Year: 1868

a man named Rufus Ludwig was hung
at Salisbury, N. c., June 26, for the mur-
der of his wife, to whom he had been mar
ried but a eleven days; he was convicted on
strong circumstantial evidence. At the
execution about 1900 persons, of all ages
and both sexes and cOlors, were present.
A correspondent says the instant he touch
ed the platform most extraordinary and
exciting scene ensued.. He at once made
wild plunge forward, with the intention
of leaping off the platform on the farther
side, and with the evident purpose of max
ing break and desperate effort to push
his way through the crowd.


He succeeded in throwing his feet and
legs off the platform, but the two officers
having hold of his arms and shoulders held
fast, and, pulling him backward, he fell
with the upper part of his back still on
the platform, his legs and part of his body
projecting over the edge. The platform
was about four and half feet high.
Several of the nearest officers of the guard
at once rushed to the assistance Of the
sheriff, and laid hold of Ludwig's legs, en-
deayoring to shove him backward on the
platform, but the prisoner struggled with
almost superhuman strength. For long
time he uttered no word, but with con-
vulsive and rapid movements of arms and
legs stroye to wrench himself from the
grasp of the eight or ten men who now
had hold of him.


A thrill of horror then ran through the
immense assemblage. Some turned and
fed from the awful spectacle; exclama-
tiOns of excitement and terror broke forth
from others; women and negroes shrieked.
Such scene is not often seen in this
world. And still the struggle went on,
one against ten; and at times almost as if
the despairing wretch would succeed in
freeing himself from the powerful posse
who were holding him. The moose was
two feet above his head as he lay, and
powerful efforts were used to push him up
to it. Meanwhile, the platform grew
rickety, and several were employed in
steadying it. AT the end of more than
five minutes-which seemed, however, to
be three times as long--the sheriff was
about getting the moose over Lpdwig's head,
which he threw quickly from side to side
to avoid it. He then exclaimed that he
would stand up and be quiet if they
would release their hold, but this was ev-
identity said only for the purpose of indGc-
ing them to relax their efforts, for he
showed no sort Of disposition to relax his
own exertions.


The officers persisted in placing the
moose over his head, and as he felt the in
evitable fate now had him, he is said to
have muttered curse, which was over
heard by some of those nearest him. The
moose was at last put on and drawn tight
around his neck. He clutched it convul-
sively, and still used his feet to the ut
most in kicking off those who had hold of
him. 1t took several minutes to pinion
his hands and feet; he meanwhile lying
on his side and choking to death as fast as
possible, for the rope was stretched by his
weight His face was perfectly livid, and
his eyes starting from their sockets, pre-
senting spectacle not easily forgotten;
the sheriff being too busy subduing and
pinioning him to take time to put on the
white cap. by the time his aFms and
legs were tied he had become nlotionless;
the cap was put over his face, and the Of
fcers sprang off and Knocked out the prop.
He soon died by strangulation.