Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-12-14

SENSATIONALIS RUN MAD.


The representatives OF the metropolitan
were not satisfied with the ac-
counts of the execution at Windsor FRI
day given by the Vermont journalists Sc
lected for the purpose OF witnessing and
reporting the gruesome sight. and they
are evidently determined to reap their
revenge on Governor Bell and Vermont
in general by printing everything dscred-
table about the State in this connection
that the most vivid imagination can de-
pct. We have already printed the official
reports showing that there were no re-
voting scenes of an unusual nature at
tending the hanging of Mary Rogers.
and those reports have been sent to all
papers throughout the country but the
yellow journals continue to insist upon
printing all sorts of sensational mis-
statements.
United States Marshal Horace w. Bailey
was importuned by many persons to fur
nish a statement of the situation and he
has performed a distinct service for the
people of Vermont as well as thoroughly
rcbuked the yellow Journals in the follow
News
| II went to the State prison on Tues
day and remained until after the event
in question. Had only exact facts and oc-
lcurrences been related In all of the daily
papers no statement would seem neces-
sary. For several days prior to the day
of hanging one would be led to believe,
by the sensational reports in some Of tho
daily papers, sent out from Windsor
that the newspaper reporters were in
charge of the State prison. having FREQ
access To tn. death chamber For these
reports detailed IN specific items what
Mrs. Rogers said and did. what she alta
and what she refused to eat. how sha
slept and didn't sleep how she
sobbcd and didn't sob. They gave a de-
tailed account of her meeting with her
mother and sister. quoting conversations.
etc.
'"Ihese were lies made out Of full
cloth. No reporter had been admitted
since the death watch and no interview
granted by prison official. The pound
ing incident to the erection of the gallows
could not he heard in the death chamber
of Mrs. Rogers and all the details of
preparation We're attended to with great
care and detail by High Sheriff Peck and
Q Supsrint endont Lowell, and carried Out
by their deputies.
ION the morning of the execution three
men representatives OF Vermont news
papers were admitted to the prison ant
$ granted every facility to gain correct in
formation of the event Of the day and o
the condition OF Mrs. Rogers from thu
time Of the death watch. November q
. These newspaper mon were to furnish tn
state papers with the account, and did 81
furnish, and these papers relying on tina
account have published a plain. concise
y statement of facts.
= "rhe report that Superintendent l-ovel
;. hid IN the barn is untrue. The story o
the hanging being a bungling job is like
wise untrue. After the drop It was dis
y covered that the rope had stretche'
= slightly so that the toes touched the floor
|, thcreupon the body was lifted by the rop
:, an inch or two that il might swing clea
" OF the floor. Both physicians stated ina
The neck was broken by the fall AM
II death. therefore, was instantaneous am
n painless. This event was not considere
a of Importance enough to be sent to tn
public by the newspaper men who say
= it all. The time "A minutes, taken 10
= the cessation OF the heart beating was no
l. unusual, being at least two minutes les
II than was the case with Bell, whose hans
!. lnc occurred some years ago. Inc bod
- was taken down in the usual way an
!" laid In the basketball done as tehoeri
Is and kindly as though the men IN chars
Is were performing a last sad rite for frlen
- or neighhor.
'The law was well executed ana mop
~ 1t will be- the last event OF its Kind VIII
e. messed in the State for years to come