The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1888-02-09
HEROIsM on THE scAFToLD.

HERoIsM on THE sCAFFoLD.
The cemstery Is beautifully located and
anely kept The scARold had been 0uilt
In little wood at the southeastern side
Of the yard, then outside, but since in
cluded in its boundaries. A monument
20 the Confederate dead had since been
erected In this cemetery, and q large por-
ton OF land decided by the cemetery asso-
citation for their burial, and Il was at the
edge Of this plot that the great tragedy
took place. No element Of melancholy
horror was omitted. A shallow trench
had been already dug within few feet Of
the long and hideous scaffold, 30 that the
men as they drove up could look upon
their own open grave. The scanold, which
had just been completed, consisted Of .
single long beam extending from one tree
70 another, to which the ropes were at
teched, and q narrow platform Of loose
plank extending under this, 30 arranged
that the knocking out of props would
cause IL to fall. A considerable number
Of spectators were present, but not nearly
80 many as attended the execution OF An
drews-no general gathering OF the citi-
Sens being permitted-indeed the prepara-
tons had been carried on as secretly a.
possible.
Capt. Fuller, who had chased the men
on the cars and attended the trial at
Knoxville, was here also to see the end.
L1O A1AA OCCA hlONCu W COL1O W . UIOAu1DG
which he as o Mason had made to Ross,
that he would mark the spot Of his burial,
and notify his father, In Ohio. He was
faithful to his promise, though the noti6-
cation, owing to the policy of the Con-
federate war department, could not be
made until the close of the war.
Our comrades mounted the sca1old by
means OF steps from behind, and then
stood, all seven, side by side, with the
ropes dangling beside them. At the foot
Of the steps Fuller shook hands with Ross,
for whom he declares he had come TO feel
. deep friendship. The clergymen, with
their souls in indignant protest against
the manner Of death, had not accompanied
the procession. There was no help, and
in q few moments death in its most awful
form was to come.
Yet the bravery Of the seven was such
as to command the admiration even of
their foes. Capt. Fuller had attended
many military executions during the war,
for such things were fearfully frequent on
the Confederate side; yet he says that he
never saw men die as bravely As these.
With uncovered faces they looked steadily
and gerenely on the surrounding foe. But
they were not to die without = word Of
testimony that should be long remem-
bered, and which to some hearts then
present seemed the death knen OF the Con-
federacy.
Wilson was their spokesman. He asked
permission to say a word before death,
and 1t was freely accorded. Possibly the
surrounding hundreds expected to hear
some word OF pleading or confession
some solution Of what still seemed mys-
terious in the great raid. But IL SO they
were mistaken. have received an &C
count Of this address from more than G
score of persons who were present-sol
diers, citizens and negroes-and 1t made
the same impression on all. Wilson wa
= born orator, and he now spoke with
marvellous skill and persuasive eloQuence
He had conquered fear and banished al
resentment; and his calm and dispassion
ate earnestness was such as became 8
man on the threshold OF another world