The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-02-17
DARING and SUFFERING.

When this cruel clause was first in
serted, 1t was probably thought that all
the band would be convicted in the same
manner, and then In one terrible hour all
would he swept away with no opportu-
nifty to leave any word behind! The re-
fusal TO send harmless message to
friends-a privilege that would not be de-
MED TO the most infamous criminal
agrees with this view.
1t was the manner of death rather than
death itself which seemed so horrible to
our comrades as they took their last leave
Of us. Most of them were also without
any clear hope beyond the grave. A day,
even, to have sought divine favor would
have been priceless boon. Wilson was
professed unbeliever, and many time
had argued the truth of the Christian re-
ligion with me half n day at time; but
he said, "Pittinger, 1 believe you are
right nowl try to be better prepared when
you come to die than l am" 1 could
scarcely release his hand as he muttered,
s'God bless YOU" and turned away.
Shadrack was careless, generous and
merry, though often eXcitable, and some
times profane. Now he turned to us with
| forced calmness of voice which was
more affecting than wall Of agony as
| he said:
"Boys, I'm not prepared to meet my
Jesus"
When asked by some of us, whose tears
were flowing fast. To think OF heavenly
mercy, he answered, still in tones Of
| thrilling calmness, "I'll try, I'll try, but
| know I'm not prepared"
| SlavenS, who was a man Of immense
strength and iron resolution, turned to
his friend Bufrum and could only articu-
late, "Wife-children-t utter
ance failed.
John Scott was well educated, and had
left a very pleasant home in Findlay, o.
Father and mother, brothers and sisters
have always been among the most re-
spected of the citizens there. He had
been married but three days before enlist
ing, and now the thought of his young
and Borrowing wife nearly drove him to
despair. He could only clasp his hands
| in silent agony.
Campbell had half smile on his strong
face, but it was terribly unreal, with no
light in it, as he pressed our hands, and
even muttered an unconscious oath, say
ing, Eyes, boys, this is - hard"
But Ross was marvel and wonder to
US all. a cloud had long seemed to rest
upon his spirits, but now completely rolled
away. All foreboding and fear We're gone
in the presence of the reality. Others
were bitterly and terribly disappointed
he was not. The gaunt specter he had sc
long faced came out of the shadow, and
To- il was diSrobed of all terror! He was
perfectly eject, with easy grace; there was
not sign of dread, while his eye beamed
and whole face became radiant with the
martyrs joy. Tell them at home" he
said, in clear, vibrating tone. IF any OF
you escape, that l died for my country
and did not regret it,"
Brown, Knight, Buffum, Mason and
myself-all that were left of the Knox.
willie party-were even more affected than
our comrades, for we had not the awful
excitement of cOming'tieath to sustain us
Had there been a CLEAN of hope of success
now gladly would we have thrown our.
selves on the guards and fought for the
lives of our brothers, But the officers and
the guard filled the door and entry, while
the jail yard was also full of enemies.
The sense of our absolute helplessness was
most agOnZing.
All This transpired in a very few min
utes, and even the marshal and others
with him in the door showed signs of i'm,
patience. and urged that their time was
short. cannot help believing, for the
sake of our common humanity that they
wished to hasten only because the scene
was becoming too painful for them to
bear.
Very brief leave taking was permitted
with the eight who We're in the other
room. Robinson, who could scarcely
stand, was hurried off with the rest We
heard the dreadful procession descend the
stairs, and then from the window saw
them enter the death cart and drive away.
1t WAS surrounded by cavalry, and thus
passed out Of sight. In about an hour the
procession returned. The cart was empty
On leaving us the procession had taken
a course which soon carried them out OF
sight over the summit of an adjoining
hill, and continued in an easterly direc,
ton till it reached the Atlanta city GENE
tery-a distance of probably two miles.
What thoughts crowded through the
hearts Of the doomed men we know not;
but ii is TO be hoped that in this last hour
Of life they realized that God was more
merciful than man, and found that pardon
; which is never den.ed to those who sin
cere seek.