Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1844-03-02
Execution ,prJames Duian.

Friday, the 10Th Feb, between the hours Of
@ aud = was the time designated by the Exc
utve warrant fer the Execution Of James aud
|rigG Doidn convicted last September Term,
,r the murder Of RufuS e. Gcrc, in shOnty
ear Athens, on the last day OF Jrly last. The
iecution of James Dulsn took place at the time
pointed Briget Dolan having been resPited
the Executive, for the Term otsiX months.
Ever since his sentence, he has manifested
trdencd indifference to his approaching fate,
md conversed freely and unconcerncdly about
is execution and 1t vas only as his last mo-
uents drew nigh, iIathe has exhibited sin
Ilefye!ng Of con,rition or repentance.
On aise snUrnng Of the 18th as She last ray
u hope was extingushpd ia his breast, and it
became evident that his hours were numbered,
md the hand OF Executive clcmoncy had not
peen eXtented 10 him, he evidently bc-2arae con-
:erned eb0ut the death he was soon 10 die, and
GaXed the hanghtiness with which he lecked
Ipon his impending fate,
At TO mnutesta - o'ci0ck, he was arrayed
the hebiliments Of the grave. The near ap-
,rJach of the hour Of execution, 'snd the PrcPa
atlons made, had sensible effect upon himS
vt he still conducted himself with torttude ;
moking his pipe and making d remark that
is age was between Is and 46, and asking The
'herih' if this is his frs; execution. The Ca
luic clergy were then introduced into the
.om, and temC;nod f,r haitian hour, and at 10
Guutes to |, the Sher.ttold him the time had
,,ne, tied ms arms, and conducted him to the
.afiold. Duan turned 10 his wife, and while
mixing hands, said to her, "Good-bye Bridget,
on't get drunk any more" He followed the
Sheriff with firm step 10 the galiows, which
te ascended, accompanied by the Sheriff and
Fathers O'Rely and Fitzimmons, Az min
ties TO l, the rope was placed about his neck,
vhen on being asked by the sheriff if he had
anything 10 say Ire spoke to the bystaucers in
substance, as follows :-"My wife knew no.
hing Of the murder of Gere until he was dead
or cf Gere, but not of any other did NOT
III HIM for his money as for his money
now nothing abont it. Once | attempted ,c
lcot my wife, while under the influence of IL
ror, and in a fit IF jealousy. snapped pis
q! ather, bu, il missed fire. have no unkinC
.cings toward any one; the officers have use,
ne like brother"
He was then told he had but five minutes Z
i've. lie offered up his prayers, through th'
iries,s who attended him on the scailud, all'
eemed much Affected Al | o'cluck the ca
vas drawn over his eyes. Sherlh--"One mi
lute more" The time expired; Sheriff Yves
On cut the rope, and the wretched crimlna
lropped about feet. A few involuntary cor
yulsions took place his chest heaved his nee
and hands became livid; he struggled slight
at minutes past l, and remained quietly ur
til 10 minutes past, when the last throb of hi
pulse ceased, and the soul of the unfortunat
murderer had left its earthly tenament, to tr
the realities of the unknown world. lie die
apoplectc, his neck not having been dislc,cc ate
His remains after having ben suspended {
40 minutes, were ..,, down and placed in t
coi'n. .na were taken in charge by some oil
friends and conveyed the next day to frien'
vile for seprlture. bradford Porter.
Did YOU ever know man who did not thi
that he could poke the tie better than J
could ?.