“Stop a minute,” said Peace; “Let me hear this.” The chaplain read on, “The Lord have mercy upon us!” to which Peace joined, “Oh God, have mercy upon me; Christ have mercy upon me!”
Marwood was about putting on the white cap, when the little nervous man excitedly turned his head to Marwood, and said: “I want to speak.”
He then addressed the reporters in a clear voice.
Marwood instantly, on the conclusion of the speech, drew the cap over Peace’s head, and finally adjusted the ring, the condemned crying out, “Almighty God, have mercy upon me!” and next ejaculated, “I should like to have a drink.”
The chaplain continued, “In the midst of life we are in death! To whom may we seek for succour but to Thee?”
Peace was trembling, and his hands were being moved nervously, when he vehemently cried out, “Can’t I have a drink? Oh, it’s too tight.”
Marwood quietly remarked, “Keep still; I won’t hurt you a bit.” The chaplain was repeating the words, “I am the Resurrection and the Life,” to which Peace responded, “God bless you—good-bye.”
Marwood stepped back, pulled a string, a bolt was removed, the platform fell, and the wretched murderer was launched into eternity. Marwood had done his work most effectively. The victim never quivered.
The bystanders looked down into the space beneath the scaffold, and then only a few officials were left on duty.
At nine o’clock he was cut down, very little altered in appearance so far as the bloodless face was concerned. The mark of the rope was clearly shown. The body was then conveyed to the deadhouse.