The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-07-05
THE scAFEoLp SCENE.

W ASH1NGTON, June 00.-ConSiuer-
liable excitement was caused just be-
fore noon by the report that Guiteau
was so much prostrated by his ter
ror that he would be unable to. as
Icend the scaffold; At quarter be-
fore twelve a guard of marines was
Drawn up in the rotunda and came
ITO order arms" The sound Of the
muskets made Guiteau so nervous
that he fell back uton his cot and
became so faint restoratives had to
be applied. After being restored by
Surgeon Williams he appeared to'be
thoroughly overcome withlemotion.
He wept freely and seemed to be in
lgreat anguish. The scene in the ro-
ltunda waiting for the prisoner was
one long to be remembered. The
soldiers were drawn up on one side,
a long line of spectators facing them
on the other. 1t was understood
that Guiteau was very much de-
pressed, and it was expected his
passage to the gallows would present
Il very distressing sight. The move
ments of the officers about the jail
door were watched with eager atten-
ltion.
READING THE DEATH WARRANT.
At few minutes past noon War
den Crocker and his attendents
came to the cell of the assassin, and
the Warden read the death warrant
as follows:
| In the Supreme Court of Column
bia, May %, 1892, Charles J. Guiteau,
No. II ,056-murder.
The President of the United States
to the Warden of the L. S. Jail ofthe
Distrist of Columbia. Greeting:
WHEREAS, Charles J. Guiteau has
been indicted of felony and murder
by him done and committed, and
has been thereupon arraigned, and
upon such arraignment mas pleaded
not guilty and has been lawfully
convicted thereof. and whereas judg-
ment cf said court has been giveI.
that the said Charles j. Gui-
teau shall be hanged by the
neck until he is dead there
fore YOU are hereby commanded
that upon Friday, the 30th of June,
in the year of our Lord, one thou
sand eight hundred and tighty-two,
A. ID. 1882 between the hours o;
twelve (l2) o'clock meridian and
two(2) O'Clock past meridian of the
same day, him, the said Charles J.
Guiteau, now being in your custody
in the common Jail, of the District
of Columbia, To convey to the place
prepared for his execution within
the walls OF the said jail of the
District of Columbia. and that
You cause execution 10 be done
upon the said Charles J. Gui-
teau in your custody, so being in all
things according to said judgment,
and this you are by no means TO
omit. at yoor peril, and do you re-
turn this writ into the clerk office
of said Court so indorsed As to show
how YOU have obeyed the same.
Witness: ID. X. CARTIER,
Chief Justice of said Court.
After the death warrant was read
by the warden the prisoner became
more composed, and turning away,
began TO brush his hair
FORMING THE PROCESSION.
At 12::25 a loud steam whistle was
blown at the Work House, which is
near the Jail. This whistle usually
blows at II o'clock and by it Gni-
teau was in the habit ofgauging time
The delay to-day was by special ar
rangenent, so thatits startling sum
mons might not come before the otfi-
GERS We're ready. Two minutes later
the iron gates at the end OF the cor
ridor clicked. First came Rev. Dr.
Hicks, then Warden Crocker, then
Guiteau. He was carefully dressed,
nervous, and looking as ne did du-
ring the trial when he was going to
the van. His face was pallid and
the muse les about his mouth NOV
ed nervonsly. Other than this there
was no sign of faltering. On one
side OF him was Keeper James Cole
man, on the other James Woodward,
before him Keeper Strong The
procession moved quickly to the
scafiold and Guiteau assembled the
somewhat steep steps with rs much
steadiness as could be expected from
man whose arms were tightly pin
ioned. AT the last step he faltered
for a moment, but was assisted by
the officers who walked upon either
side. Upon reaching the platform
Guiteau was placed Immediately be-
hind the drop, facing the front of
the scaffold. Captain Coleman stood
upon his right, Robert Strong upon
his left, and Woodward directly be
hind him. Jones took Il position on
the north side, near the upright of
the beam. Warden Crocker took
his position at the southeast corner
of tie structure. There was slight |
delay while the spectators were push
ing and jostling through the door
leading from the rotunda 10 the cor
ridor. at the lower end of which the |
gallows was placed Guiteau mean /
while gazed upon the crowd, locked |
up at the beam over his head, and |
quickly madea survcy OF AL the !
dread paraphernalia.
DR.. HICKS PRAYEE
As soon as the crowd had gained /.
access General Checker waved for
them to uncover, and all heads were !
barred. Dr. Hicks then pray cd these !
words:
Father, out of the depths we cry I
to Thee. Hear Thou our suppilca-
ton for the sake of Jesus Christ, the
Saviour. who has made full propl- !
tiation for us. Behold this Thy SER
want. We humbly pray Thou wilt I
deliver him at this supreme moment
Of his life, Let Thy light descend
upon him. Liberate his soul from
prison. May he appear before Thee
absolved by Thy great mercy from
blood gniltless; deliver him and us.
God, have mercy onus; Christ, have /
mercy on us; l4amb OF God that f,
takest away the sins OF the world, I
have mercy on US. Amen aud amen.
During the prayer Guiteah stood
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