Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1899-03-31
From fridays Daily.

JEiOIn ilUdy . Oally.
J. w. Cole, the negro who shot and
killed S%ophronia Ford on the twelfth
of December last, this morning ex-
plated his crime on the gallows. The
execution was in every way success-
ful-probably none was ever more SO.
There was not q hitch of any kind,
and the neck of the condemned man
was broken by the fall, SO that death
was instantaneous. In ten minutes
from the time Cole left the room in
which he had passed the night his life
less body was lowered from the gal
lows and placed in it's coffin for burial.
He could have suffered no pain, and
was probably conscious after
the drop fell.
Cole was brave to the last. At no
time after he started for the gallows
did he betray any signs Of weakness.
He stood on the scaffold apparently as
cool as any man in the assemblage
that witnessed the execution and made
his final address and babe farewell
to those about him. He spoke clearly
and distinctly, and without effort. His
address was connected and coherent
and worthy of n Of greater educa-
ton or ability. His pose was firm
and not until all arrangements had
been completed, the black cap drawn
down over his face, his limbs strapped
together and the word given for the
release of the tran. did his limbs give
signs of giving away. Then there
was q slight swaying of the body, and
relaxation of the limbs as though the
will which had controlled him nearly
to the end was giving way. Then the
lever was released, the trap fell, there
was a heavy thud ms the body reached
the end Of the rope, and the sentence
of the law had been carried out.
Cole passed his last night in the
room back of the court room on the
second floor Of the building. He was
taken up from the cell last night by
Sheriff BOgue, in order that he might
not have to climb the stairs leading
ito the court room On the morning Of
the execution, it being thought by the
sheriff, and considerably, that it would
be well to spare Cole this effort. In
this room he slept and passed the
night attended by Deputies Sheriff
Mason, Bowman and Weymouth, while
Sheriff Bogue saw that all arrange
ments for Jim's comfort, as: we'll as
those for the success OF. the execution
were complete. The condemned man
slept for three hours, or from midnight
until about 3 O'Clock. Then he wax
sened, and made his preparations for
the. end. He dressed himself In q
meat new suit Of black which had been
provided for him. A white shirt and
collar set OF the ebon Of his complex
ion, and q white tie added to the neat
ness Of his dress. He wore black
shoes, well polished, and presented q
neat appearance, as he sat down to
his last meal which was served a little
before 5 O'Clock.
Those who were invited to witness
the execution, as witnesses, deputies,
and at the request OF the condemned
man, arrived at the jail at about 4
o'clock, and from then to B., and took
their seats in the court room to await
the last act Of the laws tragedy.
From the room in which Cole was max
ing his preparations and awaiting the
final summons to the gallows, only
occasional murmurs of conversation
c0uld/b heard. Jim realized that
the2tifme was drawing e but it ap-
parently affected neither his GOODNESS
nor his appetite. His breakfast was
served a little before 3 O'clock. 1t
consisted of ham and eggs, bread and
butter and coffee. He ate and drank
heartily. The supply Of food was
liberal, but although his appetite was
apparently keen, he was unable to
dispose OF all set before him.
During the meal he amused himself
y with a running fire of comments and