Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1883-04-02
EXECUTION OF MRS. MEAKER

qualities of his character.
EXECUTION OF MRS. MEAKER.
WINDSOR, VT, March 80. The
condemned woman retired at 10
o'clock last night and slept soundly
until this morning, when she arose
and ate hearty breakfast with ev-
ident relish. She then smoked a
pipe of strong tobacco. In accord
ance with a request made yesterday
to see the gallows, she was led out
by the Sheriff this morning to exam
inc instrument of death. She closely
scrutinized every part of the struct-
ure. She assembled the scaffold alone
with firm tread and without emo
ton, and inquired of the Sheriff if
she would be required to climb the
fatal stairs unassisted at the final
moment. The drop with the mode
of it's working were looked into with
an air of morbid curiosity, and, eye
ing the trap, she asked lis that the
placer" After returning to her quar-
tiers she was visited by the Chaplain,
who remained offering spiritual con-
ISOLATION to the wretched woman near
ly half an hour.
Shortly before noon Sheriff Frank
III. Anterior, the detector of the
crime had an interview with Mrs.
Meaker; she appeared very glad to
see him and shook his hand warmly.
She inquired after her husband and
daughter, and then with much agita-
ton said, "Tell them / am to be
murdered to-day-an innocent wo-
man." She alluded to Almon's con-
fession as lie and said he had
brought her to the gallows. When
Mr.. AtheTton rose to leave she began
to cry and kissed his right hand
twice, and sending her love to the
folks at home she cried. "Good bye,
good bye" as he left.
Mrs. Meaker's dinner was hearty
one, and the fact of it's being he1
last meal did not affect her appetite.
She filled up her old black pipe again
with strong tobacco and enjoyed q
few whiffs to quiet her nerves, which.
however gave no manifestation OF
weakness. She was again and fol
the last time visited by the Chaplain.
When the chaplain visited Mrs
Meaker for the last time, shortly be.
fore l O'Clock, he said; "Mrs
Meaker, now ask you for the las
time, and in the presence of death, il
you have any confession to make ?
She solemnly answered: "I have
nothing further to say. | am al
innocent woman"
At l o'clock, the time set for adj
hitting persons holding passes, abou
100 entered the prison, an anxious
crowd meanwhile standing outside
the walls waiting to hear the an
nouncement of the execution of tn,
death penalty on the first woman eve
executed in Vermont. Sharp at
o'clock the massive prison door open
ed and the holders of tickets passet
in under the shadow of the gallows.
Sheriff Amsden then proceeded a
once to the cell of the doomed wo
man and bound her for the fna
! scene. Mrs. Meaker came fort
, shortly after, walking in procession
| headed by the Sheriff, the deputie
e following. She was neatly attire
in a black cambria dress, with
white ruche and kerchief about he
neck. She walked firmly and almos
defantly, and assembled the step
unaided and alone. Prayer wa
/. offered by the Chaplain, for whic
n Mrs. Meaker said, 'sThank you.
a Sheriff Amsden then held the deaf
e warrant before her eyes as she
:, stone deaf, and at the bottom We
e written: "Have you anything to So
f why the sentence of death should M
e be pronounced upon you?' In
n solemn and agitated tone she e1
d claimed, Chang me if you want
/ murder me, but / am an innocel
}. woman
e The Sheriff and Deputies the
y placed the rope about her neck al
lie slipped the black cap over her hea,
Is In an instant. at 1.34 o'clock, al
l. before the spectators fully realize
a the situation, Sheriff Amsden touch'
e. the fatal spring, and the body
in Emiline Lucy Meaker shot dow
as ward. In second her body W
IN seized by the officers and physical
r. and steadied, and without any apr
6, ciable commissions she paid the pc
lg atty of her crime in the execution
ne the law. Life was soon pronounc
of extinct.
C. The wretched woman died frien
in less and alone, no kith nor kin bel
IS present to offer her consolation
es her last hour. Her own husba
It and child are unwilling to have
he dead body brought home, and SO
IS. will be buried in the State Pris