Year: 1861




giving an account Of the preliminary arrangements
for the execution, the assembling of large throng
OF spectators, &C., says:


Soon after this time, the public we're astounded
by the report that the convict, White, had pos
sessed himself of chain, and, armed with it,
threatened instant death to any man who should
dare to enter his prison. The report was found to
be true. There had been chain strongly fixed
In the floor OF the prison, to which it had become
necessary some occasions to secure the priso-
ners; this chain White with almost superhuman
strength, had wrenched from its fastenings 1t
was common-szcd ox-chain, about three feet in


length, and had upon one of its ends an iron ring
nearly nine inches in circumference. White had
armed himself with this chain, and by running the
links through the ring, had made heavy knot of
iron which proved to be indeed formidable
weapon. Standing thus armed inside the door of
his CELL White declared with terrible oaths that
no living man should enter. In this dilemma, a
pause ensued in the proceedings. Sheriff Black
made attempt to enter, assisted by four resolute
ard fearless men. Driven to desperation, the
hardened criminal struck a tremendous blow,
which, happily was but rslight injury upon the
left hand Of the sheriff.


1t was now proposed to inject ammonia into the
fsce of the convict and thus by his temporary
sufocatlon enable the officer to take possession Of
his cell. This was tried but failed. The misera-
bic murderer recoiled for instant under the
effect of the liquid, but speedily recovering him
self, he stood again at the door armed with his
terrible weapon and looking the impersonifcation
of fiend. 1t really seemed as though the arch
fend hel ped him. It resolved to drench
the cell with chloroform and thus lul the turbu-
lent spirit within until he could be safely captured
The sheriff was still advised to disable him with
pistol ball, but answered that he would not pro-
ceed to such harsh measures until all other less
cruel means had failed One or two bottles of
chloroform procured and the atmosphere Of
the cell was thoroughly impregnated with its
fumes; blankets suspended outside the graf ed
windows Of the cell, and every step taken to make
this effort successful. At first, the furious wretch
laughed at this attempt 1t was clear that his
wicked course Of life had made him familiar with
the and the effects of chloroform Indeed, he
said so, aud told the officers that the article they
we're using weak and poor He evidently was
acquainted with chemicals. In order to resist its
effects he wound his bed-quilt around his face,
went occasionally to the window for air, and re-
moved portion of the blanket by reaching out
and drawing it through the grating; so as to make
an opening for the admission of the wind


More than an hour bad been consumed in these
fruitess efforts to obtain possession Of the prisoner
and his weapon, and it began to be apparent that
harsher means were necessary. At about twelve
o'clock White was heard TO say" they have tried
nartshorn and chloroform upon me, but one has
neutralized the action Of the other they are now
going to try something else" He evidently saw
that he must ultimately submit, and, though at
first prepared to sell his life as dearly as possible
his courage and strength now began to fail. He
therefore proposed that if the Sheriff would give
him his dinner and drink of whisky, and let him
live till one O'clock he would yield his weapon
and surrender himself. This proposition was &C
cepted, and White gave up his knotted chain
through the grating Of the door, dinner was pre-
pared for him, and glass of water with slight
Of whiskey, handed him to drink. 1t
was the last Office of apparent mercy and the
Sheriff willingly performed it.


At one o'clock the Sheriff entered the cell
White came forward and surrendered himself
His were pinioned behind him, and he
walked resoiutely down the stairs of the jail
through the hall and into the fearful place pre-
pared for his terrible death. Here brief religious
services were held.


The services concluded, White accompanied by
the sheriff and his assistants, ascended the steps
Of the galIows without apparent trepidation. He
never faltered moment, but examined with
critical eye all the appliances prepared for his
execution. And now occurred one of the most
horrifyiEg and painful scenes in this terrible
drama When upon the scaffold, and his
ankles being bound together the usual white cap
was produced, and he was informed that it was
necessary to put it upon his head. To this White
objected, insisting that no change should be made
in his apparel. He wore the little felt cap with
which he had covered his head from his first i'm
prisonment When the sheriff removed the felt
cap, and was about substituting the usual white
one, the prisoner again objected and, with fearful
imprecations, declared that it should not be
put on. Sheriff Black, in decided tone, en-
deavored to persuade the prisoner, but in vain
For nearly an hour the officers were engaged n a
struggle to enforce compliance. Here, indeed,
was the demoniac character of the prisoner dis
played. He made every effort to prevent the Off
GERS from putting on the white covering. Pinioned
and bound as he was, be fought with desperation
He snapped and bit at their fingers he leaped
into the air, he crouched toward the ground, and
for some time it seemed doubtful whether he could
be compelled to submit.


After severe and protracted struggle the cap
was thrown upon his head and securely adjusted
about his face and the strings drawn around his
neck. Nothing now remained of the direful
and adjust the fatal moose With some difficulty
Of four men being required for this purpose. As
and placed the knot beneath the ear Of the ua-
happy man, he exclaimed with fearful impreca-
tions, :" What in hell you choking me now
for?-you are choking me, for can hardly speak"
These are the last words of the unhappy man.
The Sheriff gave the signal that all was ready to
bis deputy, Mr Schultz in moment the trigger
was drawn, the drop fell, and that unhappy man,