The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1883-01-26
HANGMAN'S DAY IN HARTFORD.
Execution of Arthur Preston.

Arthur Preston, colOred, was hanged i'll the
jail-yard, Bel Air, last Friday, for the muir
der of Mary Dorsey, colored, on the 18th of
April, 1882 lie met his death with the ut
most composurc, but whether from Christian
fortitudc or from brute courage that saw no
chance of escape, can not be known.
THE NIGHT BEFORE.
Preston, after he was sentenced was regu-
larly visited by Rev. James b. Craighill, of
Emmanuel Protestant Episcopal Church,
Bel Air. He listened attentively and respect
fully to the admonitiOns and counsel of the
the minister, and for several weeks before the
day of execution showed deep interest in
his spiritual welfare. He appeared to realize
his condition and to be truly repentant. The
Holy Communion was administered to him,
on Thursday morning, by Rev. Mr.. Craighill,
who again spent an hour with him in the
evening, Preston afterwards sang hymns
until II o'clock, when he went TO sleep
Deputy Sheriff James V. WhitefOrd, who
was stationed in the corridor in front of the
cell, says Preston apparently slept soundly
all night.
THE MORNING OF THE EXECUTION.
The prisoner awoke early Friday morning
Going TO his cell window, which overlooks
the stable yard of the Changers Hotel, he
saw the hoster, an acquaintance, and called
to him: "Hello, old boy, my times drawing
near" He ate hearty breakfast, served
from Deputy Sheriff Carman's table.
At half past ten o'clock Rev. Mr.. Craighill,
Rev. Samuel Brown, pastor of the colored NJ.
L. Church, and George Dougherty, colored,
class leader in the same church, were ad-
mitted to Preston's CELL Prayers were of
fered by Rev. Mr.. Craghill, followed by the
others, and at Mr.. CraighilPs suggestion, the
condemned man cndeavored to pray audibly.
His words were almost incoherent, but he
manifested the deepest solemnity. About
halfpast eleven O'clock Sheriff Whiteford
read the death.warrant to the prisoner. He
heard it unmoved, probably not understand
ing the dread purport of its words, and only
realizing in a general way what it meant
Deputy Sheriff Carman then produced n bun
die of cord. Preston crossed his hands and
they were securely tied. His arms were also
pinioned to his sides. While the latter oper-
alton was performing he gave slight shud.
der, which was the only sign of trepidation
displayed. Indeed he appeared more calm
and unmoyed than any one else in the cell.
Before this time those who had tickets
were admitted to the place of execution, and
guards were stationed outside to prevent per-
sons from approaching the enclosure, A
number of persons had perched themselves
on the roofs Of the surrounding houses, but
they could see very little of what was trans
piring within the enclosure. In all about
thirty -five persons were admitted including
the twenty witnesses required by law, repre-
sentatives of the press, physicians and the
sheriff"s deputies. There was no excitement
in the town, and stranger would not have
thought anything unusual was about to take
place
THE MARCH TO THE sCAFFoLD.
At lao the preparations for the execution
were completed, and the prisoner was
marched to the scaffold. The procession was
led by Rev Mr.. Craighill, the criminal follow
ing, Sheriff Whicford, Deputy Carman, Rev.
Mr.. Brown and George Dougherty bringing
up the rear. Preston was dressed in q neat
new suit of black Clothes furnished by the
Sheriff, and he had white gloves on his hands
He walked with firm step that never fall
tered. AS his eyes fell on the scafold and the
crowd surrounding it, he appeared little
frightened, but he passed through the open
window leading to the scatiold without hes
itation, assembled the steps and deliberately
walked to the centre. of the platform and
halted.
Rev. Mr.. Craighill advanced to his side
and read the commendatory prayer for the
dying, from the Book of Common Prayer, the
Declaration of Absolution from the Com
munion service and the Benedction. The
minister then shook Preston by the hand, ex
horting him TO repeat, at the last moment,
the words: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit"
The colored minister also babe him farewell,
and all except Sheriff Whiteford and Deputy
Carman left the platform. Sheriff Whiteford
then asked the prisoner if he had anything
to say, and Preston replied that he would
like to speak to Deputy Sheriff James v
Whiteford. Mr.. Whiteford came forward
and Preston addressed him as follows, speak
ing calmly and distinctly: you've always
been good and kind to me, Mr.. Whiteford-
God bless you. hope to meet you in heav-
en-"
Mr. Whiteford replied: "Thank you, Ar
thur. Goodbye"
Preston was then asked if he wanted to
make any other remarks, and replied no.
Deputy Carman then tied his feet together
and placed upon him a black gown, reaching
from his shoulders to his feet A black hood
was next drawn over his head. The rope
which was suspended from the beam above
was lowered, and the moose placed around
his neck. While Mr. Carman was adjusting
the knot under his left ear, Preston said -
"Please fix it right, so l will not suffer
much"
THE TRIGGER PULLED.
Sheriff Whiteford and Mr.. Carman then
left the scaffold. The final preparations &C.
cupied only seven minutes, from the time
Preston left his cell, and at II AZ the trigger
was pulled, the trap fell and Preston dropped
with rush. A dull thud and a cracking
noise were heard. The latter was probably
made by the mans feet striking the ground
by reason of the undue stretching of the rope.
Many persons closed their eyes, unable 10 en-
dure the sight, but Others saw what had &C.
CURED, and the rope was Immediately short.
ened, the body being drawn up eight or nine
inches. Death was probably instantaneous
The body swung in the air, and after several
minutes a slight motion of the shoulders was
perceptible. No other motion was seen.
Nine mnutes after the drop fell Drs. II. d.
Lee, Wake 3. Munnikhuysen, VIM s. Arch
er and T. ID. Turner examined the body and
found that the pulse has ceased to beat.
Seventeen minutes afterWards the gown
was removed and the body lowered to
the top of a coffin, which mad been placed
beneath it. The feet and hands were united
and the rope removed. The physicians then
made another examination and pronounced
him dead. The mans neck was probably
broken, as the head rolled from side to side
as the body was moved.
DISPOSITION OF THE BODY.
The EeEpains were placed in the coffin,
plain poplar one, made by Mr.. Nathan Dean,
of Bel Air, and the lid was screwed down
request for the body was made by n