Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1884-08-01
PEARSON EXECUTED,
HE PAID THE FULL PENALTY Of
HIS CRIME TODAY.


Preparations at the Jail Pearson
Delivers a Half. Hour Address ou the
Gailows, and Claims that He Killed
Johnny Behind the Rocks in Self.
Defense-ais Solemn Warning to the
Gun Men Game to the Last.
Since the dispatch announcing Gov.
ernor Bunn's refusal to commute Pear
sons sentence was received, the con-
demned man had been in charge of
the "death watch" composed of John
w. Currier, George Campbell, and j.
P. Campbell, one of which kept him
in sight all the time, although they did
not remain in the cell with him. Night
before last Pearson slept about u
hours, walking or sitting down in his
cell the balance of the time.
Alanson Smith, his counsel, arrived
on last nights train and assured the
prisoner that there was no hope for
him. The latter, however, thought
his case could be appealed to the
United States Supreme Court, and
this morning sent for General Roberts,
to consult with him. That gentleman
could not, OF course, give him any en-
enlargement.
The Rev. Mr.. Osborne was with the
prisoner last night until about 10
o'clock, when he left him. Pearson,
after composedly removing his boots,
laid down about II o'clock, but got
up and walked three times, for over
an hour at time, during the night,
without saying a word. He never
slept wink all night.
Since the Supreme Court confirmed
the Judgment in his case the prisoner
has been better fed than the other
prisoners, and been even allowed all
the delicacies which he asked for.
About noon to-day he was even
braced up with a drink of the best
whisky. pint of which had been pro-
cured for the occasion. This was the
first time he had tasted liquor since
his incarceration. AT 1890 he began
making his toilet, and donned an ele-
giant suit Of black diagonal supplied
for the occasion by Sheriff Furey.
The Sheriff had also procured a
wlite flannel shirt for him, but
he preferred to wear a gray fan
mel shirt of his own, given him by a
friend.
The rope was a Z nch cotton rope
procured for the purpose. 1t was
critically examined by U. S. Marshal
Chase in the presence of TIMES re-
porter, and stretched by being tied to
3O0-pound sand-bag, which was
dropped from the scaffold for half all
hour. The slip-noose was found to
work freely, and the rope to be ap-
parently as perfect as possible.
AT THE JAIL.
Probably 400 or 500 persons called
at the Jail to-day, but none were ad.
mitted except the deputy sheriffs
the prisoners counsel, the Rev. Mr.
Grannis, the Rev. Mr.. Osborn, Bishop
Tuttle, and the newspaper reporters
THE DEATH WARRANT READ.
At half-past l o'clock Bishop Tuttle
Alanson Smith, and Rev. Mr.. Osborn
returned from lunch, and were admit
ted to the doomed mans cell. The,
remained with him tor few minutes
when Sheriff Furey appeared, accom-
panied by Deputy Sheriff J. P. Camp
bell. Pearson being brc ught out ir
the corridor the Sheriff read the death
warrant to him, Pearson smoking
calmly while the reading proceeded
Not muscle Of his face moved, to in
dictate fear or pain.
As Sheriff Furey finished this disa
greeable task look of benign salts
faction oversprea'l the prisoners face
"a look of kindly forgiveness, of pos
sible inquiry; then glad smile lighted
up his whole face-as Of Joy that tn,
long struggle had ceased, anxiet,
gone, the welcome end near a
hand. With firm dignity he ros'
from his seat and smilingl,
shook hands with all present, his hant
being steady, his step firm. Then
with the mien of bridegroom goin,
to meet his bride he walked to tn
carriage that was to bear him to tn
scaffold. There was no bravado, n