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The
Hanging Of Thomas Thorp
Dayton (Ohio) Daily Empire., May 10, 1865 More Hanging. Thomas J. Thorp was
hung in the yard of the Gratiot street prison, St. Louis, on Monday last.
The St, Louis Democrat says
Ihe execution was witnessed by a number of spectators, but owing to the
secrecy in which the affair
was kept, only two or three reporters were present.
After hearing the
sentence read, Thorp waa asked if he had any thing to say. He replied,
"Nothing, except that I am
accused unjustly. I never took a man's life. I never have been a guerrilla
or bushwhacker. I never shot
any man with gun or pistol in my life. I surrendered and took the oath,
giving a bond for $1,000, and
if I ever violated that oath or bond, I did not know it. I belonged to Freeman's regiment, and
afterward lo McBride's. On the 29th of October, 1863, I surrendered to Major Wilson, at Pilot
Knob. I went from there to Oregon Connty, where I was arrested in
March, 1864. That is all I
have to say."
When the rope was
placed around his neck, he said, "I hope lo meet you all in heaven. I feel
that I am going there I die
happy. I feel that I am going--- " and before the sentence was concluded,
the drop fell, and he waa launched into eternity. He left the following
letter, directed to his wife Sarah Thorp, care of Rebecca Thomas, Pilot Knob, Missouri
:
"Being a member of
the Catholic church eight months, I want you to give tha children
schooling, if you possibly
can. It is my request that they be baptized by a priest. I have hopes that
I am going to rest, and want
you to meet me there. Tell my brothers and sisters good-by for
me.
"Note: The name is spelled both Throp
and Thorp in the article, but it is Thorpe in the Military
Records. |
Provost Marshal Records Summaries
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Thorp, Thomas Chariton Robert T. Prewitt asks Thorp's release because he is in bad health and wishes to take the oath; formerly resided in Howard County; was of good character until engaging in rebellion; taken prisoner at Pea Ridge 06-11-1862 F1164 Thorp, Thomas J. Saline Marshall Oath sworn at Pine Bluff, Arkansas; physical description: age 38, black eyes, black hair, 5' 10", farmer, rank private in Woods Regiment 04-22-1865 F1164 Thorpe, Thomas J. Oregon Acknowledgment of Special Orders 243 suspending Thorpe's execution 09-02-1864 F1164 Thorpe, Thomas J. Oregon Inquiry from Alton Prison to hospital to determine if Thorpe can soon be transported to St. Louis; notation: can be removed if taken on a litter 02-27-1865 F1164 Thorpe, Thomas J. Oregon Mostly illegible letter reporting Thorpe's execution; he died instantly, his neck broken by the fall, and declared dead 05-??-1865 F1164 Thorpe, Thomas J. Oregon Notice that Thorpe sent to Alton with lot of prisoners of war 12-03-1864 F1164 Thorpe, Thomas J. Oregon Notice that Thorpe, sentenced to be hung the next day, had not arrived at Gratiot St. Prison 02-16-186? F1164 Thorpe, Thomas J. Oregon Request that Thorpe be taken from Gratiot Prison to Pilot Knob to be executed on 2 Sept 08-23-1864 F1164 Thorpe, Thomas J. Oregon Request to Alton Prison to notify Col. Baker of Thorpe's recovery 02-16-1865 F1164 Thorpe, Thomas J. Oregon Special Orders 46-2 postponing Thorpe's execution until 24 Feb due to his illness 02-16-1865 F1164 Thorpe, Thomas J. Oregon Special Orders 54-4 ordering the postponement of Thorpe's execution until 3 Mar due to his illness 02-24-1865 F1164 Thorpe, Thomas J. Oregon Special Orders No. 243-12 suspending the execution of Thorpe until further orders, by command of Rosecrans; sentence announced in Special Orders 216 09-02-1864 F1164 Thorpe, Thomas J. Oregon Telegram from St. Louis inquiring whether health of prisoner Thomas Thorpe would permit him to be brought to St. Louis for execution the following day 02-23-1865 F1164 Thorpe, Thomas J. Oregon Transmittal of Special Orders 243-12 suspending execution of Thorpe, a citizen 09-02-1864 F1164 |
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