I must say, I'm tickled to see the response to the OP, especially so to realize Knute is also an Illinoisan.

Charlie was widely reported to be in affable spirits and joking.  IIRC, he was the last publicly executed in the state.  My wife is a retired V.A. nurse who did home visits for veterans when they got down enough that going to the VA was too hard for them. 

One of her last patients was a gentleman from Benton who witnessed the hanging as a boy.  TBQH, it still troubled him all these years later.

If anyone else is interested, there is a fine book called "Bloody Williamson" that gives some very good reading.

  I would also note that Williamson, Jackson, and Perry citizens contributed to a company of men who fought as a recognized Illinois force for the South during the War of Northern Agression.  I cannot lay hands on the book at the moment and am unable to recall the title, my apologies.