The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-21

DAWS0N kas svdtnessed It's first
II official hanging. On Aagast4.
At 3 n tie morning. Edwad Hendtr-
son. sv6tte man. and Iim and Ds1o-
sonNantuck. tao Indians. paid tie fall
penalty Of tie Aw for murder. Bat
= fen persons 1pdnessed the triple
execution. ~hicb Uas nared by the
breaking Of tie rope wbich bound
yoaag Ds1pson Nznfuck's hands and
tie frantic efforts Of tie murderer to
drssy himself up BY catching tie rope
above lis head after the drop had
Been sprung.
Henderson and I'm Nanfuck march
ed boldly to tie scaffold, 1phile Dau'-
son Nantuck 7,hen 1pihin tie sbadow
Of tie salows completely broke
dosvn. His cries and pleading for
kelp could Be plainly heard outside
tie Ds1vson jail yard. 1ehere tie ex-
ecution took place.
-HE steamer City Of Topeka. which ar
rived from sitka last night, brought
= the Srst news Of the hanging. The
execution was carried out by Capt. Har-
per. sheriff Of the territory. who made
the trip from Tagish In 4 canoe and ar
rived only six hours before the hour set.
According TO the advices the condemned
men passed restless night. each pray
ing that another reprieve would come 10
prolong life. At daylight Henderson gave
up and. having professed Christianity.
made up his mind to 60 10 the scaffold
unattended As he was a cripple he was
advised to accept assistance. which he
refused. The two Indians were not 20
calm. but a. the hour TO prepare for the
last march drew near each seemed TO nerve
himself for the ordeal During the morn
ing Rev. II. A. Naylor. clergyman OF the
Church OF England. offered spiritual ad-
vice 70 the condemned men. which was
accepted by ALL Neither had much to say.
and when all was ready Henderson turned
to his guards and thanked them for their
Kindness.
At ten minutes TO o'clock the solemn
march began. Capt. Harper led followed
by Rev. Mr.. Nay,or. Next came Hender-
son. his arms pinioned 20 his SIDES. with
a guard TO the right and left. Dawson
and Jim Nantuck. each supported by two
guards. brought up the rear as the party
emerged from the Jail 10 the court yard.
where stood the grim locking instruments
Of death. A chair had been placed above
the trap for Henderson on account Of his
infirmitiea This he waved aside. and
with but one look around as II in search
OF some friendly face. with resolution and
seif-controi which never deserted him un-
til his body shot through the trap. ne
mounted the little stairway leading to the
scasYold.
Fights for His Life.
Jim Nan,uck was cool and when Daw-
look Of disgust and walked TO his place
on tho platform. On ascending the plat
form Dawson made tremendous effort
to be brave. but the sight OF the trap and
the dangling rope were too much for him.
into a loud cry and looked about pleading
for help So weak was his condition tha,
the chair intended for Henderson was
placed in position for Dawson. and seated
in this directly over the trap he went TO
his death.
A brief prayer Was offered by Rev Nay
lor. and promptly al O'Clock the finger
cf Capt. Harper gave warning 10 the
hsngman. and a second later the three
bodies shot through the traps 20 drop az
six feet. Dawson occupied. the center trap.
and as the rope ;fsh,sned I, was no;scecs
fer the .irsi time that he hal toosen~f cne
hand. Another instant and the hans sho,
upwards. Srasaing the rope above his head.
A desperate effort was made 10 release the
rore. and this was only done after the
body bad been half pulled VI through the
trap. Tho fall had been broken. however.
end with lahored breathing. ~htch could he
plainly heard. Dawson slowly checked to
death.
The rope around Een3erson's nsck slip
Ted uneil the knot Was brought under tho
chin. This save3 ;ae neck from breaking.
aud ne eAokssi TO death. Jim Nansack met
tho quickest death. His neck Was broken
BY the fall Al the expiration % nfteen
minutes the bodies were Gu, ecwn ard
,grv snparelea. after which tire usual for
mals,ies o. heading an inquest we're gone
through with.
At The cooclusscn e the snaues; tie sArss