The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-10-10

Wayne for the Murder of Louis Lau-
rent March 23 Last.
Special to the Sentinel:
FIT. WAYNE, Ind, Oct 9.-The execution of
Samuel Mcdonald in this city to-day
pronounced success so far as the proper
working off of the condemned is concerned.
The engine of death was simply perfect in
all its details aud the death of the culprit
was instantaneous. The condemned man
passed restless night, was up bright and ear
ly this morning and willingly placed himself
under the ministration of his spiritual adj
yissers. Fathers Brammer and Hartman. He
ate a hearty breakfast, and an hour before his
death devastateda full grown meal of steak,
eggs and potatoes, relishing everything Of
fered. AT precisely p. IN. he was led forth
from his cell. fanked on either side by a
Deputy Sheriff and priest, the latter recit-
ing the miserere as they marched to the
scaffold, which, upon being reached, was as
cended by the condemned man with a steady
step and apparently unmoved as far as any
outward emotions were visible. Arriv-
ing upon the platform, Sheriff Shiefer
in clear voice read the death warrant, the
condemned man seeming to pay no particu-
lar attention to this useless formality, but
kept his eyes steadily fixed upon the cross
held up before him by Father Brammer, at
the conclusion of which Mcdonald stepped
forward, and addressing the auditory pres
ent, said: Gentlemen, l have nothing to
say, only l hope God will forgive me-"
Then, after brief hesitation, he added:
"Good-by to all of you" Not tremor was
noticeable in his voice, nor was there any
evidence of weakening. Sheriffs Nelson and
Doyle then proceeded to pinion the prisoner
in the usual manner. while the attending
priest recited the prayers in extremis. The
black muslin cap having been properly adj
justed, Sheriff Shiefer stepped upon the
spring which released the prop to the treach-
erous trap letting the victim fall six feet
The knot originally placed beneath the
left ear shifted to the back of the neck,
notwithstanding which fact the neck was
dislocated A few muscular cOntortions of
the legs alone were seen, bat it was evident
that death was instantaneous. Sheriff Shiefer
is highly complimented by the excellent
manner in which he discharged his enforced
yet disagreeable duties. neither he nor any of
his assistants having witnessed an execution
before The parents and affianced of the con-
demned man had taken their leave of him
yesterday, one brother alone staying to wit
ness the terrible finale. The father and one
brother of McDonald's victim were present,
and seemed satisfied that justice had been
done, they having generously extended their
pardon this morning to the un happy man.
The remains were conveyed to the residence
of the parents of the deceased, who will bury
them day after tomorrow upon their farm,
eight miles north of the city, near the town
of Arcola, where the tragedy occurred, on
the 23d day of March last 1t is understood
that Mcdonald has left written confession,
to be given to the public at the end OF thirty
days.
Mcdonald murdered Louis Laurert. his cabin
companion. lie was last seen in his company on the
night of March % in the cabin in clearing On the
10Th the body of Laurent was found in the cabin
frghtfully mutilated. Mcdonald was convicted o
murder in the fist degree May -. The evidences
was wholly circumsIantia but so overwhelmin.
that no doubt of his guilt existed full sketch
of the crime ana trial was published in Tuesday
| Sentinel