The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-03-04
BARNES DID
NOT FLINCH.
Met Death on the GallOWS
With FirmneSS.
HE REPENTED HIS CRIME.
Killed Aged Farmer Dean at HIS
HON. Near Maynard.
HE REPENTED HIS CRIME.
HIS SPEECH ON THE SCAFFOLD.

East Cam bridge, Mass, March 4.-When
Lorenzo W. Barnes, tie condemned muir
derer OF Farmer John Deane of Maynard,
arose on this. the morning oi his execu-
ton, the gray light of cloudy morning
dimly penetrated the corridors Of the jail
Outside thick mists prevailed on all sides,
making more obscurs the light Of day.
Inside the usual quiet of early morning
prevailed. Everything was IN readiness
for the grim scenes that wers To come.
Tbs routine of jail life was carried out
until alter the condemned man had been
given his breakfast. Soon afterward,
however, there was chsbge.
Concerning the confession made by
Barnes TO him some days ago, Capt.
Fairbairn ssid: Barnes conf. ssion was
entirely voluntary. ] Kept u secret at his
request, since il was made under a pledge
that IL would not be given cut until af-
ter his death. Ibe responsibility of the
disclosure was his sisters and not mine.
The condemned man passed q very qu OF
night sleeping considerably and talking
but little with mis- guards, Officers Wsrren
Jackson and Frank A.. Shaw. It was thu
belief of those in charge that he would
not brsak down but would go to the
scaffolu firmly. Barnes arose at the usual
hour and ate his breakfast with an sppar-
ent relish, the food being served from
tie jaiiors' table. AS soon as Barnes had
finished his breakfast no was removed 10
the cell opposite the scsffold and was then
visited by Chaplain Walker, who admin
1stered religious consolation.
The careless Gemeanor that Barnes has
maintained during tho last few days Is
now explained by his confession. With his
mind thus free, he has indeed beeu,
reared TO die, +" AS stated by Chaplain
ig n w m nd
will be given out by Capt. fairbairu.
81 killed John Dean, is the most i'm
portant thing in IL. Details OF the crime
are lacking Dscause OF Barnes defective
memory.
Soon after Q O'Clock Sheriff Cushing
proceeded to Barnes cell and there read
TO him the warrant for his execution.
He was accompanied by Chaplain Walker
Barnes took the reading Of the warrant
very calmly and made no Comment
The procession from the jail III 20 TO
the east corridor where the execution took
place, started soon after $3.50 o'clock.
1t was Just 9:40 o'clock a. Barnes stapred
upon the scaffold. he bau to take but
half dozen steps from his cell and he
walked firmly and without the need Of
support. he was dressed in black
cutaway coat and vest, black trousers
and white shirt without collar or
necxtic.
AS he stepped upon the trap he looked
calmly down upon the little ASSEM- blage
below him, anu not the slightest ner-
vousness was perceptible eithar in his
face or in tho carriage Of his body.
In a clear voice, and yet one which
trembled slightly from the feelings of
the hour, Chaplain Walter offered PRAYER.
The deputies then stepped forward ana
adjusted the straps around Barnes knees
and ankles. Barnes leaned slightly for
ward and watched the process.
As the deputies rose from their work
and stood on either side of Barnes, now
partially supporting him, Sheriff Cush-
ing said:
"Barnes, il you have anything you
wish TO say you eau say IL now.'
Earnes said: Il thank the people Of
this jail for what they have done for me.
Everything / Rave asked for Rave got.
! thank them, heart and soul, for what
they have done for me. | die rerentant."
Captain Fairbairn thsn stepped for
ward with the black cap aud adjusted it
over Barnes head. lt was Just 9:i5
o'clock as Captain Fairbairn slip; ed the
moose over Barnes head. adjusted the
knot carefully under his left ear ard
pulled the moose tight. With the deputies
he stepped back from the trap leaving
the black capped and motionless figure OF
the condemned man unsupported.
The drop fell at'9:46 and at 10 O'Clock
Barnes was pronounced dead by the ply
sicians in attendance. Although the
moose clipped to the front instead of the
back Of the ear, Barnes neck was br3ken
by the fall and death resulted within two
or three minutes
1he crime for which Barnes suffered
tne death penalty was the murder of
John Dean an aged farmer, in his home
near the village of Maynard, Mass.