The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-10-11
RETURNED TO LIFE.

RETURNED TO LIFE.
 Several months ago, negro named 10 Bogart was hanged at Lonoke, Arkanssw. This fact created but ordinary interest, for capital punishment performances in this state are not so rare as a musical voice at country church, but the facs that Eogart has come 10 life again has, as the aspiring newspaper reporter would say, created profound sensation The morning of the execution dawned as usual, and could not have been dis,in- guished from any other day had il no, been for the crowds of people that showed their way to the scene of the death choke. Bogart, in company with ministers and friends, sang and pra, cd a time or two, but soon became tired of the exercise.
 "l'll tell yer whut's CT fack," said he I'd ruther hab CT little mo- whisky an CT little less hallelujah. Singin' an prayin' is mighty sweet ter man whut thinks dat hes gwine ter heaben, but il, ain't so soft an pleasant ter CT man whut knows dat he's gwine ter de udder place So, jes get me CT jug ef yer pleases an let me prepar' myself fur de struggle whut's ter come"
 Argument was useless; olergic prayers were unavailing. A jug of whisky was furnished, and the prisoner entered upon that kind of diversion which many wise men and many fools have thought to be the most enjoyable. When the sheriff announced that the time for the tragic act had come, Bogar arose with difficulty and said:
 Boss, speck I'm mos too drunk ter go through dat 'formance wid credit ter myself"
 "i will assist you," the sheriff replied. " The act is very simple and needs no rehearsal"
 "Ob co'se. I'll take yer advice in de matter. Do it hurt much 2"
 Fl don't know. have hanged several men and never heard any of,hem com plain
 Wall, I'll take one more drink, case airter dis shows ober, 'speck I'll be pro- hibitionist, least wise, k n, step inter back do an take nip. Here's lookin' at yer, MT. Sheriff"
 Drink hearty" replied the sheriff in expressive though uagrammatical cour- tesy.
 The doomed an-borrowed from stereotyped report made no attempt at oratorieal display. He placed no par ticular stress on the glories awaiting him in that world so far away but indeed so close al hand, and took his place on the trap with that calm confidence which surrounds such scenes with an Indian summer halo of solemnity. In opposition to the newspaper report which afterwards appeared, those who were present ,es,i- fed that there was no dull ihud, no sicsening swash of the rope. The victim simply went down until he reached the end of the rope. His neck WIS not broken by the fall The moose slipped, caught the back of his head and the tip of ,he chin. The doctors made repeated examinations, and at the expiration of tventy-seven minutes, agreed that the man had died of s,rangulation. It was sometime before they could agree that the fellow had been hanged, resulting probably from the fact that the schools of allopathy and homeopathy were repre- sensed. but after awhile they agreed ,ha, the rope had been placed around the mans neck still, it was some time before there was unanimity of opinion concern ing the method he had adopted in mak- ing the descent. One physician declared that he had stood on the ground, jumped up and had thrown the rope over the beam, while another one swore that he had first tied the rope and then climbed down. A, last, however, they agreed that the man was dead.
 The father and brother Of Bogafs scok charge of the body, and placing i, in a wagon, started across the county in the direction of old Bogart's home. Just be- fore the burial place was reached, a rumbling noisrrad>ed the father and son to stare at each other in astoaishment. Tearing of the lid of the coffin, they dis covered that Its shrouded oecupan, was alive. He began to rub his eyes, as though awaking from dream of trouble. and, then, raised up and got ou, o: the coffin.
 Got anything ter drink 2" he asked.
 "No,' replied the father.
 "Whut da do wid dat jug? want