Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-05-29

IIO" yOu ANoN Ate7e hAe3ANs
"Had very good nights rest"
az suppose you have been greatly an
noyed by newspaper reporters, have
you not?'
"Yes, Sir; they have pumped me al
most to death. Yesterday l gave one
of them the grand bounce" This with
a broad smile.
1t was noticeable that some of the
curious crowd who went to the Jail were
content to peep in at the door and re-
tire with look of horror on their faces,
while Others, even of the gentle sex,
would walk bravely up to the bars of
the prisoners walk and converse with
him in a perfectly unconcerned man
ner. From Tuesday noon until
Wednesday evening, fully 1000 per-
sons visited the Jail.
Just before retiring for his last night
upon earth Johnson indulged in the
following ngconversation with night watch
Chas. Rostetter: 81 have a heavy weight
to bear. If you had to stand upon that
scaffold tomorrow like do, you would
find it hard. eyes would" interrupt
ed the watch. "How will you stand
it," "Why, l can stand upon the
scatfold just as happy as I am now.
God knows 1 love music, and to-mor-
row night 1 will enjoy myself in the
other world with song and music"
With these words he closed the CONVEX
sation, went to bed, and spent the night
in that deep refreshing sleep peculiar
to the innocence of childhood.
Long before o'clock this morning
crowds of people began pouring in from
the country, and early trains brought in
vast numbers, all looking eagerly for
what might be seen, this comprised the
outside walls of the Jail and the mill
tary parading the walks around it.
At half pest 6 Mr.. Philip Webb en-
tered and shaved Johnson.
Shortly after o'clock the undertaken
from Delta arrived with the coffin,
which was taken into the jail and plac-
ed in the corridor of the lower floor,
ready to receive the corps.
Johnson arose about 5 o'clock this
morning and ate moderate breakfast,
before o'clock Revs. Brake and Zook
were admitted and held religious SER
vices with him until 8, when Sheriff
Aller entered the cell and read the fol-
lowing
DEATH WARRANT.
The State of Ohio, Henry County, S.:
To Frederick Aler Sheriff: Whereas, at the JAN
uary term, 1884, of the Court of Common Pleas,
within and for the county of Henry, and State of
Ohio, to-wt: On the Tw lfth day of February, 1884,
upon full, fair, and impartial trial, one Wesley
johnson, now in your custody, was found guilty OF
the deliberate and premeditated murder of one lea
bel Williams, in manner and form charged in the
true bill Of indictment presented by the Grand Jury
| on the First day of November, 1888, and
Whereas, the Court aforesaid, at the term afore-
said, towit On the 18th day Of February, 1884, up
on the nsction Aforesaid, ordered, adjudged and
| sentenced the said Wesley johnson to be imprisoned
in the Jail of the county until the goth day of May
1884, and that on said day last Aforesaid between the
hours of 10 clock A. NJ. and O'Clock P NJ, he be
taken by the Sheriff of the county aforesaid, and
hanged by the neck until he be dead.
This is therefore to command you that you keep
the said Wesley johnson in safe and custody
until the said 29th day of May, 1884. between the
hours of 10 o'clock A. M. and o'clock P. NJ, you
take tn said Wesley johnson and in the place and
manner provided by law, hang him by the neck un,
til he be dead.
OF this Warrant and all your proceedings thereon,
You shall make due return forthwith thereafter.
Witness o. E. Barnes, Clerk of said Court, and
the Seal thereof at Napoleon, in said county, this
10th day of May, A. D. 1884. o. E. BARNES.
[sEAL.1
He stood up and listened to the read
ing of the Death Warrant without the
tremor of muscle.
After reading the death warrant the
ministers were again closeted with the
doomed man. They remained until
4 10 o'clock.
BROUGHT TO THE SCAFFOLD.
At five minutes of 10 o'clock Sheriff
Aller ordered Sheriff Brown, of WooC
county, and Sheriff Blair, of Fulton, tt
bring the prisoner to the scaffold.
After the prisoners arms and leg
had been secured by the Sheriff's il
, charge Sheriff Aller asked him ifhe ha(
anything to say, upon which he re
quested that his necktie and collar b.
p removed. While this was being don
the prisoner rendered assistance by un
buttoning the first collar button, afte
D which the condemned man said in sub
+ stance II don't know that have any
thing in particular to say except t
9 thank Sheriff Aller for the kind an
courteous treatment 1 have receive
+ from him during my T months impris
onment." Subsequent to which re
3 marks he babe the Sheriff a very affet
# tionate good bye and saying 'don't le
!, me remain here long" The black ca
o was pulled over his head, during whic
Il proceeding he said "God help me !'-
These words were scarcely out of h
L mouth when the trap was sprung an
j. he dropped and died ofstrangulation.
i The following sheriffs were presen
r. and assisted in the execution: Geo. n
l. Brown, Wood; Isaac Gutter, Ashland
l. F. 7. Blair, Fulton; Chas. Gordon, Va
h Vert; David w. Paw, Paulding; Jn'
is A. Foust, Defiance; Geo. w. Hall, Licl