The Kenosha Telegraph

A Ghastly Execution.

One of the most bungling and revolting executions on record was that of the hanging of the two negroes, Jarvis and Jackson, at Hempstead, near New York city, on Friday of last week. The account of the sickening affair, as reported by telegraph, relates that at 11:26 the weight was released, and both bodies sprang up into the air, but only for an instant was one suspended, and in the next moment was witnessed an inexpressibly horrible sight. The body of Jackson was drawn up quickly, and his struggles of agony began, but Jarvis' body had risen perhaps a foot when the rope broke, and he struck the platform squarely on his feet, completely paralyzed by terror, and undoubtedly terribly hurt by the jerk of the noose on his neck. There was a pause of shuddering silence all over the yard, and the half-lifeless form swayed forward and would have fallen but for the intervention of the Sheriff's arm. For three minutes, while the rope was being repaired, Jarvis hung limp and motionless upon the arms of the officers. Sheriff Sammis says that he did not utter a word, but others say that he begged in a broken voice, "For God's sake, don't murder me." The knot was loosened around his neck, but the black cap was not drawn up lest he should be convulsed by the sight of his companion, who was struggling with his legs drawn up and his hands clenched by his side. Then a young man on a ladder ran the cord down, and it was about to be refastened when it slipped and with a grating, rasping noise slipped over the joists. Another minute of frightful suspense intervened, during which officers and citizens were muttering "Horrible! Horrible!" and the rope was again slid down through the beam. This time it was fastened, pulled taut against the wretch's neck, who was still able to keep his feet, and then he was slowly pulled up, hand over hand, the requisite distance, and allowed to strangle to death. His second hanging occurred at 11:30, and his pulse ceased to beat at 11:42, after writhings sickening to behold, the body swinging round and round, and shivering and trembling as if touched by a galvanic battery.