The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-12-12

Windsor Vt. Dec. S.--Vermont
hanged Mary Rogers this afternoon
for the murder OF her husband, Marcus
Rogers, and for fourteen minutes there
was scene enacted in Windsor prison
which made the witnesses slcken and
turn from the sight
The rope. with which the wretched
woman was hanged, had not been test
ed. and when the drop came the
weight of the bo0y stretched the ma
nila strands and Mrs. Rogers feet
dragged on the floor,
& Three stalwart deputy sheriffs, on
the scaffold above. seized the top of
the rope and lifted the body clear of
the floor, and held it for fourteen
long minutes, until the woman stran-
gled to death.
Prison officials made efforts to pre-
vent the bungle from becoming
known. but their efforts were futile.
The states witnesses made known
all the, facts tonight.
The states official sprang the trap
at 1:14 o'clock. and at 1:2S pronounced
Mrs. Rogers dead. The neck of the
/, woman was not broken, and 1t was
not until fourteen minutes had passed
that death by strangulation had en-
sued. No explanation has been given
at the prison why the rope which had
been tested yesterday and found salts
factory, had been discarded at the last
moment, and a three-ply manila rope,
purchased In the village used.
The new rope was fastened to the
cross-tree of the scaffold without hav-
ting been stretched. and one deputy
Sheriff expressed himself quite for
cibiy this morning that there would
be trouble IL the rope was not given
stretching. An effort was made TO
have 1t appear that the woman's neck
was broken by the fall. The body was
shipped to Hoosick Falls, N. Y, this
afternoon, and reached there tonight.
Mary Rogers went to her death
quietly and bravely. II was a remark
able exhibition of nerve and self-con-
troll and at her death she rose far
above the sordld levels of her life.
In view of the miserable affair to-
day, the legislature, when 1t meets
next fall, will doubtless repeal the law
providing for the infliction Of the
death penalty.
Mary Rogers spent the final hours
of her life in her cell, with her spirit
ual adviser. Father Delaney, in pray
er. Shortly before the noon hour she
dressed herself in a black silk waist
and skirt, with the assistance of Ma
iron Durkee. She was quite calm and
took much interest in arraying herself
Tor the occasion. She carefully placed
q gold chain and locket, which her
sister had given her. around her neck.
MRS. Durkee, | would so much like
TO have new pair of patient leather
Shoes" she said to the matrOn, and
while the shoes were being sent for
n to village store, she told Mrs. Dur
kee that she wanted to be buried In the
clothes she had worn at the hanging.
The feminine instinct for outward
show seemed to dominate her, and to
Btill the fear of death She showed
much pride In everything she did,
while adorning herself, and arranging.
her hair. Then, with Mrs. Durkee,
she left her cell, after bidding her
guards, Mr. and Mrs. Durkee, farewell,
and went to the matron's room where
she awaited the call to the gallows.
She sat quietly in a chair for over an
hour, and made no comment or state
ment
Father Delaney came into the room
and made a prayer, until Deputy Sher7
IFS Spafford. Kiniery, TiHkham and
Bond came to lead her 10 her death.
( The march 10 the execution room
began at 1:06 o'clock. Deputy SherIff
Kiniery walked by Mrs. Rogers side.
|, while Father Delaney walked just a
step behind. The trio was Immediate
ly preceded by the three deputies
When she reached the foot of the
steps which led down into the excu-
ion chamber, her eyes fell for the first
time upon the gallows. She only
ooked at II for moment, and then
Iured her head away. but the states
Witnesses and prison officials, who
we're ranged abut the room. saw no
,ign. of faitering or fear
Mounting the gallows steps, her
dress caught on the steps. and she
stopped and swept II free. She was
seen to murmur some words. and
Father Delaney said later that the
woman was praying.
Mrs. Rogers was pallid and she con-
tinually moistened her lips as she
sat on chair on the scaffold. Shc
closed her eyes at times and paid nc
attention TO those about her. Her lips
moved. but her words were even in
audible TO the deputies at her side,
Father Dslsnes bent forward toward