St. Paul daily globe., 1891-10-17
When the Lever Is Pulled the
Rotten Piece Of Rope Is
Snapped Asunder.
The Dying Man Is Again At
tached to the Cord and
Finally Dies.
Rose Met His Fate Bravely,
Protesting His Innocence
to the Last.
Epecial to the Globe.

Lpecial to the Globe.
REDWOOD FALLS, Oct. 1G.-The eX-
tremely tragic ending of the life of Will
lam Rose, strangled to death in a
bungling manner in a building no bet
ter than a shambles at O'Clock this
morning, is generally looked upon in
Southwest Minnesota as deliberate
judicial murder. 1t was horrible af-
fair throughout, the execution. An i'm
perfectly tested rope broke, dropping
the man, unconscious, to the floor. He
was carried back to the scaffOld, another
rope adjusted about the neck, and then
occurred scene of chilling horror, of
which the history of executions offers
no parallel. Rose lay, full length, upon
his back, his limbs pinioned, his face
hidden by silk cap of black. His legs
twitched cOnvulsively, and the barred
neck showed tremor as if breath
were making a mighty effort to force
itself through the cruelty closed pas
sages. No attempt was made to raise
the body. The sheriff for a second time
pulled the lever, and the body of the
man slowly Strengthened ont at the end
of the rope, almost without jar, as the
trap fell. 1t was as if a beast had been
knocked in the head and slowly drawn
up for the knife. 1t was repuisively
shocking. 1t was as cruel an exhibition
as was ever offered upon the scaffold.
Az Brave to the Last. s--ez
And. to add to the strain upon every
spectator not of completely calloused
heart, Rose met his fate not only
brayely. but earnestly protesting his
innocence to the last. and charging the
crime for which he gave his life to an
other. He spoke manfully; not tre-
NOR in his voice; his eyes looking
squarely into those of the spectators
below. He knew that death encom-
passed him, and he said ''good-by'' in
tones never to be forgotten. Then, as
said. in tones of unutterable regret, as
he glanced up at the hempen strands:
81 This looks pretty tough"
The black cap came down, and the
tragedy was carried out in the midst of
grotesque surroundings. The frame
building enclosing the scaffold was
lighted with kerosene lamps, long
wicked, and making everything look a
siclly yellow. In front Of the scatfold
was line of men, presumably favOrites
of the sheriff, and armed, for excuse,
with old muskets reSurrected from some
vault. Other favorites of the sheriff
were present, among them one being
pointed out as H. G. Hayes, editor of
the Sleepy Eye Herald. OF course this
wasn't in violation Of the law. as it was
Interpreted in Redwood. And that the
majesty of justice might not be further
violated, there was placed Gordon of
burleSQue comedians all about the Jail.
These men, mostly old residents of Red
wood were likewise armed with mus
kets having bayOnets about yard long.
1t seemed the duty of these old-timers,
armed with their brief authority. to
keep legitimate newspaper men and
strangers away, while those who were
known were let past the line to put
eager eyes to the many knot holes and
cracks in the shambles. where they had
an excellent view of the mismanaged
hanging. John Whittet was the chief of
tLiS battalion of
Farce-COmedy Artists.
and to newspaper men proved the mos+s
obnoxious. A number OF drunken men
were allowed to cOngregate on the west
side of the structure, and a big free
fight was only prevented by the appear
ance of Rose upon the scaffold. AS 1t
was, he must have plainly heard the
profane wrangling as he mounted the
twenty-five rdde steps leading him to
death.
He stepped briskly up, unaided by
touch of any hand. He had slept nearly
four hours. and was called at 3:30 a.
NJ. of as beautiful a fall morning as is
ever known. The sky was clear of
every trace of cloud. The full moon
had swung down toward the western
horizon to throw long shadows of every
thing out Of doors, while the light was
almost that of day. Rose, as soon as
up and dressed, asked for breakfast. 1t
was slow in coming, and second time
he asked. There was still delay, and
the man upon whose face the shadow of
death rested received with grateful
smile the young Scotch divine, Rev.
John SinclOir, who was present only on
account of Roses earnest request.
"Ihis is the happiest night" said
Rose, THAT l ever passed in my life.
There was only one thing to mar my
appiness-thOught of my mother. If
only knew, if | could realize that my
mother was reconciled. would die the
nappiest man. upon earth"
For the first time during three long
years of confinement the strong man
broke down, and tears coursed over his
cheeks as he spoke SO tenderly and low
lngly of his aged mother. Then he re-
covered his composure, paced rest
lessly up and down once or twice. and
sat down to his breakfast, eating heart
lily. Mr.. Sinclair then read from the
Scriptures and prayed with the con-
demned man,
''Now the end is very near, Rose,n
said the clergyman, after time, "and
want you TO tell me in whom and what
you trust"
In most decided and measured terms
Rose said:
Il trust only in Him who died for
me-"
Then he lighted a cigar and puffed
vigorously for some five minutes. Then
he called to the sheriff outside:
Says He rs Ready.
"You can come in when you like.
Am ready"
Mr.. Sinclair asked if there was no last
request, no message.
gravely and courteously, sis that you
follow my corpse to the grave"
The sheriff entered and produced the
it need not be read unless necessary.
law, he listened attentively to the read
outside wished to see HIM.
Il would like to see them ALL" he
said, and three New UIm gentlemen
were admitted. He shook hands with
each, heartily. and told them that he
died an innocent man. Then, without
waiting for the word, he crossed his