Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-09-01
Green wood.

When the present year, 1908, came in
mention was made of several events
which occurred half century previous,
among others the death of my uncle and
q great April snow storm as related by
Hartford in rhyme. But there is one
more incident to relate, and more tragic
than anything yet recorded, that trans
pired just so years ago to-day, August
20, 1858, and why so clearly remembered
is the fact that it was on my 2Sth birth
day. OF course it will be impossible to
give anything more than brief sketch
of the event, since there is none of it's
history available.
Some time during the year in question
the brig, Albion Cooper, sailed from
Portland and bound for the West Indies.
When few days from port mutiny oc.
Cured, resulting in the death of two
men, now thought to be the master and
mate, so that instead of proceeding on
ward, the vessel was taken back to Port
land, and two men, Cox, a negro, be
longing in st. Thomas, w. l., and Will
liams, Belgian, were found guilty of
the murder and sentenced to be hanged
on the day mentioned, but instead of
being kept in Portland they were taken
to Auburn where the execution took
place.
The day was an ideal one and could
not have been improved had it been
made to order, and the facilities for see-
ing the deed performed were equally
perfect. At the hour appointed the
prisoners were led out, clothed in white,
assembled the scaffold, then took their
places on the trap door which was elevat-
ed several inches above the general level,
and all without showing the least sign
of faltering. The next thing to do was
to tie their hands behind them, then
pull down their black caps over their
faces, and lastly to adjust the ropes
around their necks; few moments
more, and the key which sustained the
trap door was knocked out, and down
dropped the two men nearly 10 feet, and
within few inches of the ground be-
fore the ropes frightened, there being
more slack than was intended. Hardly
any motion was seen from either, since
their necks must have been instantly
broken.
Physicians were on the ground to
examine their condition, and soon
pronounced them dead and they were
taken away, thus closing the melancholy
scene. The man who did the work was
William K. Kimball OF Paris, and he per-
formed it all in workmanlike manner.
Several years later he committed suicide
with revolver.
1t was estimated that there we're at
least 1000 people on the ground to see
the execution, and it would be interest
ing to know how many of them are liv-
ing to-day. Quite a number went from
Hartford, and so far as known am the
only one living to tell the sad tale.
There is sequel to all this which may
be told in few words; only a year or 80
after, sea captain whose name have
forgotten, murdered one of his men, had
his trial and was acquitted on a plea of
insanity, which showed the truth Of
what Horace Greeley used to say, that
there is one law for the rich, and anoth-
or for the poor. That Is all true, ''and
pity tits tits true;" and ]. D. Rockefeller
is having the benefit of that law.
After several weeks of severe sickness
Irving Penley was called from our midst
to the higher life beyond. Being a
home boy, Irving, after completing his
education by attending Paris High
School, later an agricultural school, with
the exception of having employment
with E. l.. Tebbets & Co. last winter,
has always worked on his home farm.
AS very pleasant and agreeable young
man he will be greatly missed by large
circle of friends in this vicinity.
Chas. Felt and family of Portland are
visiting relatives and friends in town.
Gertrude, daughter of Isaac Judkins
Of Locke's Mills, has found employment
at Mrs. o. G. Whitman's.
Mrs. Vernon Walton and two children
Of South Paris spent Saturday and Sun
day with her sister, Mrs. F. B. Edgerly.
Bertha Corbett Is at home from her
work on Paris Hill.
Lindal Yates and brother Will with
their ladies had very pleasant excur-
sion to Old Orchard Sunday.
One of the birthday remembrances re-
ceived by your correspondent the 7th
was a hand painted leather post card
album. A very pretty and nice piece of
haudiwork.