Evening star., 1896-06-26

Ford was engaged in a service of prayer
and song when, at precisely 30, Warden
Leonard stepped up to his cell to tell him
that the scaffold was ready to receive him.
While the warden read to him the death
warrant Guard Waters quickly pinioned
his arms at the wrists and elbows. The
murderer listened attentively to the read
ing Of the warrant Of execution, submit
ting quietly to the ropes placed about him.
He remarked, "All is well; I'm trusting in
Waters and Woodward, Warden Leonard
preceding them he took up the march to
the scaftold, which stood in readiness in
the northeast corridor of the prison, where
1t has stood for fifteen years.
The March to the ScahoId.
Some twenty or more policemen, under
Lieuts. Kelly and McCathran, formed
lane through which the party slowly
marched, the Revs. John Roberts, w. J.
Howard and John C. Gutridge following
Immediately behind the murderer The
jury, composed of newspaper reporters, had
seated themselves to the side and front of
the scaffold, and the police formed a line
in front Of the scaffold. keeping the crowd
back The moment the party left Ford's
hymn BLESSED Assurance Jesus is Mine
the prisoners in the Jail swelling the cho-
rus. Fords face was fast assuming an
ashen paleness. and his lips moved In
prayer.
Plunged Into Eternity.
He was quickly assisted up the long
steps Of the scaffold and placed in the
center Of the drop. The minister con-
tinued the singing Of the hymn Ford hus-
kily attempting once or twice to join in
while the guards strapped his ankles and
knees toge ther. Then the moose was ad-
justed, the black cap pulled down over his
face and tied, and then, as he tottered
and trembled between the helping arms
OF the two guards who stood beside him,
just clear of the drop, the singing ceased
God to forgive His servant, who was
ABOUT to appear before Him.
Hardly bad the word Amen" left tho
minister's lips when Warden Leonard
flashed his handkerchief. AS he did SO.
and as the mrrderer's knees were trem-
bAng beneath MIN and as his gigantic
frame was .swaying backward and for
ward, the concealed executioner in the
curtained cell just beside the scaffoId
pulled the bolt supporting the trap, and
Ford plunged downward into eternity.
The End Painless.
Straight down six feet or more the mur-
derer shot, and as he reached the end of
the rope he was jerked slightly upward.
Then for rSoment the body hung per
fectly motionless, slowly revolving as the
rope slightly entwined. But not even were
the usual slight muscular ccrtractions an
customary. noticed at any time, the body
hanging perfectly still until lowered n
foot or two few moments Gfter it fell to
allow the Jail physician and others to ex-
anime the pulse and heart. The man con-
tinued to live for perhaps fifteen minutes
later, although the physicians were unanI-
nous In the opinion that death was pain
less, the murderer being instantly rendered
unconscious through shock
Died From Shock and Stransulation.
The body was allowed to hang until 1901
when the man was pronounced to be dead
and the body was cut down and placed in
black cloth-covered coffin. Those present
were permitted to view the remains, after
the physicians had decided that the neck
was not broken and that death resulted
from shock and strangulation. The body
arrayed In neat black suit, white shirt
and black tie, was delivered at once 10
Undertaken Winsiow. He carried it to his
shop. r street between 18th and 18th, from
which the funeral will take place at noon
tomorrow. Mr.. Roberts will conduct the
services, and the interment will be made
at PayHes cemetery.
His Last Night on Earth.
Ford's last night on earth was spent
quietly, and, when he was not sleeping he
was his knees, beside his narrow cot.
praying. Yesterday afternoon ne bade his
wife and child farewell, beseeching his wife
to pray for him, and to bring up their child
III God-fearing and God-serving way.
The interview was most affecting one,
and the prison officials deeply sympathize
with the woman who has so faithfully
stood by her husband in his suffering For.
In the opinion Of the officers of the jail no
condemned man ever suffered SO much
Continued on Eleventh Page)