The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-09
THE EXECUTION.
The Condemned Man Conducts Himself COolly
and Calmly In His Last Moments.

The Condemned Man Conducts Himself COolly
and Calmly In His Last Moments.
Yesterday was the day of execution, and thou
sands thronged the streets outside of the Jail and
gathered on the roofs of adjoining buildings and
in the courthouse windows. But to them ap-
peared only high board fence, shutting out
sight of a scaffold. except it's shed: The specta-
tors admitted to the yard were limited to 200,
and they began to enter early. Demand after
demand for tickets was made, but the sheriff
emphatically declined to give any admissions be-
yond the limit he had fixed. No day could have
been more beautiful in sunshine and brisk spring
air.
Phillips slept we'll after a very hearty supper
the night before The shadow of death did not
disturb him in the least. He arose at the prs-
oners' usual awakening hour, and went into the
hall of the cell-room with his prison associates.
He did not eat any breakfast.
At half past o'clock Father Bessonies came
and administered the communion, and two hours
later the condemned mans mother paid her fare
we'll visit Tho meeting and parting were affect
ing, without violent grief or ostentation. At
10 o'clock the good priest returned and for an
hour remained alone with Phillips. Then came
the dressing for the scaold. and the only sign of
weakness on the part of the condemned man oc-
Cured while this was being done by John Keel
ing and John j. Jones, two prisoners For q
moment he trembled and frightened look
Swallowed his face It was fifteen minutes to IL
o'clock, noon. that the march to the scaffold be-
gan, Sheriff Carter leading the way. follow by
Phillips and Father Bessonies, the assisting
deputies and reporters coming then in oreer.
Once during the short walk around the small
k~xr Al .osl 1lst~
condemned man showed slight symptom of
emotion He quietly took out his hand
kerchief, wiped his eyes. and then firmly
walked to the scaffold Not shade gathered-on
the face, nor was there culver of muscle to
snow that he dreaded death. With firm STEP he
assembled the scaffold, and. taking his place in
the center, quietly and attentively listened to
the reading of the deathwarrant Those near
him could hear his hard breathing, but even then
his courage did not forsake him. and when the
religious service began. with simple devotion he
repeated the Lords prayer and the apostles
creed. Father Bessonles prayed fervently and
eloquently, the cross was kissed by Phillips, and
then CAME his last moment on earth. He de-
clined to say. anything to the spectators, and
Deputy Sheriff John Long, assisted by Bailiff
John Carleton. OF the Criminal Court, adjusted
the straps about the arms and legs and the moose
about the neck The black cap was drawn down
over tho face. and in an instant from the
spring Of the trap Robert j. Phillips hung
six feet. There WAS no shocking sight, for the
fall was straight as that OF plumb line. In a
minute or two the body ceased to whirl around,
and Coroner Stratford and Dr. Field, the Jail
physician, assisted by Drs. Rocker and Metcalf,
noted the pulses beat 1t raised from twenty
seven at the first half minute after the trap fell
to eighty at the nine and half minutes. 1t
fell again, and then jumped to eighty once more.
after that falling gradually until it became i'm,
perceptible at the fourteenth and a half minute.
ran WAS az OF min nfaca afr
o'clock, and twenty minutes later Phi!lipss life
had gone out His neck was broken, the separa-
ton being at least three-quarters of an inch.
Ripley & Hedges had charge of the body, and
crowds Of the curious were allowed to pass
through their to view it. The
dead mans friends meet the expenses of the fu-
neral. which will take place this afternoon at
o'clock The body will be buried in the Catholic
cemetery. TWAS reported last night that Coro-
ner Stratford would hold an inquest over the re-
mains, but that official desires that the state
ment should be made that he will do nothing of
the kind.