Year: 1876

REMARKABLE sToRY-HOw THE CONDEMNED


MAN IMAGINED THAT HE WAS ExEcUrLD-s


MS SENTENCE COMMITTED.


DETROIT, Mich, Dec. 27, 1875


Had Bclcher, tho Essex county, Ontario murderer
been executed the 2lst OF December, sentenced
It would have been his second execution. If this
assertion reads strangely is capable OF such
PLANTATION will render II perfectly PLAIN


Belcher is a cool man. Ho stained his hands with
human blood only after he had brooded his
wrongs for weeks and weeks, and only after he had
come to tho conclusion that his Life a burden
He scarcely attempted defence when his trial
on. He could have secured Witnesses whose testimony
would have Influenced the jury In his favor more
less, but would not send Tor them. He could havo
madc a statement excusng his crime in measure and
showing that no had been deeply wrongcd, but he
would scarcely speak, When the Judge put tho
black cap and sentenced Belcher TO be hanged the
murderer exhibited less emotion than any other
person in the court 1t was only alter he had
been iron hand and foot and placed the murder
ers cell in the grim Jail Sandwich that he seemed
to realize his situation.


"Its all right; l'll be there when wanted" no
grmly observed, and he talked freely with the
Gus journalists who sought interviews.


BELcuER GIVES Way


There were fow residents OF Essex county who
wanted an execution to take place. The county has
had one for years, and the influence Of the anti
capital punishment people OF Michigan strongly felt
along the border steps taken to
Communication of sentence. Belcher apathetic at
Grst, beng more inclined to put the his
head than 1t from him. There a reaction.
Perhaps the sunshine pouring through the cold
bars and warming the hagstones Of the corridor
warmed his heart at tho same time. He could near
the merry shouts oi the boys they slid down hill
skatod the river below and the musical jingle Of
sleigh bells could not kept out by the massive walls
Bclchcr wanted live. He wrenched at his irons
the strength OF giant, and called out because the
hours and days were flying swiftly He bcsought the
press plead his case; he called for lawyers he remem-
bered that he had witnesses. The strong man broke
down and became child, and every day, and every
hour, outside of his Sleep he thought of the grim gal
lows the fatal moose, and he saw himself dangling in
the air Three days before the repreve came he SAID
he would die game; but he said It With face white
as and every nerve trembling with fear Had he
been taken 10 execution he could not have walked
alone, and he would have sunk down the trap


All Essex county were at last working his favor.
Petitions circulated mass meetings held. and
Irresistible influence brought bear the Gov
ernor General


Bclcher hoped and feared Rcprcves are not so
common in Canada that murderers in tho shadow Of
tho gallows rely thom and keep their courage
up When sheriff and warden and murderer were
counting the hours the reprcve came. Bccher es-
capped the gallows, but the doors OF Kingston 10
close him Tor llic II evening when the news
came and when tho telegram read to him he could
not utter word.


SHOCK THE PRISONER.


An hour before the went down tho Jail was very
quiet. II is always when the shadow OF death
holds the keys Bclcher paced up and down, his face
haggard and worn aud MS eyes wearing such look
never sees outside OF prison walls. Out the
courtyard were at work, not at the gallows but
at some repars BeIcher believed that the scaiTod
IRON which he was to swing was being erected. and
his heart have stood still he hea the hammer
and at work. Leaning against the wall his eyes
looking into vacancy, tho murderer suffered all the
pain that execution could innicl Some Of the
prisoners watching him. They saw him hold out
his hands for the Sheriff to remove the irons They
saw him Knce in prayer. They him arise and look
around as If following the officials to the gallows He
looked up as II surveying the swaying and a
shudder passed over him.


Tho prisoners could read his thoughts plainly as II
he had written them down. In imagination he
mounted the gallows. Ho looked at the moose again
suddenly jerked his head aside the rope had
touched him. Ho bent his hcad as II te have It
passed over and ughtcned about his neck.
When he stood as II waiting for
trap 10 spring, MS lace was no longer pae II was so
lvid and distorted that almost every line OF humanity
crushed out OF sight The trap fell, and with an
awful gasp, shout, OF agony Belcher fell to
the fioor his tongue proirudng, his eyes open and
CLASSY and a froth oozIng from his mouth Il was a
quarter OF hour before he fully rcsuscita,ed,
and h,s first words wero:-


"Oh, God but how the rope cut into my ncck!,


II was another fifteen minutes before the man could
be convinced shat his execution was imaginary. He
had suffered all that hangman's victim suffers, and
in peous tones he cried out while ran down hs
facc:-


"Don't hang me again. oh, my throat Is SO sore!"


He had on woolien shirt, Gtting loosely around the
neck They unbuttoned the collar, turned IL down.
and there was a bright red mark clear around the
throatl


Facts only are stated here and men may theorizc AZ
they feel inclined. That mark did not die away for
thirty hours, and the murderer complained OF swollen
tonslls and sore throat His reprieve came only