The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-04-23
THE DEATH MARCH.


the prisoners arms, assisted by Deputies Mans
field and Morton, and sheriff Wadsworth, of
Belfast
THE DEATH MARCH.
The gallows had been erected under a plat
form near the end of the carriage store house
1t was hidden entirely from the view of all the
buildings and faced the pond in the centre OF
the lime quarry. The floor of the scatfold was
T. feet square and II feet from the ground
From it one saw the bare gray walls of the
prison and gazed into the glewsome depths OF
the quarry close at its feet. The scutfoId was
which was bought of the United States in 1865
to hang Spencer, murderer of Warden Tinker
upon. This beam, which is of Norway pine
and does not rot. has suspended in all six mur.
derers besides those of Friday. The gallow,
was very strongly built. The trap is 5X6 feet
heavily weighted and held up by two pins anC
an iron catch, the former being removed W hen
the condemned men took position, leaving on,
the catch to be displaced by the light touch OF
the >herltf> foot ON the spring below. The
>catfold vas erected on Wednesday, and wa,
furnished by +. Ii. Orbeton, of Rockland, anC
built by j. B. Waterhou>e of the same place
just before twelve o'clock standard time, tine
procession filed out of the west door of the
prison in the following order
Sheriff Irish
SantOre led by Sheriff Wadsworth and Deputy
Morton.
Fathers Boniface, Harrington and Peterson.
Capone led by Deputy Porter and officer Pea
body.
ON THE GALLONS.
The march extended across the ward, through
the carriage store house to the gaiows. The
prisoners We're placed on the drop side by side
when their legs Were firmly pinioned. Father
Bonlface conducted the services in the Italian
tongue to which Santore loudly responded. He
seemed to be thoroughly imbued with bis relg
ion and ardentIy kissed the crucfix when pre-
sented to his lips. CapOne was more sulen
and had TO be spoken to sharply before he
would repeat PRAYER after Father Bonifaee
lie also kissed the cructiX. Santore spoke fire.
quently the priest interpreting. IIe said ~ for
give all my enemies, without one exception.
implore the pardon of God for my sins and am
truly penitent. Justice has sentenced me to
death, and am fulfilling the provisions of the
law. | forgive all-all, without one exception
As he said the last words he glanced at Capone
at his side. "Goodby all. and many thanks to al
for your kindness" Then. seeing officer Feehan
OF the prison near The gallows, he called out
"Good-by, Mr.. Feehan: good-by.'
THE DROP FALLS.
The moose having been adjusted and the black
caps drawn over their faces, sheriff Irish, in a
Slightly trembling voice. said, "Now BY the
authority in me vested Nv the Governor Of the
State of Maine, | hereby hang you by the neck
till you are dead, dead, dead. And may Goo
have mercy on your souls" As he pronounced
the fatal words he touched the spring with bis
foot at one minute past twelve, and the DROP
fell. Both men dropped eight feet. Santort
died without struggle while Il slight contrac.
ton of Capone's limbs was observed Drs
Banks, Hitchcock. Levensaer and Gerri,t
made frequent examinations. At eight and &
half minutes the pulse ceased to beat and the
heart stopped at thirteen inmates. After the
bodies hung twenty-three minutes they were
lowered into their collins. The necks of botl
men were diSlocated.
The execution was private, the Warden and
Sheriff closely following the statutes. There
were but twelve passes issued. and Including
The deputies, physicians and prison officials
perhaps thirty people present, in all.
1t was trying occasion for the spectators
A bright sun shone down upon the scene, the
green grass was showing itself, the birds out
side the prison walls were chirping, and every
thing spoke of life. These two men in the
midst of this beauty stood upon the galioWs
in the full bloom of health and life In one in.
staut they were launched into eternity. 1t was
a scene never 10 be forgotten.
Sheriff Irish conducted his disagreeabIe duty
with The utmost precision and was ably assist.
ed by his three deputies, Messr>. Porter, Nor
ton and Mansfield. Sheriff Wadsworth, of Bel
fast was also pressed into service and rendered
efficient assistance. The rope used in the hang
Ing was OF the best quality of hemp, made eX-
pressly for the occasion. 1t was not much
over half an inch in diamater, but was
nearly as firm AS iron. When Sheriff Irish
raised his foot from the fatal spring and all
was over, his nerves relaxed from their rigid
tension, and the tears rolled down his checks.
1t was the opinion of all present that he bore
himself manfully and performed his duty as
well as was ever done i'll such case. The
bodies were sent to the medical school at
Brunswick, It's no friends called for them.
The crime of these Italians in no way reflects
upon the morals of the people of Maine. They
not speak our language, even, and whatever
cussedness they mad, they brought with them
from their own country. large number of
our people are opposed to hanging. and call it
but another form of murder, but while eX-
pressing sympathy for the murderers let them
recall the poor victim, who was so cruelty
murdered by these tiends. Human life must
be protected, and it is believed that few such
executions as those on Friday last will have a
wholesome effect in preventing crimes like
the penalty.
The portraits we present are very good like
ness of the two men. The journal is indebted
to Messrs. Robbins a. OTIS of the Rockland
Opinion, for their use. The publication of the
Opinion was delayed on Friday until after the
execution, when Il full and comprehensive ac-
count was given. The Opiniou's enterprise
was rev arded by large extra sales.
Another editor is 10 be congratulated Mars
ton, of the HallOWell Register. who moQeStly