The Saint Paul globe., 1904-01-24

xix, 13: Thine eye shall not pity
him, but thou shalt put away the guilt
of innocent blood from Israel, that II
may go well with thee"
The church service over, which, on
account of infirmity, Mrs. Spooner was
unable to attend, the procession was
formed at o'clock for the march to the
place of execution. The three men pro-
ceeded on foot, but Bathsheba was per-
mitted to ride in chaise with Rev.
Thaddeus Macarty Though crowds
thronged the way, the march was or
derly. To add to the solemnity Of the
scene thunder cloud darkened the air
and the suns face was yelled in pity.
Then, says the chronicler followed
''an awful hour; the loud shouts OF the
officers amidst crowd of 5000 people,
tc Make way! Make way!' the horses
prancing upon those in front, the
shrieks of the women in tumult and
confusion, the malefactors slowly ad-
vancing to the fatal tree, preceded by
the dismal coffins, the fierce corusca-
tons of lightning athwart the darkened
horizon, quickly followed by peals of
thunder, conspired together and pro-
duced a dreadful scene of horror.
1T seemed as if the author of nature
had added such terrors to the punish
ment Of the criminals as might soften
the hearts Of the most obstinate and
abandoned"
Rides to the GaIlows.
Bathsheba Spooner still beautiful
and resolute, rode with dignity, becom-
ingly gowned in her best, with plumes
nodding above her proud head, to the
foot Of the galloWs, bowling graciously
to acquaintances she recognized on her
way and conversing with her compan-
ion.
She was permitted to remain in the
chaise until three men had been ar
ranged upon the scaffold and the death
warrant had been read. She bowed
gracefully to the spectators whom she
recognized and when the time came,
with a smile, she mounted the scaffold
and acknowledged that her punishment
was just.
Taking the sheriff's hand, she said:
my dear sir, I am ready. In a little
time expect to be in bliss, and but a
few years must elapse when 1 hope
shall see you and my other friends
again."
The drop fell and the awe-stricken
spectators returned to their homes.
Not beside her kindred, but in a
lonely grave on the hillside, in ground
owned by friend. the body Of the
beautiful enchantress was laid to rest,
and the forgiving earth closed over her
forever.
Few in these days know the place.
but whenever a shining woman is con-
demned in Massachusetts to give up
her life on the scaffold the spirits Of
Bathsheba Ruggles Spooner and her
unborn child arise from the grave on
the hillside to make pitiful appeal, and
never without avail.
None Hanged in Century.
Women have been tried for murder
in Massachusetts many times since and
some have been convicted and SEN
fenced to death, but Massachusetts
governors have never permitted the life
OF woman to be taken.
Bathsheba Ruggles Spooner was the
last to die.
In Worcester is a MAGNIFICENT estate
OF 1,100 acres, which the late Andrew
III. Green, father of greater New
York" maintained. Into this charming
demesne, with Its beautiful groves, it's
lake, its shady lanes and it's old manor
house, the antiquary will lead the one
who would know where the colonial
cicle rests.
And there he will find the lonely
grave on the hillside, where lies Bath
sheba Ruggles Spooner, whose sister
welded the grandfather of Andrew H.
Green, who has just been laid to rest
the innocent victim Of murder, the
cauSe-a woman