The National tribune., 1905-11-16
The second day of his convalesence

The second: day Of his convalesence
passed, and he seemed very weak, but
partook of "a little snourishment. Dur
Ing the evening Of the third day he
seemed more like himself, and / saw
him talking pleasantly with his guard.
very calm. Standing as he did on the
threshold Of his doom, all pitied him;
even the rough element by whom he
was surrounded spoke respectfully OF
him, and hoped against, hope that
something might yet save him.
AS this night wore on the thugs and
thieves composed themselves to rest,
and all dropped in the sawdust on the
floor and were soon asleep. A few
minutes before the o'clock morning
relief came on terrific din ensued and
three shots were fred in rapid success
sion, while every sentry about the place
seemed shouting Corporal Of the
stantly the inmates Of our section
sprang UP and all instinctively ran to
the end Of the hall where Webster was,
or was not, for on looking through the
palings we could see his vacant cot
with the handouts and shackles lying
on 1t, while the blankets lay nearly
in the middle of the room and Web
ster gone. My heart beat with hope
that he was gone and safely. It seem
ed q miracle. Great commotion ensued
for some time, and through the open
windows came the sound of search and
the blaze OF lanterns. Then after q
half hour or more his escape was ad-
mitted. and all settled down to try for
sleep.
Some time had elapsed when I was
aroused by excited voices and q great
gathering on the stairs, and presently
q squad Of soldiers appeared bearing
poor Webster with a badly-shattered
onklo ho6 <l,o
ground, and partly losing his balance,
had his leg doubled under him and
broken: yet by superhuman effort he
had climbed to the top Of tall lum-
Der pile, which stood near, before the
guards reached the spot where he fell.
Not finding him. they had given him
up, but he. after examining his injuries
and realizing the impossibility Of es-
cape, had called for help to be taken
In and to get treatment for his in
juries. He proved to have suffered Sc
we're internal injury, and his sufferings
for the next few days were excruciat-
Ing. But the day Of his deliverance was
at hand, for the day set for his execu-
ton had arrived, and though emaciated
and suffering from his injuries he
asked for no delay and none was Of
fered. He was borne from his cot to
the place Of execution on a beautiful
April morning, and sat with calmness
u
placed on the scaffold. The moose was
adjusted, when old Caphart lifted the
crippled form to partially-upright po-
sition, gave the signal, the weight was
released, and by its fall snatched the
form OF a noble patriot from the foul
embrace OF Caphart, bore it aloft, while
from its shattered body escaped as
dauntless. AS brave spirit as shines
In the constellation OF war heroes.
Other iacfde nts Of thrilling interest
ensued, but time forbids their recital:
but may explain that as Webster
threw off his blankets his guard was
pacing partially away from him. His
method ofvridding himself OF his irons
remains to me a mystery. He rapidly
stairs leading to the floor above. Here
he had to- throw up window sash,
spring out upon roof at that level, run
along this roof to It's end, which abut-
ted upon vacant property below, and
where upon an elevated platform paced
the other sentry. Still another sentry
was located In sort OF court below.
So as Webster was in the act OF SPRING
ing out Of the window his own sentry
fred on him, the ball barely missing
him and crashing through the sash
just above him. Then as he appeared
on the roof the sentry from the court
below fred. but missed him.
Ar he rushed along tho roof to the
end. 90 as to leap to the ground out
the platform. who also fred just as he
made tho leap overheard to q depth
that was stated to be 81 feet.
In q short conversation was permit
ted to have with him after the event
he expressed belief that had he been
well he certainly would have succeed
ed; but he said the Grabbing Of the bull.