Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-16

The scAFFoLD A PERMANENT PIECE OF FURNITURE
HOW IT Is coNsTRUCTED-THE WAY THE ROPE
AND MOOSE ARE PBEPARED-THE BLACK CAP
AND THE LEG AND ARM ROPES
Nelson Colbert will be hanged at the Jail to-
morrow for the murder of Philip Vented Oc-
tober last. Colbert seems to be perfectly re-
signed to his fate and to be waiting calmly for
the end. All the preparations the Jail for
the execution are comp etc.
THE GALLows
The scaffold is piece of furniture set up and
capable of being made ready for service in
few hours. The one now in the Jail court has
been used on several occasions. 1t was con-
structed at the Jail for the execution of James
Madison Stone, colored man, sentenced for
the murder Of his wife. Alberta. October. 5.
1873. to be hung December 20, 1879 The exc
cution was postponed from time TO time by
reprieves by the President, but at length took
place April following. Strictly speaking. he
was not hanged, for on the trap being sprung
the rope Of the moose cut through the soft
Tissues of the neck drawing the knot close to the
coil. and so quickly that there was scarcely a
drop OF blood upon it. The body shot through
the trap with "a fheavy thud. while the head
rolled away some distance. When picked up by
one OF the physicians the lips we're observed to
be moving Stone was quite a large WE'LL
built cOlored man. and during the whole of his
long imprisonment took but little exercise. He
grew fat and habby. and his muscles for want
of Use became exceedingly tender. The next
execution was that of Edward Queenan and
Babe Bedford, for the murder of young Hirth,
November 49, 1880: then Charles J. Guiteau,
for the assassination of President Garfield,
June so. 1882; next, Charles Shaw. for the muir
der of his sister. January 10, 1888; John
Langster. for killing Policeman Fowler. May
Is. 1885; Lewis Sommerfieli. fo- the murder Of
his wife and mother-in-law. and Richard Lee,
for wife murder. April so, 1856. and Antonio
Nardello. for the murder of Carmine Rotunno,
May -, ISS6. The gallows stands in the court
on the east side of the north wing of the Jail.
1t is built of Georgia pine. painted q drab
color and stands Il feet in height including
the cross-beam Of 6xS timer, supported by SIS
uprights.
THE FATAL STEPS.
At the height of 13 feet is the platform
reached b. stairs III - would on ordinary occa-
siOns be easy of ascent. the rise being inches
and tread nearly Il. On either side is a hand
rail joining the rail raised 81 feet above the
platform. The platform is ii feet square and
Is made of Pinch boards. and in the center is
the trap. feet squlc. The platform is sup
ported by stout SxS timbers, firmly braced with
cross pieces, and the flooring of the platform is
on heavy tlmberS framed that the trap fits
flush with the floor. The trap is attached to
the platform by pair of heavy strap hinges
When condemned man is in place on the gal
lows tnls udp Is nelu up III place Uy the ends of
C-shapcd iron. This is so arranged that the
pressure of foot will Withdraw the bolts but
ii is usually works. by means of a rope run
nlnS through "a asx to the interior of adj
joining cell, where the unseen executioner is
stationed ready to pull il when the signal is
given from the scaffOld. Attached to the trap
on the under side is rope with a weight to
prevent 1t rebounding and striking the hanging
body.
PREPARING THE ROPE.
To complete the structure it is necessary that
the rope should be attached. This is usually
of the best quality of MANILA. generally of
is-inch size. 1t undergoes some preparation
III the jail, kinks being taken out, the rope
rubbed down and the moose made When the
rope Is dressed down it is but three-fourths of
an inch thick and is pliable as cotton yarn
and yet the strands are close and compact
This work on the rope is done by one OF the
guards. who has seen considerable sea service.
and Is an authority on knots. At the end of
the rope he makes the hangman's knot the
part forming the moose being we'll creased with
tailow. which. In the experience OF those at
the jail. Is better than soaping the rope Then
the rope Is taken to the scaffold One end is
passed through the hole in the cross-beam and
over II to the upright and then down to a cleat
to which II is secured. Five feet is allowed for
the fall. There are also some other ropes
needed for pinioning. These are about the
size Of sash cord. ) or feet in length With
them the arms of the condemned are fastened
behind the back. and on arriving at the trap
his legs are tied together about the knees
and ankles. There is also necessary
BLACK CAMBRIA CAP
with slit in the back. through which the rope
passes. The rope is placed on the neck. with
the knot under the left ear, and adjusted with
the view Of sliding round TO the center of the
base of the skull \ string is arranged in the
edge of the cap so that it can be drawn up so az
to completely hide the face. II is not always
that the sudden taking off distOrts the features
but there have been occasions when the tcn9ue
has been forced out making anything but an
agreeable sight. and the cap is put on as a pre-
cantlonary measure. There is no shroud
whlte or black. used here in some places but
II Is customary for the condemned man to be
dressed In dark or black clothes
TESTED WITH SAND BAG.
When the hinges are creased and the rome
rugged a test is made with bag OF sand weigh
ing from 40 TO 30 per cent more than the con-
demned man. This dummy is placed in the
moose on the trap, and the bolts pulled
coLBERT's GOOD CONDUCT IN JAIL.
When, in January last, Nelson Green, VIM
Briggs and other prisoners at the Jail yielded
TO the exhortatiOns of Rev. Mr.. Roberts and
other religious workers and protessed religion,
Colbert stood aloof, apparently Indifferent.
ne however. hnaIly made profession of re-
nglon, and since then has spent much of his
time IN singing and prayer. His singing and
praying have recently been features in the
Sunday meetings "a: the Jail. He possesses a
nne, clear tenor voice and his PRAYERS have
been remarked for their good language and
earnestness. As prisoner he Las been one of
the best-behaved convicts ever locked in
always cheerful obedient TO rules. thankful
Tor any little privilege accorded him. All
along he has appreciated the visits of his rela-
tlves and friends, and, when not engaged in
reading and praying. enjoyed singing and con-
Versin8 with the guards and visitors.
THE DEATH WATCH
It's customary almost Immediately after the
last hope of the prisoner has disappeared to set
q death watch al the cell door, but in the case
Of Colbert his behavior has been such that !,
was not until this afternoon the death watch
was set.
The law coRtemplates that the execution shall,
be comparatively private and prescribes who
shall be invited. The warden, Gen. Croker
notwithstanding the requests. verbal and i'm
writing. of several hundred people for passes
To the jail Tomorrow. has determined to keen
as close TO the law as il possible. and therefore
the number who will witness the hanging will
be limited The number will include twelve
jurors the ministers. physicians and some
newspaper men. There are not as many press
men applying as usual. but this Is oyerbalanced
by the number Of young medical students who
desire fame. he arly all Of whom hope to ada
to their medical knowledge by witnessing the