Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-10-08
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death Seemed to have no effect abSn

81
death seemed to have no effect 4pNn
the condemned man. In talking to his
guards he declared his innocence but
would not speak further on the matter.
The work of preparing the gallows,
which was carried on within few feet
of Williams cell and the noise of which
could be plainly heard by the prisoner.
was completed. yesterday AS there
has never been an execution in the Jail
it was not found until the experiment
was tried, that the ceiling of the guard
room in the south end in which the
scaffold stood. was not1high enough to
admit of the usual uprights. There
fore a hole was cut in the floor OF the
chapel which is above the guard room,
over which a number Of timbers We're
laid, securely bolted and one end of the
rope attached to the support thus pro-
vided.
Sheriff johnson had extended but few
invitations to attend the execution, not
more than 40 persons having been ask
ed to witness the affair." These includ-
ed the warden and deputy warden Of
the state prison, II citizens as legal
witnesses and physicians, deputy sher-
lift and representatives Of the local.
SOuAly anu BOSTON press.
These persons assembled at the Jail
soon after $50 o'clock and at the in
vitation of the sheriff proceeded to the
guard room shortly afterwards. Mean
while Sheriff Johnson had conference
with Williams who expressed himself
as grateful for what the officers Of the
county had done for him.
The sheriff had with him black suit
of clothes which he asked williams to
put on.
The execution was scheduled to take
place at 10 o'clock. A strong guard Of
police were on the outside of the jail
keeping the sidewalks clear no one be-
ing allowed either in the Jail yard or
on the sidewalks outside.
At 10 o'clock Williams, whose arms
and hands had been pinioned, left the
cell accompanied by Sheriff Samuel A.
Johnson, Rev. c. H. Puffer, the jail
chaplain and Williams spiritual advis-
er, and Deputy Sheriffs Arthur Bishop
and Timothy D. Crowley. who had
charge of him during his trial. The
distance from the cell to the scaffold
was only about 40 feet and but a few
seconds elapsed from Williams leaving
his cell to the termination of the event.
On reaching the scaffold Williams was
placed upon the trap and his knees
were bound, during which proceeding
prayer was offered by the chaplain.
The black cap was then drawn over
Williams face and adjusted.
At this point, Sheriff johnson said
that pursuant to warrant issued to
him by the superior court he would ex-
ecute the sentence Of the court. He
then touched the spring at 1O.O1.5O.
Williams dropped six feet one inch and
was within 80 inches of the floor. His
neck was broken by the fall The mus
cular contraction of the limbs was
visible for several seconds.
During the preparation for the final
scenes in the execution the prisoner
was pale but seemed unconcerned and
did not speak word. No one was al
lowed to leave the room until the doc
tor had pronounced life extinct and
preparations were made for cutting
down the body and turning It over to
friends.
Chaplain Puffer said that up to few
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