Year: 1868

characterized BY any particular event. He was IN.
formed early In the evening that there were no hopes
OF executive i1terlerence. He took the announce.
confidence that he would escape the penalty which
He said he had been in many prisons and
jails, and that It seemed Inappropriate THAI
country. He was then urged by the chaplain to
make full confession OF the crime which he was
long since have explained this tragedy and numer.
GUS other offences he had ever believed that he was
hs sad
been as sure at their hands as 1t now promised
a clean breast Of everything, he answered that he
felt weary and that he possibly might make con-
drew from the cell and the condemned Immediately
fell into sound and quiet slumber.


THE CONFESSION.


Awaking couple OF hours later he was again i'm
pOrtuned to confess his crime. After some delibera-
tion he replied that he would do so, adding that Il
furnished with writing materials he would leave be-
hind him a full and truthful account Of the crime


These being produced ne proceeded to write out
his story which occupied him nearly the whole night
He covered dozen or more pages OF fooscap, and
gave the history and prominent incidents OF the MUIR
der from beginning to end, admitting that ne was
concerned In 1t, and that he was TO have received
$500 for job, but that he received but $780,
would have exposed him II he had not deserted him
at a time when he could have been OF service. He
also implicated others IN conceving and planning
give their names. He also stated towards the close
or his confession that his real name was neither Ward
nor Levgne and that he desired to die as unknown
as he had lived. He acknowledged to have been en-
gagged In other crimes adding that they were chiefly
Committed In New York, and declining to explain
their character In what precise locality they were


Having finished the writing Of his story and de.
lvered the manuscript over to the chaplain he again
reposed for few hours, awakening at about seven
O'Clock and partakng OF hearty breakfast. Shortly
after he waited upon by the Deputy Sherin,
Simpson, who performed the duties Of executioner.
The officer asked him how he felt, and, Tor The trSt
me ng s ms vo p,soh hssy s ne and II was
difficulty that he could restrain himself from tears.
He said that life was sweet and II ut TINS last mo
ment he thought there was chance to escape No
would use the most desperate means TO get away.
He repeated that he had always hoped for escape
through outside assistance but that now he had
given up all hopes, for his friends had deserted him.
He said that he cherished none but the kndeSt feel
ings towards the officer who was to execute him; but
declared emphaticaly that he would die with hatred
towards those who were instrumental In procuring
his conviction as well as those who led him INTO the
crime and then deserted him. The remainder OF the
time up about half-past one, when he was brought
out OF the cell to be put TO death, he spent In COM
pany with the chaplain in converse upon his spiritual
welfare but through the whole he did not manifest
any vesy earnest repentance


THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXECUTION.


AS the hour OF In the afternoon approached the
nIial preparations for the execution were COM
menced The officer told the condemned that in few
moments he must leave his cell for the scaffold. He
then despatched an assistant to neighbOring cell
for the straps with which his arms were to be
piniOned. In unlocking the door the assistant broke
the lock- and as the time prescribed for the execution
was rapidly approaching there was great confusion
ald and !, excitement Some IN. machinists' tools were
and the necessary articles obtained.


THE WALK TO THE GALLOwS.


The prisoner was then waited upon and informed
OF deputies he was then conducted to the scafOld,
which was surrounded by a crowd OF about forty
whom the officers had admitted to witness the exc
cutOn. He walked firmly and steadily, and scanned
sharply those whom he passed. Upon observing the
coffin he turned his head and uttered suppressed
grOan.


When he had ascended the scafrold and been placed
upon the fatal drop he inspected closely every tim
ber without moments loss Of time the execu-
toner proceeded to read the death warrant and
upon finishing it he asked the condemned II he
had anything to say. He replied follows In Q
clear and somewhat eloquent manner:-


THE SPEECH ON THE SCAFFOLD.


Well gentlemen, have during the last twenty-fOu
hours made full confession in writing OF nay par
ticpaton in the crime for which am now to suffer,
and the document is In the hands Of Mr. Butler, the
assert before God and man that what have written
about the crime Is true In every particular: The
crime that was committed In WilstOn participated
In and was there when 1t was committed, but never
struck old Mrs. Grswold nor injured her In any man
ner and feel that am not to die with her blood on
my hands. | participated in the crime SO far a.
knowing Of T. T. and being present when Il was com
murderer This Is all have to say.


THE ExECUTION-FINAL SCENE.


AS he concluded his remarks he made low bow





he was then ready to 60 His arms and legs wero
then pini0ned and during the process, which occu-
pied but a moment, but seemed an hour, he gave
utterance to heavy sghs and groans and it EVIL
dent that the "dying game" spirit which he had
promised to maintain to the last was being rapidly
enaced by emotion. !.
AS the rope was being adjusted around his neck
his eyes seemed to ill with tears, and he bid th0
officers OF the prison good by, one by 0ne he gave
utterance to the most ag0niZing grOans In which
was mingled sOrrOwfnl exclamatOnS OF "Oh, dear;n
"Oh, God, - &c. The black cap then drawn over
his face and the light OF heaven shut out forever.


The prisoner was all the while giving utterance to
the most s0rrOwful and touching cries. Sheriff
Simpson, during momentary hushlng OF his groans
remarked that the hour for executing the sentence
OF death had arrived and In obedience to the nstruc
tions OF his warrant he then proceeded to perform
IL, hoping that God would have mercy on his soul.


The officer then stepped upon the fatal spring, tho
trap gave way and the body OF Ward dropped some
four feet and his soul ushered into eternity He
gave few twitches instant after the fall but evil
IDENTITY suffered pain, 1t ascertained subs0
quently that his neck was broken. After hanging
some thirty minutes the BODY of the condemned
lowered into coffin, and as no friends appeared
to claim 1t measures were taken for It's burial In the
prison graveyard


Thus closed the career OF one who, for his years,
was probably the most intelligent and accomplished
villain ever suspended from the end OF rope. There
s much.curioslty among the people OF Vermont to
the particulars OF his written confession, and con-
siderable satisfaction at the fact OF his duplicating
Potter. The parties whom he indicates concerned
In the crime viii probably all be arrested In few
days.