Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1910-03-16
GENERAL NEWS Of 1865.
Execution Of the COnspirators and Assassi-
majors Of Lincoln. Other Items.

Petersburg, July 10th, 1866
The Northern papers received here
to-day are filled with descriptions
of the execution of the conspira-
tors.
All of the prisoners had spirit
ual counsel with them during the
whole of Thursday night and Fri
day morning up to the time of
execution, and without exception
were benefited by it. They all
exhibited a great deal of emotion
and appeared very contrite. Mrs.
Surratt suffered from nervous
spasms and her cries during the
night were heart-rendering.
Miss Surratt, herself made the
most strenuous efforts to obtain
pardon for her mother. Failing
in this she, aided by her ccunsel,
appealed for the postponement of
the execution. Her friends did
everything in their power to as
sist her. Her efforts were almost
superhuman. All day Thursday
she visited first one official and
then another, and her appeals for
mercy were distressing. The
Government was firm in it's deci.
sion and withstood the influence
brought to bear upon it.
A short time previous to the
execution Payne Atzerott and
Harold, each made a confession
in which they admitted their
completely and freely developed
the existence of a plot as extern
sive as the officers of the govern
m ant had surmised.
Up to the last moment Mrs.
Surratt proclaimed her innocence,
and repeatedly stated that she
was as clear of completely with
the murder of the President as
Mrs Lincoln herself. She betray-
ed the utmost agitation,
When the prisoners were brought
out of their cells, and conducted
to she scaffold Mrs. Surratt con-
tinued to betray the greatest ner-.
vousness. 1t was with difficulty
that she was able to stand on the
platform and repeatedly asked the
attendants not to let her fall. Al.
most her last words were, 'Please
don't let me fall" When the
rope was adjusted her lips moved
as if in prayer. She and Atzerstt
died easy-almost without stEug-
gle; Payne aud Harold str aggled
violently, and their contortions
were fearful to behold.
After life had been pronounced
extinct the bodies were cut down
and given to their friends with
the exception of Payne's which
was disposed of by the Govern
ment, as no one called for it.
The execution took place at
precisely ten minutes past one.
O'Laughlln, Dr. Mudd, Arnold
and Spangler have been sent to
the Albany Penitentiary.
Among the applications for par
don, on the 9th, were Messrs. Ash,
Ramsay and Mcdowell, late mem
BERG of the Confederate Congress.
One hundred and thirteen pardons
wore granted North Carolianlans
coming within the 10000 excep-
ton.
Generals Schofeld, Wallace,
Sickles, Fitzpatrick, Devide, Rantz
and Robinson were present at
reunion Of the officers of the army
of Tennessee on the 4th, together
with a number of inferior officers
Dim + was had, and Col. Hilyer
presided. The whole affair pass
ed off PLEASANTLY and agreeably.
Gen. OK has been ordered to
retain command of North Caro-
lima until the Ieturn of General
Schofeld.
A splendid banquet was given
to Gen. Sherman, at the Masonic
Temple, Louisville, KY. Monday
night, the 3rd. The General
made al address, and was follow
ed by other distinguished orators.
Having become postmaster at
Chattanooga, member of the
Tennessee House of Representa-
tives and candidate for Con-
gress Mr., J. R. Hood has ceased
to edit the Chattanooga Gazette.
As the Presidents car reached