The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1883-07-21
The FOul Tragedy Avenged And
the Law Satisfied.
How the Doomed Man Spent His Last
Night on Earth.
Scenes and Incidents In and About the
JaiI This Morning.
In His Dying Words Mcmillan Accuses His
Own Father of the Awful
Crime.

George Mcmillan was hung by Sheriff
Henry Altekruse at 1I:15 o'clock this
morning. Mcmillan dropped like log
at the pull of the lever, and exhibited
no outward sign of life after the drop.
At eleven o'clock Sheriff Altekruse, as
requested by Mcmillan, came to the
doomed mans cell. Amid his tears and
sObs Mcmillan asked the Sheriff to see
that his little ones were well
taken care of. The Sheriff promis-
ed to attend to his request, and then
shook hands and said gOOd-by. McMil-
Ian then said farewell to those about
him, and putting on his coat was led be-
tween Rev. Osborn and Turnkey WagO-
ner along the corridor, through an open
cell to the gallOws. He had ceased to
cry and his face turned deathly pale.
He was limp and restless, his head
hanging loosely upon his shoulders.
The black cap was then placed over
his head and the rope adjusted. Pre-
ViOusly to this his legs and arms were
strapped and hand cuffed.
Sheriff Altekruse asked Mcmillan If
he had anything to say just befJre the
the cap was placed over his face. He
replied: 81 want to ste Rev. DIR. Saltz-
man OF SalineVille." The latter gentle
man was in the crowd below, A slip
ladder was placed in position, and he as
cended to the scaffOld. Mcmillan then
said. 81 die an innocent man. My state
ments are true. Pray for me and nv
children" Rev. SALESMAN then began
praying, and while thus engaged Nc
MILAN said: IL die an innO-
cent man. The life taken was
DONE BY MY FATHER.
Before Rev. SALESMAN concluded his
prayer, aud but moment after McMil-
Ian finished, the lever was pulled by
Sheriff Altekruse at 11:I5 o'clock and
the body of George Mcmillan dropped to
death. He exhibited no outward sign of
life after the drop. The body was raised
at 11:40, having hung 25 minutes.
The pulsatiOnS were taken by the
physicians in charge every half minute.
The pulse ceased at the expiration of
liz minutes and the heart at 11:4O
O'Clock, when life was pronounced ex-
tinct. The following Is the state of the
pulsatiOns: AZ, 40, AZ, no. "A, 81, 90, 60, 81,
32, 10, %, %, 80, "a, 81, 20, %, 80, 90, %,
26, 22.5., death. McMillan's neck was
not broken, death ensuing from strangu-
latiOn. Mcmillan never breathed after
the drop. The following physicians
were in charge: Coroner Leininger,
Jail Physician johnson and Drs. Fraun-
felter, Schooner, Smith, Slusser. A. B.
Walker, of Canton, Gardner, of Brook
field, G. w. and j. H. SanOr, Of Minerva,
Brown, of New Philadelphia, Halde-
man, of Hanover, Bye, of Waynesburg,
and A. p. l.. Pease, of MassillOn.
The jail physician and coroner will
take the body in charge and will hold a
post mOrtem examination upon the re-
mains In the jail between 2 and 3
o'clock this afternoon.
At IL o'clock the body was laid in a
coffin, and the coffin placed under tree
in the jail yard near the fence where
the crowds of people who surrounded
The Jail, passed along and gained view
of the corpse. McMillan's remains will
be turned over to his mother, according
to his own directions.
The third Black Friday in the annals
of Stark county daWned bright and
clear. The morning was cool and pleas
ant, but the bright rays of the sun did
not penetrate the confines of the county
Jail to shed its warmth upon the man,
who so soon was to meet death on the
scaffOld. Mcmillan had not slept any
during the night, and kept up his spirits
to a surprising degree. He neither
ignOminOus death was staring in the
face. At seven O'Clock Turnkey Wagon
er brought him breakfast of
beefsteak, fish, eggs, potatoes,
bread and coffee, of which
Mcmillan partOOk heartily. After fin
ishing the meal he sat smoking and
chatting pleasantly with those present.
He appeared in excellent humOr and
cracked several jokes. He still had hopes
for Communication, and did not give up
this hope, until at 8 o'clock Sheriff Alte-
kruse read to him the death warrant
The reading of the document was the
first tntimation he had that the sentence
OF death was to be fulfilled. He was
stunned by the news, and was greatly
affected.
Rev. Osborne, of the First Methodist
Church, entered the cell and spent some
time talking to him of his soul. He
offered up very fervent prayer in be-
half Of the condemned man and bap-.
tised him. During these proceedings
he appeared greatly affected, frequently
breaking out in tears. He then wrote a
letter stating the disposition of his
children, which letter he placed in the
hands Of Rev. Osborne. He then made
request that his children be sent for,
that he might see them before he died.
They were sent for by the Sheriff, and
In talking to the reporters before their
arrival he stoutly affirmed his innO-
cenee, and said, "DOn't you know that
God will pardon an innocent man. If
the devil shOnId come after me this mo-
ment, know nothing Of the whole mat
Ter rOmabegiRning to end. That he