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An Accomplished English Hangman.
Calcraft, the hangman in England for
manv years, has become superannuated,
and has retired with a pension. He was
a curiously reticent man, and the re-
S orters and others who tried to interview
im never succeeded in getting anything
out of him. He had a habit, however,
of always whispering in the ear of his
victim just before the supreme moment,
and various gloomy stories went about
as to what this last message was. Some
people said it was a curse: “ Down, down
io hell, and say I sent you there! ”
Others pretended that Calcraft always
whispered, “Stand firm! Good news for
you! Your pardon has come, and you
will hear the sheriff read it in a mo
ment !” Others, still, said that Calcraft
was a spiritualist, and that his whispered
farewell message was an injunction to
the victim to visit him that night and
bring him news from the other world.
Another of his habits w T as always to shake
hands with the condemned person at the
moment of whispering in his ear; but it
was observed that his nerves were never
strong after the execution of Margaret
Walter at Newgate, an unhappy women
who was hung for the murder of some
infants consigned to her care. She seized
his hand with so much force that it was
with the utmost difficulty that he disen
gaged himself, and as he hastened to
pull the bolt his face was observed to be
fearfully pale. Calcraft’s successor is a
man named Marwood; and a correspond
ent who traveled with him in a third-
class car a few days ago thus describes
the man:
Marwood carried with him in a black
oilskin wrapper, fastened by a leathern
strap, articles which I afterward discov
erect to bo the implements of his call
ing. Sentence of death on several crim
inals had been carried out that morning,
and Marwood, after performing his dread
es, was returning to his home in
Lincolnshire. In general appearance,
Marwood was not unlike a decent work
ingman, just passing the prime of life,
His shoulders are broad; his chest deep;
his back straight and hard; his arms are
long and sinewy; his hand bony and
powerful, and set upon thick muscular
wrists; and his legs, slightly bowed at
the calves and at the thighs, gave
additional power to the wljole frame,
A casual glance at his countenance
would rather give the idea that
he was a simple, mild disposition;
but a more careful examination discov
ers in it little of pity and much of quiet
self-approval. We had been running a
few minutes when I engaged him in con
versation, which was carried on with
difficulty amid the din of the mail train.
Sometimes, so loud was the noise, he
placed his ears close to my lips to hear
the observations I had to offer. These
were generally applied to himself rather
than to the hornet details of any partic
ular execution in which he had taken
part. So far as I could gather, Mar-
wood, up to within the last four or five
years, led an unenviable life. He car
ried on the business of master shoemaker
in Horncastle and employed several
workmen. He was a well-known local
character and was in his way respected.
It was when the old man (meaning Cal
craft) began to decline that the idea of
becoming a hangman entered his mind.
“ He felt lie could do it,” and irnmedi
ately applied himself to the study of the
hanging frame in order that he might,
by the introduction of improved meth
ods, “ work off” condemned criminals
with dispatch and dexterity. Two or
three jobs came in this way, and acquit
ting himself satisfactorially, he became
an officer of the crown. For long it was
not discovered in Horncastle that he had
entered upon a fresh avocation. Even
his wife was kept in ignorance as to what
his business could be when called away
on her majesty’s service. In answer to
her inquiries he would say, “I’m going
on a little law business, my dear,” and
would tell her when to expect his return.
When the truth did come out nobody
would believe the retiring William Mar
wood, master shoemaker, Churehlane,
Horncastle, could have been equal to
the hanging of his fellows. But (this to
me aside) “ I am always there when I
am wanted; manly, firm, honorable! ”
Of course he was in favor of capital
punishment; the law, person and prop
erty must be respected, and it was^with
strong feelings on these points that he
had taken np his present “ profession.”
Pay was nothing, though he had no
cause of complaint in that respect. It
had been his endeavor—and he thought
he had succeeded—to put those who
c ame under his attentions out of pain as
quick as possible. On one occasion a
murderer, who was hardened to the last,
asked to be “snapped off quickly,” and
he was snapped off quickly, the words
scarcely going out of the culprit’s mouth
when life was extinct. Indeed, he had
brought his system to a state of perfec
tion; he defied any improvements to be
made upon it. There was Heap, the
quack doctor at Liverpool, who had
caused the death of a young woman;
and Hill, at Bristol, who had cut his
wife’s throat—his “ working off” in the
case of these two men might be classed
among the most expeditious and satis
factory of his executions. They were
both heavy men, and each fell without a
muscle quivering. The best Manilla
hemp, he said, formed the rope he used,
and in one end of it he had inserted an
iron ring, so that the noose might slip
freely when the body fell. His sole ob
ject was dispatch, and it was always his
aim to snap the spinal cord. By the
improved system which he had intro
duced, all from the pointing to the final
“cast off,” could be accomplished in less
than three minutes. He never spoke to
the condemned, nor did he ever shake
hands with them unless they wished,
because he considered shaking hands
brought on weakness. He did every
thing “manly, straight and firm; stir
about it.” It was a good “fall,” he
considered, when the noose was drawn so
tight that the neck was compressed three
or four inches. Death was then in
stantaneous.
Tile Fever Tree.
A writer says: Among his other
great public enterprises Garibaldi, the
famous Italian hero, is engaged in plant
ing the Eucalyptus or blue gum tree
about Rome, to prevent the malarial
fever with which tne inhabitants of that
city are afflicted. As this tree is little
known in our country, some account
may not be uninteresting. According to
the best authorities it is an Australian pro
duction, and was first discovered by the
French scientist, La Nillardiere, who
visited Yan Dieman’s Land in 1792. It
was brought into the south of France
about the beginning of the present cen
tury, and noble specimens of it are now
growing in the promenades and public
gardens of Nice, Cannes, Hyeres, and
Algiers. Its medicinal qualities, how
ever, did not bedome known until about
thirty years ago. The Spaniards first
discovered that it was a jireventive of
fever and the colonists of Tasmania used
its leaves for a variety of purposes. It
was not until 1860 its full power became
known, and, as a hygienic measure, it
was introduced in the Spanish realm as
an antisetic. The people of Valentia
were suffering from malarial fever;
Eucaloptus trees were planted about the
city, and a marked improvement in the
healthfulness of the locality followed.
So popular did it become that the trees
had to be guarded, the inhabitants steal
ing the leaves every opportunity they
had, to make decoctions to drink. The
Spaniards named the Eucalyptus the
“ fever tree,” and soon afterwards it was
introduced into Algeria. It next trav
eled to the Cape of Good Hope, Corsica,
Sicily, South America and California.
Garibaldi’s attempt to introduce it into
Rome is not entirely new. Some years
ago a few dozen specimens were planted
about the walls, and although nearly all of
the trees lived but very few of them are
vigorous. After a trial of many years in
Southern France it has failed to become
hardy or suck up and destroy the poison-y
ous vapors of the swamps in wnich it n
was planted. The trappist monks of the
Tre Fontane have recently set out large
plantations of the Eucalyptus trees, and
are tending them with the utmost care.
This may be looked upon as a decisive
experiment. The record of the Euca
lyptus tree as an antisetic and disinfec
tant is excellent. The districts in which
it is indigenous are healthy, and those
into which it has been introduced and
thriven have become healthy. A few
miles from Algiers is a farm which was
once noted for its deadly fevers. Life on
it in summer months was almost impos
sible. In the year 1867 the owner
planted 1,600 Eucalyptus trees, and they
grew nine feet in tnirteen months, ana
not a single case of fever appeared, nor
has there been any fever there since.
TUB NEW REMINGTON.
rilHE NKW REKIMGTON
A 8BWINO MAOHINK
has sprung rapidly into favor >
atpos-osing ‘lie be i combi-’
nation of good quailt'e-. viz:
Light ro. mug Mnoo.h. n.Iso
less, rapid, durable, with per
fect lo.-k s Itch,
It l, a shuttle Machine with
Automatic Drop Feea, Design
beautiful aadcojslrjCiloa the
very best.
Remington No. 1 Machine
for lam ly use, In the third
year of its existence, naa met
with a more tapM increase of
ratio of s tie, man any Ma
chine oo the market.
Remington No. 2 Machine,
for manur'actorlng «n1 family'
use,—leady for delivery only
since June, la's,—for range,
peri-ctloo and Vftrlmv nr
work, is without a rival iu
family or work-shop.
E VRKY araemoe t„ jaliy
wairanted lor live years.
JgJ by one of the mou re
sponsible tompanUs In the
United vtate*.
Fnli satisfaction is gtiaran.
|tee<* In every In.tanca or the
'money win be returned to the
purchaser.
8PEC7IAL TRRns TO
DASH CUSTOMERS.
Active agents wanted in
every, county, and town In
Kentucky and Tennessee.
. Fastest selling machine, and
best term* ever ofleied to
agents, send stamp for cir
culars and special terms.
J, CLARY A CO„ Gen'i. AgU
No. S3 North Summer 8t, t
Nashville, Tenn..
and 258 West Jefferson Si.
Louisvilla, Ky.
A kind gentleman prevented some
boys from stoning a pigeon fastened by
the leg, and extricated it with much
trouble, putting it tenderly into his
bosom. The next day he remarked that
it made a much nicer pie than he ex
pected.
The Heroine of Newport.
Ida Lewis’ latest exploit in pulling out
from Lime Rock light-house in the lower
Newport harbor Thursday, and rescuing
a man from drowning, recalls the earlier
achievements which have given her the
title of “the Grace Darling of America.”
She first came into prominence in 1866,
when on one of the coldest and most blus
tering days ever known in this latitude,
she saved the life of a soldier who had
started for a sail on the harbor in a light
skiff. One day, in thef autumn of 1867,
while a terrible gale was raging, two men
set out to cross the harbor with several
sheep, and in trying to rescue one that
had fallen overboard, came near swamp
ing their boat; seeing their peril from the
window of her father’s light-house, Miss
Lewis went to their aid, and, after land
ing them safely, went back and rescued
the sheep. But her greatest exploit was
performed on the 29th of March, 1869,
when a boat containing two young sol
diers and a boy was struck by a squall on
the harbor and overturned. Though ill
at the time, Ida rushed out of the house,
launched her life-boat, sprang in, with
neither hat on her head nor shoes on her
feet, reached the wreck just in time to
save the two sailors as they were about
loosing their hold from exhaustion, the
boy having meanwhile perished, and
rowed them to the light-house. Miss
Lewis should be among the first to receive
the new decoration to be bestowed by.
congress for herdic-'deeds in saving life.
—Springfield Republican.
An Argument for Religious Tol
erance.—The following is a character
istic incident in the life of Deacon Bollea,
who was an eminent type of tho age in
which he lived, for personal and private
worth, both as a man and Christian.
When the Baptists of Hartford began
to hold public service, an over zealous
member of Dr. strong’s society called
upon him and asked him if he knew that
John Rollcs had started an opposition
meeting.
“ No,” said he, “ when, where?”
“Why, at the old court-house.”
“ Oh yes, I know it,” the doctor care
lessly replied, “but it is not an opposi
tion meeting. They arc Baptists, to be
sure, but they preach the same doctrines
that I do. You had better go and
hear them. “ No, said the man, “ I am
a Presbyterian.”
“ So am I,” rejoined Dr. Strong; “but
that need not prevent us from wishing
them well. You had better go.”
“ No,” said the man with energy, “ I
shan’t go near them. Dr. Strong ain’t
you going to do something about it?”
“What?”
“Stop it, can’t you?”
“My friend,” said the doctor, seri
ously, “John Bolles is a good man, and
will surely go to heaven. If you and I
get there we shall meet him, and we had
better, therefore, cultivate a pleasant
acquaintance with him here.”
Ve would not recommend the frequent
or constant use of any medicine. It is Important to
tako even a good article Judiciously. Parsons’ Pur
gative Pills are sale, prompt and reliable as a lax
ative or catlmrtic.
Base ball is undoubtedly good exer
cise and capital amusement, but It often occasions
bunged eyes, broken skins and blistered hands. Wo
can tell you that In all such cases, if Johnson’s Ano
dyne Liniment is resorted to, it will reduce the
swelling mid stop tho pain.
DR. TUTT’S LIVER PILLS increase tho power of
digestion, excite tiu absorbents to actlou and re
move nil Impurities t orn the system.
Sohenck’s Pulmonic byrun, for tho curs of
Consumption, Coughs and Colds.
The great virtue or this medicine Is that M
ripens the matter and throws It out of the sj sttffif,
purities the blood, and thus ellects a cuie.
eCHKNCK’S "** WBED TOVJO, FOR THE CORK OS’
Dyspepsia, Inliokstion, kto.
The Tonlo pr^du-es a healthy action of the
stomach, creating an appetite, forming chyle and
curing the most obstinate cates or Indigestion.
PCH.JSNCK’fl MANDRAKE PILLS. FOR THU CORK OF
Liver Complaint, utc.
These pills are alterallvo and produce n healthy
action ot the liver without the least danger as
they are free irom calomel a> d yet more effica
cious In restoring a healthy action of the liver
These remedies are a certain euro for coasti nip-
tlon, as the Pulmonic eyrup ripens iho matter
and purlHos the b’ood. Iho Mandrake Pins »ct
upon the liver, create a healthy bile, and remove
all diseases of the llv. r, often a cause or i otmimp-
tlon. The sea Weed ronlc gives tone and sueugtU
to the stomach, mi ke a good dlg-Btlon, anu en
ables the organs to form good blood, and thus cre
ates a healthy dronlstlon of healthy blood. Tho
combined action of these medicine*, as thus ex
plained will cure every case of i onsnmptlon, If
taken In time, and i he use of the medicines perse
vered in. i
Dr. fcchenck Is professionally at his prlnc’pal of
fice, corner elxth and Arch streets.Philadelphia,,
evory M onday’/where • slf letters lor advice must
be addressed. Sehenck’S medicines fo sale by all
Druggists.
dOt. t. Illtt t, ll ,:i,u uu,
WLVER TIPPED
Show for tliolr children, and
thereby loseen their shoo hills
two-thirds.
Also try Wire Quilted Soles.
As the several coatings to tho
Atlantic Cable, so are opalr of
CAULK SCREW WIRE
Boots or Shoes to the feet. A sure
protection from all the elements,
except tiro.
Also try Wire Quilted Soles.
JEW Per cent, profit to Agents. Por-
traits, Ac., drawn ky Machinery.
MU AM jwjg For full particulars nd’rs fimitli-
4£r UV ogruph JlTg Co., SI. Louis, Mo.
E very family wants it.
Sold by agents. Address M. N. Lovell
aev In
, Erie, 1
Cornell’s Pile Ointment. Sold by drug
gists. Win. H. Cornell, Prop’r, St. Louis, Mo.
To cure a horse of bridle-breaking, get
a piece of bed-cord four times the length
of the horse and double it in the middle,
and at the doubled end make a loop,
through which pass the animal’s tail.
Then cross the cord over his back, and
pass both ends through the halter-ring
under his chin and Ue both ends of the
coni to tho trough-ring, through which
the halter-strap plavs, the end of the
halter being attached to a billet of wood.
Should the horse attempt to pull back
the strain will all be on the root of his
tail before the halter-strap will become
tightened, and he will at once step
forward to avoid it. After so fixing him
a few times in the stable he will abandon
any «uch propensity.
Prof. Tyndall now takes the ground
that F»m was an Indian instead of a
negro. Anybody can take any ground
he wants to these days.
W ANTED AGENTS. Sample and Outfit free.
Better than Gold. A. Coulter A Co., Chicago.
dll I) n day nt home. Agents wanted. Outfit A terms
iplfi free. Address True A Co., Augusta, Maine.
$5 to $20 n nt * 10me Samp ! cs "; ort ! 1
free. Stinson A Co., Portland, Maine.
$10s$25Fu!K
8end for Chromo Catalogu
uvpord’s Sons, Boston, Mat
'PRIZE
Stationary Packages, 20c. Doz.
U. O. Bose, Hartford, Ct.
W A lTtrrnn Young Men to learn Telegraphing. Per
il nil J fill manent positions guaranteed. Address
Pacific Telegraph, 151 JIaino street, Memphis, Tenn.
T HIS paper Is printed with Ink made by G. B.
KANE A CO., 121 Dearborn Street. Chicago, and
_ M4 tv VV/• | left 1/tTtI IA/1 IS Dll t-X Ira W
Memphis, Tenn.
A MONTH.—Agents wanted everywhere.
Business honorable and flrst-claae. Par
ticulars sent free. Add:
WORTH A
T-ottls, Bio.
AGENTS WASTED F c?,’At'*
NIGHT SCENES IN THE BIBLE. *
and a magnificent Nv.W BoOK Jimt from Press.
Address f. 11. MoCDRDY <fe ( o.. Cincinnati, Ohio.
/1TITTT1I’ end Morphine habit absolutely and
11 li I 111111 speedily cured. Pnlnlcss; no mibllclty.
11T 111 HI fiend stamp for particulars. Dr. Carl-
UJL 1U1U. ton. 167 Washington St.. Chicago, IU.
Geo. P. Rowell & CoJ
IKCIMHATI DOLLAR WEEKLY STAR.
An independent Family Newspaper., S pages.
4S Columns of Raiding srl rKR lRAp.
■ yAS&aPjS
Address The “SIAB” CO.,