St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1883-10-20
THE EXTREME PENALTY.

IA Murder for Paltry Gain Expiated--The
Execution of Sam Mcdonald at Fort
Wayne, Ind, for the Murder of Louis
Laurend, Of ArcoIa.
FORT WAYNE. IND, October 9,
The execution of Samuel Mcdonald for
murder of Louis Laurend at Arcola took
place in the jail Enclosure to-day. McDon-
aid was in counsel last night until three
O'Clock this morning with his spiritual adj
visers, Fathers Brammer and Hartman, of
the Catholic Church. At that hour he
threw himself on his bed and slept soundly
until seven o'clock this morning. He ate
hearty breakfast, and at eleven O'Clock this
morning was again visited by the priests,
who remained with him until the execution.
AT noon the gates were thrown open to
those holding tickets. Two hundred and
sixty three were admitted and witnessed
the execution, the first for twenty-elght
years in this county. At 1:20 o'clock the
procession entered the Enclosure, headed by
Sheriff Schieter, followed by the condemns
ed man, supported on one side by Deputy
Sheriff Doyle and on the other by Fathers
tBrammer and Hartman. When Mcdonald
came in view of the scatfold his eyes drop
ped to the ground, but when he came to the
steps he assembled them with firm tread
and faced the audience. Sheriff Schiefer
read in clear tone the death warrant.
When he closed, and before he could ask
Mcdonald if he had anything to say, the
latter addressed the audience, saying:
"Gentlemen, ] have nothing to say.
have nothing to say at all; only hope God
will forgive me. Good-by, all of you.n
His arms were then pinioned and his
limbs strapped. He then turned to the
priest to kiss the crucifix. The black cap
was placed over his head and the deputies
stepped back to let Sheriff Shiefer press the
L.. L,.ov, fall
The body turned twice and then hung mo-
ttionless for a minute, when slight contor-
itions were visible and attempts to move the
arms and limbs were made. The drop was
six feet. At Al life was pronounced ex-
ltinct by the physicians in attendance. On
examination the neck was found to be dis
located. After the body was cut down it
was coffined and taken to the home of his
parents, in Arcola, for burial. Not an ac-
cident happened during the ordeal. Cal
,houn street for three blocks from the jail
was so densely crowded that all attempts
to get through the crowd were abandoned.
Over 10000 country people We're in town,
most of them from Arcofa and Lake Town
ships, the scene of the tragedy. The father
and brother of the murdered man occupied
front seats in the inclosure and watched
the entire proceeding. McDonald's broth0
was also in the jail, but he did not see the
hanging. The fire department were out
and were on top Of the Jail walls, and with
their hose kept the curious crowd from off
the tops Of djoining buildings. The entire
police force were on hand and surrounded
fhe jail-yard. Mcdonald was twenty -ntne
years of age. His mother has been with
him nearly all the time for the last few
days, but had her last interview with kim
yesterday. The remains will be buried to-
morrow on the farm of his parents MAR
.Arcola. Although Mcdonald made no ai-
rect confession, the words used on the schf.
fold and to others that no one was guilty Of
the crime but himself are virtually an sd
mission of his guilt.