Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-05-18

looking into the officers face, said twice in
an almost inaudibe tone, 'may speak ?'
The sheriff shook his head and ad iusted the
rope about Almy's mock. Even then the
latter appeared TO want to speak but the
black cap was hastily placed over his face
and he said nothing. The sheriff placed the
hangmanB kuot under the lett ear, then
stepped to the contre Of the scnttold, and at
1916 touched the spring. The drop fell
heavily aud Aimys body went through.
To the horror Of ths spectators his feet
struck the floor and HE knees bent. The
rope was evidently to long, as it did not
stretch ary.
As Bis Feet Touched the Floor
his body swayed to the right and slightly
forward. Inside OF a minute the officers on
the scaflold swung the rope and pulled the
body up several feet. Another shuider
ran through the witnesses when they saw
the position Of the rope and knot. The
former was. pulled over tue left ear, while the
knot was fully one foot above the neck.
But one or two trcmors or twitchng mo-
tions could he seen and there was entire alb
sence of struggling. Life was pronounced
extinct at 1880 aud tho body was taken
down.
The witnesses left the prison and the gal
lows was taken apart and put away bsforo
the dinner hour, 30 a9 noo 10 be seen by tho
other prisoners 10 arrangements have
been made for tho funeral. II is stated that
the body will be buried in the prison yard.
Death was Iustantancout
CONCORD, n. H., May 1G.--At a post
norton examination OF Almy's body, 30
minutes after death, it was found that death
came instantly with the drop by reason OF
the dislocatioa and fracture of the spine.
Almy left no written statement. The ring
he wore viii be buried with him.
Perfect Execution, Says the Sheriff.
CONCORD, N. H., May l6.-Shcrfr Hurl-
burt said this afternoon: Il am perfectly
| satisfied with tho execution. 1t went off in
good shape, ana | car sec how it could
have been better. Everyone who saw it
seems to agree vita me, aud | have Satisfied
myself that the neck was broken directly
the drop was sprung.
Death was Instantaneous and painless. |
fad on tde left OF the head the Jaw bona
was literally splintorei and not brok N only
| short or, but tho neck was wrenched an
inch and a half out OF its normal position.
This conyiBces me that we could not have
executed tue law more hunsaoly or eifectu-
ally. We could not haze done any better,
and l am satisfied that it was perfect cS
ecution.
1t is true that the moose slipped at the
critical moment, buJ ] am sure that it did
no harm. | do not understand how it hap
pened We had the best style OF moose that
was ever used, and ona that has been tried
a great many times il Vermont. | tied the
moose myself under the directions OF ex-
Sheriff Lowell of Springfield, Vt, an old an
experienced man, and there is probably no
one in New England who understands
The Methods OF icN acutiug Criminals
better than he. lie has made a study of
the particulars aad aiso the detailed ad just
msnt OF rope and gnllo"s.
Sheriff Lowell came down he:e on pur-
20 10 witness the execution of hlmy aud
-iV2 mo the benefit Of his knowledge. Isay
all this 10 show that took all tn, proceu-
uns and also the best advice obtainable and
lett nothing undone that would ensure a
successful han sinG."
br. Mary Walker Wants the Body
CONCORD, n. H., May 1G.-Dr. Mary
Walker arrived in town this afternoon for
the purpose, she says, OF claiming Almy' s
body and OF having an interview with the
governor. She characterizes the hanging of
Almy and tho refusal of the sheriff to al 10 w
Rim to speak on the Gallows as outraC
The only written request made by Amy
was TO the warden OF the prison, that his
body be buried in some Concord cemetery.
He wrote 1t yesterday snI the chaplain de