The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-06

fortune, 1 hope you will be satisfied"
bengan Henderson Then he launched
into his prepared address, reviewing
the crime for which he was convicted
and asking forgiveness for those who
were instrumental in securing his con-
Viction. He positively denied that the
deed was premeditated murder but did
not attempt to justify his atrocious
crime. Henderson talked more like a
man delivering a Fourth of July ora
ton than one who was about to paw
the death penalty for murder. There
was not tremor in his voice or in his
body as he spoke.
Gives Presents.
At the close of the address he pre-
sented Sheriff Butchart a new testa-
ment and each Of the six deputies were
given a rose. 1t was just O'clock
When Henderson was led from the ia.l
10 the court room No. l, where the gal
lows had been erected in that court
room the prisoner had been tried, con-
VIcted and sentenced.
He was accompanied bv Sheriff Rut
chart and Rev. John Callahan, of the
Star of Hope Mission. Callahan had
been the murderer'S spiritual adviser
since his conviction.
He prayed for five minutes and then
Henderson commenced his speech. He
said he did not fear death, as he was
prepared to meet his God. Only
sheriffs from the adjoining counties
and their deputies were allowed at the
hanging. The morbid crowd of several
hundred persons who surrounded the
court house were refused admission.
1t was just 1:4O o'clock when Sheriff
Butchart pulled the lever that opened
the trap door. Henderson. after q
brief prayer in which the spectators
Joined, told the officials that he was
ready. He did not finch one particle.
AT /: 5S Coroner Boyer pronounced the
man dead and the body was cut down.
A post mortem examination revealed
that Henderson's neck was not broken
by the fall, but that death resulted
from strangulation.
Soon after the court house was closed
at $50 last night carpenters were put
TO work erecting the galloWs in the
large court room on the second floor
OF the building. The structure, which
was built entirely of pine, was thirteen
feet, eleven inches high and seven feet
above It's base was surrounded by a
twelve foot square platform. The tran
through which Henderson was sprung
was three feet square and allowed a
fall of exactly five feet.
His Nerve Did Not Fail.
Henderson's wonderful nerve contin-
ued until the end. During his last dav
on earth he remained pleasant and af-
fable. He talked with the iail officials
sang hymns and prayed and even in
dulged In jokes, while the undertaken
was measuring him to ascertain Tho
required size of the coffin.
What wonderful nerVe!" exclaimed
one of the visitors to the taller.
The remark was heard by the CON-
demned man and he promptly REPLIED.
1t amt nerve, sir, that keeps me
up; it is trust in the Almighty God
1t is knowledge of the forgiveness Of
my sins. Don't call it nerve: call II q
trust in the mercy of Christ. I do NOT
fear death in the least and will meet
death without flinching."
Rev. John Callahan, of the Star of
Hope mission, who was Henderson's
spiritual adviser since shortly after his
condemnation, was present with his
charge the greater part Of yesterday
leaving only for a few hours du1ine.
the afternoon in order to give Hen
derson an opportunity to visit alone
with his sisters and intimate friends
While with Mr. Callahan the condemn"
ed man read his Bible and recited sev-
eral prayers. He also sang hvn,ne
one of his own composition, Il Was
Once Mothers Blessing"
His Last Day.
Henderson rose yesterday mornino