Year: 1869

ed to know if Morgan himself was pre-
pared. Before | could answer, Nor
gan commenced shouting, as if in the
hope of obtaining assistance. "By
Godr' said one of our number, THAT
must be stopped, or we may all yet be
discoveredw' So saying, he entered
the magazine, followed by myself and
and striding up TO Morgan, he
bade him cease that useless alarm,
which could avail him nothing, for that
die he must, if we had to kill him
where he stood. AS if cowed by the
ferceness of this demonstration, Nor
gan stopped shouting,and again began
demonstrating against our conduct,
which he declared to be wholly un-
justifable, even if he had violated his
masonic obligations, for Masons had
no right to put men to death. He was
again told that all remonstrances were
idle, and that he should prepare him.
self for death, otherwise he would have
to die without making his peace. From
this momenG, and as if his nature re-
volted against the oppression of which
he was the object, his bearing under
went a change. He became more firm,
and disdained to make further appeals
for mercy for himself; but the feelings
of the husband and the father were
still strong within him, and he hum
bled himself so far as to plead in be-
half of his family. He begged that
some permanent provision might be
made for them, and, above all things,
implOred US to communicate his fate
to his wife. He requested that one of
US would write letter to his wife,
making her acquainted with the facts
connected with his death, in order
that her mind might be relieved from
the horrors of uncertainty. AS we
saw no harm in making this promise,
which, OF course we had no idea of
keeping, we pledged ourselves to CON-
ply with his request, and assured him
that his family should not be permit
ted to suffer from poverty. We then
told him that we would leave him
alone for half an hour, at the end of
which time We should expect to find
him prepared to meet his inevita bic
fate. He merely bowed BY way of
reply.


Retiring from the room, we station
ed ourselves near the door, and en-
deavored to prevent reflection by con-
verSation carried on in a low tone.
But it was III vain, every effort was a
failure: and at last, a gloomy silence
fell over us, which none ventured to
disturb. How Morgan passed the time,
| cannot say. Everything was quiet
as the tomb within. As he was chain.
ed and handcufed, he could not move
without our hearing him, and not the
faintest sound fell upon our ears,which
were SO painfully open to everything,
that | verify believe the falling of q
leaf in our midst would have caused
US to start with terror. Most proba.
bly, he INDUCED in that rapid reflection
which is always caused by the Ger
tainty Of the fast approach of death
and his whole life, with its mingled
pictures of good and i'll, passed before
his tervid vision. Perhaps he prayed
not only for himself and his family but
for his murdererS. But | can not
dwell upon the subject, which, even al
this distance Of time, appalls the mem
ory.


The time having expired, We enter
ed the magazine, and found Morgan
ready to receive US. He made nc
remonstrances, nor offered any resist
ance, his demeanor and acts being il
all respects those of a man who has
nerved himself boldly to meet a Ger
tain doom. We bound his hands be
hind him, and placed a gag in hi
mouth. One of our number marched
a few yards in advance, and was fol
lowed by myself and the other asso
ciate, between whom walked Morgan
We each had hold of one Of his arms
above the elbow. A short time brOugh
US to where the boat had been placed
and we all entered it, Morgan bein.
placed in the bow, with myself along
side of him. My comrades took tn


oars, and the boat was rapidly forcet
out into the river. The night wa
pitch dark, and we could scarcely Sc


a yard before US, and Therefore was tn


time admirably adapted to our helliS


purpose. Having arrived at a plac


sufficiently removed from the lane


the rowers ceased from their labor;


and my particular duty now commend


ed. In the bottom of the boat lay


number of heavy weights, all tied tc


gether by strong cord, that had bee


carried through the ring Of eac


weight, so that they formed one mas;


From the center Of the cord by whic


they were united, proceeded anothe


cord, of equal strength, and severf


yards in length. This cord | took i


my hand, and fastened it around tn


body of Morgan, just above his hip.


using all my skill TO make it fast, S


that it would hold. Then, in viii


per, | bade the unhappy man to stan


up, and after momentary hesitation


he complied with my order. He stoo


close to the head of the boat, an


there was just length enough of rop


from his person to the weights to PR


vent any strain, while he was standing


| then requested one of my associate


to assis. me in lifting the weight


from the bottom to the side of I'll


boat, while the other steadied ht


from the stern. This was done, an,


as Morgan was standing with his bac


towards me, and apparently lookin


into the water, l approached him, an
gave him a strong push with both N
hands. which were placed on the mi'


die of his back He fell forward, ca
, rying the weights with him, and tt
waters closed over the mass. We
mained quiet for the space of two (
, three minutes. when my companion
without saying a word, resumed the
places, and rowed the boat to Il
place from which they had taken
We then jumped ashore, and, exchan
2 ing pressures of the hand, separate
!. without a word.