The Butler weekly times., 1896-05-07

around the scatfold. Deputy Shei'
ton adjusted the straps and Sheriff
Allen placed the moose around Tay-
lor's neck. Taylor died in about
ten minutes. His body was imme
diately cut down and put in coffin
that stood beside the scaffold.
AS soon as the doors OF the stock
ade were opened the thousands OF
people outside made a rush to look
at the scaffold, and chip pieces off it
for relics.
Taylor's pulse beats during the
last minute life remained were 80.
The first minute they were So, the
next 100. Then the pulse ran down
to "a, and the next minute to 90.
Beyond this no record was kept.
Sheriff Stanley began to read the
death warrant at 10:45 o'clock. He
read it slowly and distinctly. Every
word struck the hearts of his listen
ers like trip hammer, except Tay-
lor. He was unmoved He did not
raise his eyes from the floor. When
Sheriff Stanley read:
"And there and then between the
hours of 6 a. IN. and 5 p. m. hang
you by the neck until you are dead, "
the tears of the women cOursed
down their faces.
The death warrant finished, Sher-
if Stanley read the decision of the
supreme court of Missouri affirming
the decision of the trial court.
He folded the papers and placed
them in his pocket. Sheriff Allen
entered Taylor's cell and bound his
hands and wrists. Taylor did not
speak. He grew a shade paler, but
stood up firm and erect. His hands
bound, the march to the scaffold be-
gan. Deputies Shelton and Cum
mings walked side by side, then
came Taylor, with Sheriff Allen on
the right and Sheriff Stanley on the
left.
A thin black strap wound around
Taylor's body was held by the sheriff
to steady him in case he should fall
ter. Taylor's hands pressed a black
cross to his breast. He walked with
his eyes steadfastly looking ahead.
Deputy Marshal Ross and Sheriff
Adriano followed Taylor Then came
the priest repeating the Catholic
rite, and about twenty women, walk
ing two abreast, who uttered in uni
Sun and repeatedly: Lord have
mercy"
Less than one minute was taken
up in the march. Taylor climbed up
the scaffola steps with firm feet.
The moose was already in place
when Taylor walked upon the trap.
Deputy Shelton fastened the leg
straps Sheriff Allen put on the
moose. Sheriff Andriano removed
the cross from Taylor's hands. Dep
uty Cummings put on the black cap.
It's sombre folds fell like a curtain
across Taylor's vision, and Sheriff
Stanley sprung the trap. 1t was ex-
actIy 1857 o'clock. At 11:30 o'clock
the order was given to take up the
coffin. Six deputy sheriffs were the
pallbearers, and outside of the fence
a squad of militia fell in line to the
call of "Shoulder arms" An advance
guard cleared the way from the
wires, and detachment followed.
The casket of enameled steel was
tightly sealed before being taken
from the Jail yard.
The crowd, disappointed in not
having seen the hanging, was waiting
to catch a glimpse of the body. As
the casket was borne toward Nc.
Queen Bros. & Taylor's undertaking
establishment, men. women and
children surged under the wires, no
longer protected by the militiamen,
and gazed at the grim looking box.
Their morbid curiosity was once
more unsatisied.
TAYLOR's LAST HOURS.
At 4:45 this morning Taylor awoke
in his cell, yawned and arose. He
asked the hour, and after walking
up and down the corridor several
times, he bathed his face and hands
"Hew did you pass the night?" he
was asked.
"Very well, under the circum.
stances
Were you disturbed by the nolse!'
NO
Did you have any dreams?"
II did not"
There is nothing on your mind
that is oppressive!"
NO"
Taylor sat down and wrote thi.
message on piece of paper which
be said was for all the newspaper
reporters
Il am now guarded by one of th,
| Linn county mobbers, Henry vii