The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-02-17
CHAPTER XXI.
HERoIsM ON THE sCAFFoLD.

hEhOlsM YIN HE oCArrOLD.
The cemetery is beautifully located and
finely kept. The scaffold hPs been built
in little wood at the southeastern side
of the yard, then outside, but since in
Guided in its boundaries. A monument
to the Confederate dead had since been
erected in this cemetery, and a large por-
ton of land decided by the cemetery asso-
citation for their burial, and it 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, 50 that the
men as they drove up could look upon
their own open grave. The scaffold, which
had just been completed, consisted of
single long beam extending from one tree
to another, to which the ropes were at
tached, and a narrow platform of loose
plank extending under this, so arranged
that the knocking out Of props would
cause IL to fall. A considerable number
of spectators were present, but not nearly
so many as attended the execution of An
drews-no general gathering of the citi-
Zens being permitted-indeed the prepare
tons had been carried on as secretly as
possible.
Capt. Fuller, who had chased the men
on the cars and attended the trial at
Knoxville, was here also to see the end.
He had been moved to come by promise
which he as a 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 Motif
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 scaffold 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
a 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 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 o..
the Confederate side; yet he says that he
never saw men die as bravely as these.
With uncovered faces they looked steadily
and serenely 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 knell of the Con-
federacy.
Wilson was their spokesman. He asked
permission to say a word before death,
and it 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 ac-
count of this address from more than a
score Of persons who were present-sol-
diers, citizens and negroes-and it made
the same impression on all. Wilson was
born orator, and he now spoke with
marvellous skill and persuasive eloquence.
He had conquered fear and banished all
resentment; and his calm and dispassion-
ate earnestness was such as became a
man on the threshold of another world.