Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-17

walked up the steps to the scaffold- His tread
was firm and neither his voice nor his move
ments betrayed fear or nervousness.
When the procession had passed out of the
rotunda and down into the court the crowd of
spectators made a rush for the door and down
the steps. They we're held back at a distance
of twenty yards or more from the scaffold by a
line of police.
On the Scafold.
Colbert did not finish singing Il am going
home" until he stood on the fatal trap and turn
ed so as to face the crowd of spectators. At
his left hand stood Rev. Mr.. Wells. his pastor
On the right were Rev. Messrs. Roberts and
Fitzhugh, while three of the Jail guards stood
at the rear, ready for their grim WORK.
The moose dangled from the cross beam and
touched the. floor at Colbert's feet. 1t was
l2:45 o'clock when the party had taken their
places on thr scaffold-
When Colberts voice died away there was a
moment of silence. Then Rev. Mr.. Wells
started another HYMN
Saviour, more than life TO me.
am clnging. clinging close to thee,
Let thy precious blood applied
Keep me ever, ever near thy side"
Colbert took up the song in a clear voice.
While he was singing Warden Croker assembled
the scaffold, gave a moments inspection TO the
appliances and his final instructions to the
guards and then descended. Then as
Colbert sung in loud. firm voice a strange re-
h.
the prisoners in the distant cells. and II was
echoed back and forth through the grated
corridors. As he sang one of the guards
stepped forward and deftly pinioned his legs
at the knees and ankles.
THE FINAL PRAYER
When the singing ceased Rev. Mr..
Wells offered a prayer. The prisoner,
during the prayer, kept his eyes
raised most Of the time. but occasionally
closed them and his eye-lids trembled. His
hands, folded behind him, twitched sew
prayer by reciting the Lords Prayer,
and Colbert repeated the words
after him. looking as he did so steadily upward
toward the ceiling. His voice as he said
the words of the prayer was husky,
When the prayer ended Rev. Mr.. Wells, turn
ing to Colbert, said with deep emotion.
Now may the spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ
comfort you in the dark valley and shadow of
death. Good bye"
AS he spoke the last words he flung his arm
about Colberts neck and kissed him on the
cheek.
CoLBERT's ADDRESS.
A guard then began adjusting the moose, but
Colbert raised his voice to speak 1t was clear,
firm. and penetrating.
Brothers and friends" he said, II will now
bid you all farewell and beg you, as one who
loves you, give your hearts to Christ, that you
may meet me on the banks of freedom,
where Gods angels dwell, for now in few
minutes | shall be in glory"
While he was saying the last words guard
was putting the black cap over Colbert's head.
Just before it concealed his face he shouted
"Good-byer GOODBYE" The cap was
quickly adjusted and frightened around his
neck, and in another instant there was
a. loud cT fes;.;, as the trap. sprung
down and Colbert's body was dangling at the
end of the rope beneath the platform.
EXAMINATION OF THE BODY.
The body hung still a moment, then there
were a few convulsive movements of the
shoulders and lower limbs, which gave it a
swaying motion.
The physicians, Drs Mcwilliams Beatty. and
Goldrell, then stepped forwa.d under the scat
fold and began their examination. 1t was
12:53l5 o'clock when the drop fell.
At the end Of one minute the pulse at the
wrist was 81 At the end of the second min
ute, Ga; of the third 48, and at the end of
fOur-and-a-half minutes there was no pulse
perceptible at all.
After the body had been hanging ten minutes
the heart was beating at the rate of lbs a min
ute. Two minutes later the record was IS
beats.
THE BODY LOWERED.
Seventeen minutes after the drop fell the
heart ceased beating, the physicians pro-
nounced the man dead, and the body was low
cred ready ito be placed in the
coffin waiting for it under the scaffold
1t was remarked that his features were per-
fectly placid and there was no discoloration.
The physicians found that there was a clear
disocation of the neck. The rope Of the
moose cut into the flesh of the neck.
The physicians and other officials said il was
one of the most complete executions which has
ever taken place in this country, there being
no balk whatever.
After the body was lowered the crowd was
allowed to pass and view the remains.
wENTzELL's RELATIVES PRESENT.
Among those who witnessed tie execution
were several members of the family of Went
zell, who wa, murdered by Colbert.
His brother Adam wentzell; his three sons,
George, Henry. and William, and ais brother
in-law, Mr.. Weaver, were present. The three
sons are strapping tall men. They appear
to take much interest in all the proceeding A
crowd of ~ympathizing friends surrounded
them most u the time.
I" BE BURIED SUNDAY.
About two hours after the hanging the body
was removed from the Jail and taken to Mon
tello.
The funeral services will be conducted in the
Colored Methodist church there Sunday at 2
o'clock, by Rev. Mr.. Wells.
COlbert's Story Of His Life.
To a STAR reporter, who conversed with Col
bert before the hanging, Colbert said: "Well. it
cannot be helped, and il will soon be all over
] have fully prepared myself and feel assured
that viii soon be better off. OF course know
that we all have TO die some time. few wears
or days will make but little difference. As for
myself feel that can cheerfully go, but
feel sometimes regret at leaving my parents"
The reporter expressed desire to learn
l. 81 L.
said that from what he had learned he was born
county, Md. Before he came here with his
streets northeast, in 1873 when lie was about
seven years old, he lived in Prince George
county. His mother was before the war a slave
to John Mitchell, in Prince George county,
and his parents, though poor, Woodworking
people. tried to raise him to be a good boy and
man. They lived about a year on l4th and b
streets. and then moved to Montello, where he
attended school. Il attended the Sunday
school of the Methodist Protestant church
there" he said, land sometimes taught in the
school. experienced religion and Joined the
church, but gradually fell away. MY father
worked for DR.. Loomis. at Montello, and SO did
l for time. was raised to work hard, hard
work. sometimes drank, and my trouble all
comes from drink. This was the first time 1
ever was SO intoxicated in my life. would
urge all to shun bad company, keep away from
liquor. turn to the Savior, and live honest,
good lives. l have urged this advice on my
brother, and hope all will take ii"
The reporter having remarked that he had
heard that Colhe rf had Tod sa<Ri