The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-05-11

boarded the Rock Island s. Peoria trair,
and arrived at his destination at 1920
The town was full of strangers. and the
streets lined with wagons, farmers having
come for miles around in hopes of getting
| glimpse of the hanging. Newspaper
men were present from Chicago, st.
Louis, Peoria, and the surrounding
| towns. john Reficker, sheriff of Rock
Island county, was in attendance, with
the sheriffs of Scott county, Iowa, Peoria,
Stark and Bureau counties. No one was
allowed admittance to see the doomed
man, although several attempts have been
made. The sheriff even denied admit
lance to Joseph Copeland, the husband OF
the murdered woman, who wished to talk
to- him before he was hurried into cter-
| nifty.
Mackinson stiu bears up and proclaims
his innocence, and all attempts to get
HIM to confess to the murder have
proved futile. Mr.. Copeland was
| interviewed and had nothing further to
say than had already been published.
Some paper had stated that Mackinson
was Mr.. Bells cousin, and he wished it
corrected, as there Was no truth in the
statement. Mr.. Copeland says he is con
fident that Mackinson committed the
crime, and that lie deserves to die. He
| talks freely on the matter He is nice
appearing man. and has stood his trouble
bravely.
THE SCAFFOLD.
The scaffold is erected in the northeast
corner of the jail yard, and has seen SER
vice before. The drop was used in the
execution of Heilwagon, in Rock Island.
and that of GALLON, at Cambridge. 1t is
three and half feet square. The up
rights are sixteen feet high, and the bar
above about fourteen feet long The
platform is twelve feet square, stands
eight feet above the ground, and is
reached by stair of twelve steps. An
awning covered the scaffold, to prevent
outsiders from gazing at the spectacle.
About 12 O'Clock large crowd gath
cred in front of the Jail, but none but the
clergy, sheriffs, jurors and members of
the press were admitted. Mackinson re-
tired last night at 10 o'clock and slept
soundly. awakening at an early hour this
morning and ate hearty breakfast with
evident relish. His spiritual adviser.
Rev. Sanders, visited him this morning
and tried to have him make confession.
but he stoutly maintained his innocence
to the very last. Shortly after / O'Clock
the doomed man was led from his cell
with Revs Sanders and Newman on |
either side, Sheriff Wilson in advance, |
Sheriff Goodell in the rear, followed by |
Sheriff Reticker and the sheriff of Peoria |
Mackinson was dressed in neatly fitting |
black suit with black neck tie. While |
on his way TO the scaffold |
he met and shook hands with Copeland, |
the husband of the murdered woman. He |
mounted the scaffold with firm step. At |
l 90 Sheriff GoodelI read the death war
rant, after which Rev. w. L. Sanders of
fered up prayer The doomed man pro
tested his innocence 10 the last.
HIS LAST WORDS
were as follows: Il did not commit this
deed; | ask no one to take my word, but |
it is true. | would just as soon die if it |
was not for my brothers and sisters; |
hope that God will forgive the man who
killed Mrs. Copeland; 1 bid you all fare
well and hope to meet you in better |
land" The black cap was put on. and |
when the rope was being adjusted he told |
the sheriff not to get excited, and said he |
did not blame him, but knew he was doing |
his duty.
THE END.
AT exactly thirty minutes after one
o'clock the drop fell He fell just eight
'eet, dislocating the neck, and after ten
minutes his pulse ceased to beat, and Just
seventeen minutes after he was pro-
dead, after which he was cut
Town, put in his coffin and exposed to the
REV of the assemblage. From the time
he WINS taken from his cell up to the last
he showed extraordinary power
If will; not n muscle was seen to culver.
None of his relatives were present at the