St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-06-27

o'clock, just as the first rays OF the
morning sun tlnged the tips o.
the waiving pines, and ca t
gray shadows about the surroundings
of the Jail, Sheriff Mclaughlin as
cended the platform, threw quick
glance about him-at the silent depu-
ties, then at the doctors who stood
below the scatfold-and sprung the
lever. There was rattle
of timbers as the bolts flew
back, heavy plunge downward of the
black clad central figure, groaning of
the gibbet, and the majesty OF the law
had been sustained. The
Strain on the Rope
was terrific, but it stood the test.
The body of the murderer hung
inert for several seconds after the
first shock, and then began a series of
spasmodic contractions, during which
the legs were drawn up with the knees
almost touching the chin, and again
Strengthened out with a jerk. This was
repeated several times and lasted
for period of about FIVE minutes, after
which all motion ceased, and the body
hung limp and lifeless. During tine con-
tortions the black cap which shielded
the face of the murderer was
drawn awry, exposing the lower
part of the face, the mouth distorted
beyOnd the semblance of humanity, the
tongue protuding, blackened and swOl-
len. Sheriff Mclaughlin and his depu-
ties had left no detail unattended which
would insure the carrying out of
the sentence without cir
cumstance calculated to throw discredit
on the proceedings.
Three N,CIock Precisely
the sheriff, accompanied by Deputies
Manly and Mason, and followed by
Special Deputies A. Fl. Lamber, 81.
Burgess, j. w. Hunt, j. Y. Boreckenge
and w. Davis, entered the en-
closure in which the execu-
ton was to occur. No news
paper men were admitted, as such
admission was contrary to statute, and
Sheriff Mclaughlin announced his in
tention of abiding by the law to
the letter. There was an awful
silence over everything. Even nat
ure seemed hushed to an un-
wanted calm, and in the stiffness the
creaking of a bolt, or the breaking of
dead twig echoed and re-echoed on the
heated air, while within the dirty
little prison the condemned man
waited like a rat in trap, lis
tened to each sound, every one possess
ing an ominous meaning for him, and
waited for the doom which had crept SO
close upon him. There was no sign of
weakening on Brokers part. Shortly
after 10 o'clock he laid down and slept
soundly until a few minutes after l.
When he awoke he asked for
A Drink of Liquor,
which was given him, and then for a
cigar, which he smoked with apparent
pleasure, and seemed perfectly at his
ease. Louis De Dent, the condemned
mans attorney, wired at ITO p. M, as
follows:
Brooker. 1t would be an act of humanity to
tell the man that this is his last day on earth,
and that he will hang in the morning. l
come to ST. Paul on the limited.
Brooker was told the news, and re-
marked that he had anticipated 1t, reit-
Grating his previous assertions that he
intended to die game and no nonsense
about it. No time was lost In prelimin-
aries. There was desire on
the part of the sheriff and ali
concerned to get the miserable busi
ness over as quickly as possible.
Rrooker refused to the last to see
minister. II don't want any minister's"
he said: II am willing to die like
man." A few minutes after half past
three. BROKER, in charge OF Deputies
Mason and Manly,
Emerged From the Cell
and the march to the scaffold was be-
gun. The man who had but few min
utes to live was attired in suit of al
ready made clothes purchased in the
village. His bearded face was ashen pale
and the facial muscles twitched nerv
his boast and walked to his place on
the scaffold with a firm tread
Grouped below the scaffold were
Drs. Collins, Zeien, Caine and Barry.
the last two being present by invitation
of the condemned and the 9TH
ers in professional capacity. 1t
was scene at once CHASTITY
and impressive. The silent group
of doctors and deputies, awaiting the
final movement below the scaffold, on
the upper platform, the prisoner about
whose head the black shroud had al
ready been placed. On his right and
left stood deputies to support him if
need be, but their aid was not called
for. Brooke stood firm to the last mo-
ment, and died
without Gr0an.
The murderer was anxious to escape
being manacled, as is the custom, but
made no protest when told that it would
have to be done, and only trembled
slightly when the straps were adjusted.
The horrible scene was brought
to close as rapidly as possible.