Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-09-07
PREsTAN DIES GAME.
Cant. ROundtree Acts as ExecutiOner-
Hanged from a Derrick.
From the HetO York Herald Sent Z.

From the Reto York Herald Sept Z.
Purser Emeson, OF the Pacific mail
steamship Acapulco, which arrived yes-
terday from Colon, brought some interest
ing particulars regarding the execution
of Prestan and other leaders in the late
revolution upon the isthmus. He had in
his room a large picture of the execution
and a smaller portrait of the man him
self, which had been pasted on paper
weight. The latter disclosed the features
OF light colored mulatto, with a pallid,
unwhoesome skin, sharp featured, and a
keen, wideawake look. He wore his hair
brushed up and back, and had little, fluffy
side whiskers. He was not good looking,
but very intelligent, and it was easy to
believe from his portrait that he was
man who had a commanding position
among his fellows.
THE HANGING.
When the populace learned that Pres
tan's death was underlined for positive
performance on the 18th, Ii became clam
orous, and loud threats were made that
the man who served as eXecutioner would
have to attend his own funeral in short
order.
For time the military party were at a
standstill. They held their prisoner safe,
and they had his condemnation written,
sealed and signed. But how to get him
hangedl There was the mob. IL was
like making horse drink after you have
got him to the water. Ofcourse, Yankee
solved the problem. Doughty old Can't.
Roundtree. the American captain OF the
port, who had charge of the Gamecock
when it was stolen by the rebels, said he'd
be banged if he would allow the hanging
| to be postponed for want Of n hangman.
10 4olr bo fato 20 ms olf ~.
no threat. So the Governor ordered thr
execution to go on upon the date named
SOLDIERS ovERAwE THE PoPULACE.
On the 18th the place was in frenzy.
All work was suspended and the popu-
lace turned out in the streets. But the
soldiers were plentiful, and their guns
had sharp bayonets set and fresh car
tridges in the barrels, and they were or
dered to shoot at the first sign Of an out
break and let the investigating be done
afterward.
Opposite the ruins of the burned jail a
derrick was swung over the railroad
track. This was the gallows. Under
meath it fat car was run, surmounted
by dry goods box. These were the plat
form and drop. The condemned man
was brought here, and lightly mounted
this unique scaffold, while a crowd OF
burly labOrers was sent underneath the
car with orders to put their shoulders to
the wheel and push it OFT from
under the prisoner when the signal was
given. Prestan showed no signs OF fear,
though he knew painful death was in
store for him. A line of guards surround
ed the car and a native padre stood near.
Captain Roundtree fixed the moose about
Prestan's neck with the neatness and de-
spatch of an old hand. When all was
ready Prestan turned to the spectators
and yelled:
81 am not afraid Of death. am an
Americana
Then suddenly, before the car could be
moved, he jumped from the box, hoping,
doubtless, to break his neck. He failed to
accomplish this end, however. The moose
tightened and 1t was seen that he was
choking TO death. AS the body slowly
swayed TO and fro, Prestau raised his
hands, which, at his earnest request had
been left unbound. and wiped the foam
from his mouth. He appeared 20 be con-
scious for several minutes, and 1t was half
an hour before he was dead. The body
was cut down and an autopsy held, which
was attended by the high muckamucks.
The brain and heart were taken Out and
preserved In alcohol. Then the official
press Of the republic was ordered to re-
port that feeling of unusual satisfaction
DrpVqilod OVpr thn pxnpuffan