The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-11-24

perSonS. Inc crowd was orderly ana
curiosity seemed the only motive that
led them to endure the piercing cold.
All they got was sight of Smith as
he was taken from the Jail to the en-
trance of the temporary yard.
The execution took place within
the Enclosure built in the rear of the
jail, the fence haying having been 16
feet high. Entrance into the yard
was obtained by means of a gate on
the side, just in the rear of the Jail.
This gate was reached from the rear
door of the sherf's residence, and in
doing so an open space of about TO
feet had to be traversed. The scaffOld
stood in the centre of the enclosure
and the stairs were on the right side
of the structure as one entered the
gate. The scaffold was erected by P.
A. Chisholm, who had never seen a
similar structure. 1t was well de-
signed and substantially built, and
worked like d charm. The platform
was eight feet from the ground and
the drop. which was on the side of
the platform nearest the Jail. was
about four feet square. 1t was sprung
by means of a lever placed at the
side Of the stairs in such manner
that the sheriff could push it when
he reached the second step. The rope
used was of the finest Italian hemp,
and made for the purpose.
SMITHS LAST WORDS.
Only the number Ofspectators, and
the physicians, clergy and officials al
lowed by law witnessed the execu-
ton. From II to o'clock Smith ate
dinner and prayed and sang with
Rev. Ison in his cell. AT l P. NJ. the
procession was formed, consisting Of
the sheriff and his deputies, the mill
tary guard, the condemned man and
the chaplain, came out of the rear
door of the Jail and thence to the gate
Of the enclosure. Smith calmly
smoked a cigar. He was to the eye
a man of medium height, strongly
built, and weighed when first arrest
ed, about $50 pounds, but on the day
of his execution probably not oyer
165. He was a dark mulatto. with
large head, prominent eyes and short
moustache and beardg He Wasplain-
| ly dressed and wore SLOUGH hat.
Just before he reached the gate he
turned his head toward the crowd,
smiled and said: Farewell to
everybody; God bless you ALL"
He walked firmly and assembled the
scaffold without a tremor. Beside
Sheriff Jamison, the condemned man,
and Rev. Ison. there we're upon the
scaffold four deputies, j. Cropp,
William Browning, Charles Jamison
and Lit. Chisholm, of company B,
and military guard consisting of
LIT. d. M. Mason and privateS Wolf,
West. Browning and Combs, all Of
company B, and Mr.. H. Wheeler
Combs, one of Smiths counsel, who
accompanied the latter at his special
request. Mr.. Peddicord, the other
counsel. was on duty with the mli4
tary. DIR. J. Lee McComas, the Jail
surgeon, and DR.. E. H. Bartlett, were
in attendance, and remained on the
ground near the scaffOld.
Immediately on reaching the scat
fold Rev. Ison read the 5lst Psalm,
and then offered an earnest prayer.
Smith had soon after mounting the
scaffold spit out his cigar. This hands
being pinioned). During the relig-
ious services his face was calm, but
it cost him great effort. as shown by
his slightly quivering lower limbs
and twitching hands. After the
prayer he spoke as follows, starting
in a clear firm voice: my dear
friends: It's very hard when man
comes to die like this; but it's no
difference what the death is. so the
soul is ready to live with God. am
ready TO die. (Here he sobbed). I
weep, not because am to die, but
because of the deed for which Pm &C.
cused. I don't deny it. l done it
I, John Herbert Smith. But l was
persuaded to do it, and was under the
influence of liquor at the time. l
have prayed God to forgive me and
hope my fellow-men have forgiven
me-" Here he broke down and Sob
bed, but quickly recovered. and turn
ing to Sheriff Jamison, said in low
voice: 81 am ready" Then turning
to the spectators, said: "Good-bye,
God bless you" Sheriff Jamison
and his deputies then pinioned his
legs. During this operation Smith
stood calmly and smiled. Observing
a man in front of him sobbing he
said reprovingly "Don't weep, my
friend it's all for the better" AT