Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1913-03-29
Tragic Scenes Surround the
Execution of the Two
Outlaws.
NO FEAR OF DEATH.
Bodies are Viewed by Thousands
Who Crowd Undertakers After the
Bodies Were Removed.

Richmond, Va, March 29.-"I an
willing to GO"
With these half whispered word
upon his lips, which moved as though
in prayer, Floyd Allen went 10 hi
death at the penitentlary at 1:2'
o'clock yesterday afternoon, proceed
ing by nine minutes, his son, Claude
who was pronounced dead at 1:3;
o'cock.
The fatal climax to the long history
of ithe courthouse tragedy at Hillsyill,
followed fast upon the unexpected re
turn of Governor Mann from Penn
sylvania to his Office in the Virginia
State Capitol. 1t came after one Of
the most dramatic eleventn-hour eff
forts to cheat the law ever made ir
the history of Virginia, and after q
proceeding probably unparalleled in any
other state.
In striking contrast to the feverish
agitation of those who fought long
and earnestly in their behalf, the two
doomed mountaineers faced the grave
with absolute calmness and resigna-
ton. Each man walked to death with
out a tremor. A prayer was breathed
from the tightly-drawn lips of Floyd,
the grizzled mountain chieftain. The
younger man died without word and
without any indication of emotion,
other than most complete resigna-
tion.
The first jury having been formed in
line on the main hallway to the ground
floor commenced its march to the
chamber of death at LIT o'clock. The
procession moved in solemn order
through the grated doorway opening
into the inner courtyard and then,
turning sharply to the left, began the
descent of the narrow stairway lead
ing to the subterranean death cham
Der.
When the file of twelve men had
passed through the door TO inis apart
ment Of terror the portal closed and
all was silent without. Within the
chamber was dimly lighted. Rows of
plain oaken chairs for the jurors were
ranged to the northern enc of the
room, at the other side of which stood
in ahe shadow the awful engine of
death. About the chair, standing mo-
tionless, several guards and keepers
stood ready to exact the laws due.
Suddenly and quietly, guard placed
a board, studded with incandescant
lights, across the arms of 1.-The chair,
the switch was turned and the current
applied. At once the little chamber
was ablaze with light. This was to
fest She chair An was found in read
iness. The board was removed and a
redoubled gloom stettled over ALL
In another moment faint tapping
was heard at the bolt-studded dool
which leads from the death cells into
the death chamber. This door was
opened by some unseen hand, ano
Floyd Allen, with bowed head anc
muttering lips, stood in the portals
He was clad in dark trousers and 9
,rhite shirt. with collar and tie attach
cd. His hair was neatly brushed ane
his face appeared trifie flushed al
though his eyes were downcast anc
misty.
With guard on either side he quick
ly took eight or nine steps to-the chair
clancing at the oaken chair OF doom
for one brief instant, and then NUT
tered audibly: "I am willing to go.
With these parting words, he sank IN
ITO the chair. Four attendants quick!
buckled his arms and legs. A cap wa
placed over his head and the sW1tc'
turned on. Instantly 1000 volts Q
electricity surged through his oody
across whose chest was fastened
heavy strap The bosom OF the OF
mountaineer heaved heavily severa
times, his right hand became cllncn
ed into fist, and an instant later nj
Efeless form relaxed into the chair a
the current was turned Of: z,-.s.,vs,sssss
The official times Of Floyd's electro
cution were as follows: He enbere
the death chamber at 1:20; the currer
was applied at 1:22, andeat l:26 D
Herbert Mann, penitentiary surgeo!