The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1891-10-22
GOODBYE TO ROSE.


..aialuuil-
GOODBYE TO ROSE.
Redwood county has suffered a sur
,, felt of notoriety the past week, and if
the Gazette considered only those OF
its readers who see the daily papers,
little reference would be made in these
columns to the hanging of William
Rose. But for others who will look in
this weeks paper for some account OF
that occurrence, it will be proper to
say that the condemned man arrived
here last Thursday morning, and from
that time to the instant of his death
showed a degree of courage worthy of
better fate. He was not only cheer
full and courteous to all, but in his in
terviews with Rev. John Sinclair, who
came at his request, made expressions
that are hard to reconcile with his
previous history and antecedents,asi
from the array of evidence which fixed
the crime of murder upon him. In a
letter which has been published, Mr..
Sinclair makes the following state
ments in regard to Rose:
From my first contact with him he
declared firmly his innocence, and held
to the very last. He often said God,
who knows the heart, knows that I am
innocent and he will stand by me when
I die. Several times we had talks about
the meaning of Christ's work. He un-
derstood fully it's full meaning and
professed without doubling his saving
interests in Christ's future redemption
of the soul. Almost the last word he
said to me was to give me this assur-
ance of his hope in Christ.
During the day Rose conversed with
his guards and New Ulm acquaintance
es in his usual easy way. In the af-
ternoon, accompanied by his guards,
he went to J. Melges' barber shop,
was shaved and made ready for sitting
for his picture at Andersen's gallery,
where he sat for two different mega
tives, both of which the artist pro-
nounced excellent. "Well, a poor sub
ject makes a good picture" was the
comment of the condemned man, and
after directing the sending of dozen
pictures to bis father, with the bill,
Rose resumed his handouts and was
taken back to the Jail. In the evening
Rev. Sinclair had another interview
with Rose, by appointment. 1t is re-
ported that Rose slept at intervals
through the night, and was awakened
at 4 o'clock the morning following.
That he showed no trepidation or ner-
vousness, but was perhaps the least
concerned of any of the company
awaiting the execution. On the fatal
platform he made a short speech, say
ing that number of those before him
would live to see the day when he
would be declared innocent, and that
he believed he knew the man that
killed Lufkin, naming E. E. Slower
He then thanked those present for the
kindness he had received and babe
them goodbye, afterwards turning to
the sheriff and saying, SHERIFF, do
your duty" During the preparations
he remarked, ''This is tough" and just
before the cap was adjusted, again said
goodbye, and was soon after launched
into eternity.
The accident which followed-the
breaking of the rope-has been great
ly magnified as to its effects on the
criminal. Those who have the best
means of knowing, including the cor.
oner, who made hasty examination
are of opinion that Rose was to all in,
tents dead and insensible to pain after
the first fall, and that the accident did
not add a pang to his suffering, al
though it must be admitted that it
was extremely unfortunate.
The body was taken in charge by
Mr.. Wardell, the Tracy undertaken
and in accordance with a previous re
quest of Rose, was accompanied bach
to his parents by Rev. Sinclair.
AT TRACY,
The train bearing Roses remains
was surrounded by about 200 people
attracted through curiosity. When
the mother of the murdered man
appeared, no one in the crowd offered
her any assistance or sympathy except
q farmer named Montgomery, who is
we believe, a relative of the Roses
Mrs. Rose was evidently in great dis
tress. Rev. j. Sinclair, who had gone
from here at the request of Rose on
the train bearing the coffin, gave Mrs
Rose bis arm and led her to buggy
which awaited her, in which Mont.
gomery and the minister also seated
themselves for their drive to the Rose
farm, a hired man going before with g
wagon containing the coffin. Upon
their arrival at the farm, the coffin was
taken into the house where the family
wished to see the face of the dead man
which was still and peaceful as if il
sleep. One of the sisters tainted wher
she saw the face of the corpse, and al
were greatly affected. Rev. Sinclair
was requested to remain for the fun
eral next day,but could notion account
of engagements here. The funeral OF
Sunday was conducted by Rev. Ter
williger, of the Methodist church, form
erly stationed at Tracy, who in his ser
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