Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-12-06

Fairfax Seminary. The provost mar
shall, mounted and wearing q crimson
scarf across his breast, led the mourn
full cortege. He was Immediately fol-
lowed by the buglers Of the regiment,
four abreast, dismounted. Then came
the twelve men-one from each COM
pany in the regiment, selected by bal
lot who constituted the firing party.
The arms, Sharps' breech-loading
rifle, had been previously loaded under
the direction of the marshal. One
was loaded with blank cartridge, ac-
cording to the usual custom, so that
neither of the men could positively
state that the shot from his rifle killed
the unfortunate man. The coffin,
which was of pine wood stained, and
without any inscription, came next, in
one-horse wagon. Immediately be-
hind followed the doomed man, in an
open wagon. About five feet six
inches in height, with light hair and
whiskers, his eyebrows joining each
other, Johnson indeed presented q
most forlorn appearance. He was
dressed in cavalry uniform, with the
regulation overcoat and black gloves.
He was supported by Father Nc Afee,
who was in constant conversation with
him, while Father Willett rode behind
on horseback. The rear was brought
ND by Co. G of the Lincoln Cavalry,
forming the escort.
Arriving on the ground at half past
3 o'clock, the musicians and the escort
took position little to the left,
while the criminal descended from the
wagon. The coffin was placed on the
ground, and he took his position be-
side it. The firing party was marched
up to within six PAGES Of the prisoner,
who stood between the clergYmen.
The final order Of execution was then
read to the condemned,
While the order was being read,
Johnson stood with his hat on, his
head a little inclined to the left, and
his eyes fixed in a steady gaze on the
ground. Near the close of the read
ing, one of his spiritual advisers whls-
pered something in his ear. Johnson
had expressed q desire to say few
final words before he should leave this
world to appear before his Maker. He
was conducted close to the firing par
ty. and in almost an inaudible voice,
spoke as follows:
"Boys--I ask forgiveness from Al
mighty God and from my fellow men
for what / have hone. l did not know
what [ was doing. May God forgive
me and may the Almighty keep all OF
you from all such SIM"
He was then placed beside the coffin
again. The troops were witnessing
the whole of these proceedings with
the most intense interest Then the
marshals and the chaplains began tc
prepare the culprit for his death. He
was too weak to stand. He sat down
on the foot of the coffin. Captain
Bopd then bandaged his eyes
with white handkerchief. A few
minutes of painful suspense inter
vened while the Catholic clergymel
were having their final interview with
the unfortunate man. All being ready
the marshal waved his handkerchief a
the signal. and the firing party dis
charged the volley. Johnson did no
move, remaining in q sitting postum
for several seconds after the rifle
were discharged. Then he quivere'
a little, and fell over beside his coffin
He was still alive, however, and tn
four reserves were called to complet
the work. It was found that two o
the firing party, Germans, had no
discharged their pieces, and they wer
Immediately put in irons. Johnso
was shot several times in the heart b
the first volley. Each of the fou
shots fired by the reserves took effec