of
his life let Thy light descend upon him !;
liberate his soul from prison. May he ap-
pear before Thee absolved by Thy great
mercy from blood outlines. Deliver him
and us.
"God have mercy on US.
"Christ have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, that :aketh away the sins
Of the world, have mercy on US.
'Amen and amen."
During the prayer Guiteau stood with
bowed head. At its conclusion DR.. Hicks
opened the Bible, and Guiteauin firm tones
i L. 80, tI,o
chapter Of Matthew, from the Goth to the
4lst verses, inclusive.
Guteau read in clear,
STRONG VOICE,
and with good information, showing little, if
any. nervousness.
Dr. cksproduced manuscript which was
prepared by the prisoner that morning, and
held it before him, while Guiteau read it,
When DR.. Hicks was arranging the manu-
script Guiteau exhibited slight nervousness,
and moved several times from one foot to the
other He soon recovered his composure, and
looked over the sea of upturned faces and said:
II am now going to read TO you my last dying
prayer"
HIS DYING PRAYER.
He then read in loud tone and with dis
tinct AID deliberate emphasis the following ::
My dying prayer on the gallows Father,
now 20 to The and the Saviour. have fin
shed the work Thou gavest me to do, and
am only too happy to 60 to Thee. The world
does not yet appreciate my mission, but Thou
knowest it. Thou knowest Thou didst in
spire Garfelds removal, and only good has
come from it. This Is the best evidence that
the inspiration came from Thee; and have
set it forth in my book, that all men may read
haiti Eafh
act for which l am now murdered This Gov
eminent and nation by this act, | know, will
incur Thy eternal enmity, as did the Jews by
killing Thy man, my Saviour. The retribu-
ton in that case came quick and sharp. and l
know Thy divine law OF retribution will strike
this nation and my murderers in the same
way. The diabolical spirit of this nation, its
Government and its newspapers toward me
will justify Thee in cursing them, and | know
that Thy divine law of retribution is inexora-
BILE. l therefore predict that
THIS NATION WILL GO DOWN IN BLOOD,
and that my murderers, from the Executive
to the hangman, will 60 to hell. Thy laws
are memorable, oh thou Supreme Judge. Woe
unto the men that violate Thy laws; only
weeping and gnashing of teeth awaits them
The American press has large bill to settle
with the Righteous Father for their vindic-
tiveness in this matter. Nothing but blood
will satisfy them, and now my blood be upon
them and this nation and its officials. Arthur
The President, is
COWARD AND AN MIGRATE.
His ngratltude to the man that made him and
saved his party and land from overthrow. has
no parallel in history. But Thou, righteous
Father, will judge him. Father, Thou know
eat me- hut the world has not known me- and
now | 20 to Thee and the Saviour without the
slightest ill-will toward human being. Fare
we'll, we men of EARTH"
AT several points he halfpaused and en-
leavored to impart an increased emphasis to
MS words by the peculiar facial expression SO
often observed during his trial when he was
lngered at something which was said or done
This was peculiarly noticeable when he allud-
I'd to President Arthur, and when he declared
hat this nation would "go down in blood"
"GOING TO THE LoRDY."
When he had finished reading his prayer
be again surveyed the crowd, and said, still
with firm voice: II am now going to read
some verses which are intended to indicate
ny feelings at the moment of leaving this
world. If set to music they may be rendered
effective. The idea is that of child babbling
morning about 10 o'clock" He then COM
nenced to chant these verses in a sad, doleful
tyle:
81 am going to the Lordy,
am 80 glad,
am going to the Lordy,
am so glad;
Glory hallelujah! Glory halleluiahl
am going to the Lordy.
Ilove the Lordy with all my soul;