The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-05-10


Prison, but within the outside walls, yesterday
afternoon; when he expated upon the gallows the
penalty due for the heinous crime of which he has
been tried and convicted, and which he himself has
from the first admitted; and trust that the speedy
manner in which justice has in this instance been
performed will act as preventive to crime But as
executions have taken place before to-day, and
murderers have notwithstanding committed crimes
with impuniy, do not anticipate any very favor
able result especially as wealthy criminals, with in
fuental friends and relatives to back them. have
succeeded in brow-beating and defeating the ends
OF justice, and IN cases too, when murders have
been committed with less cause, and for more
worldly and infamous motives than actuated the
poor wretch who has just been sent from this
breathing world into the presence of his Maker. TO
receive that after-punishment which he feared and
dreaded SO much more than that which he received
In compliance with the voices Of his fellow men.
who cry tooth for tooth, an eye for an eve. and
blood for blood.
Eager was about thirty-threc years of age. five
feet nine inches in height, stout and square built.
and would weigh about one hundred and fiffv
pounds. His countenance was not unprepossessinp.
He was born in the North Of Ireland, of Protestant
parents, and was always brought up to worship in
that faith. He came to this country when about
twenty years of age and has resided in this citv the
greater part Of the time. Here he married the
woman who has been the cause, innocently or
otherwise, we cannot decide, of his meeting an
ignominious death. She was of incorporate habits,
and he was by no means a temperate man. as he
fell into low and worthless company During the
past year he becames satisfied that Philip Williams
an acquaintance Of himself and WIFE was in the
habit OF having Illicit intercourse with her. and he
determined if such was the case that he would
take some MEANS what he did not care to avenge
himself upon the man that had DESTROYED his peace
OF mind. Williams and his wife were very in
tlmate and he often saw them together, and at last
blinded by rage and jealousy, every movement on
their parts tended to convince him more strongly
that he was right. On the night of the I'd of Deceni-
Der last he went to the house. No 121 Roosevelt street.
where Williams boarded, and went to his door where
ne waited all night believing that his wife had been
and was still in the room Of Williams The next
morning when Williams dressed himself and came
out INTO the entry to go to work, he encountered
Eager, who stabbed him several times in the breast
with knife, one wound penetrating the heart and
causing almost instant death. He was arrested on
the spot in the very act of concentrating his purpose
and acknowledged that he had committed the muir
der, stating in excavation that his wife had been in
the room of Williams the preceding evening, as he
knew by her voice, and that he could not get admit
lance; that he went out and purchased candle and
returned to the door, but was still denied admit
tance-upon which ne went out for a watchman,
but being unable Ito lind one, came back and found
that the candle had been taken inside. He then de-
termined to be revenged and waited in the hall all
night until ne accomplished his purpose He also
ntnated that if he had the life of another person he
,houldldle satisfied His trial commenced upon the
18th of March, in the Court of Oyer and Terminer
before Judge Edmonds and two Aldermen, and he |
every concession from Mr.. Paterson the |
district Attorney, that could Justly be granted-re-
eived fair and impartial trial, and on the 10Th of
March was convicted by the Jury, after an absence
u one hour, with recommendation to mercy, made |
BECAUSE some of the jurors were opposed to capital |
punishment.
On Friday, the 2lst of March, he was sentenced |
y Judge Edmonds to be hung between the hours of |
2 and clock on the 9th of May, and conjured to
.anish all hope of mercy from his mind and prepare
or his dreadful doom.
A bill OF exceptions was prepared by his counsel, |
,ut they were so weak and untenable that he was |
orced to abandon them, and so clear was the mans
yuit, even taking his own confession that Governor
Wright refused to exercise the executive clemcncy
II his behalf
At the time of the sentence Eager complained |
hat It was hard to die for killing his wfe's seducer
tut did not cavi at the Justice Of the law He was an
gnorant man, being unable to either read or write.
Soon after his sentence, he visited by the Rev. A.
lamp, tract missionary, OF the Baptist faith, and
afterwards visited by Mr. Camp and the Rev. r. w.
HAITI OF the Mulberry street Baptist Tabernacle and
by Mr.; Harrss who endeavored to prepare him to
meet his Creator.
penitence for the deed uniformly, and maintained
that he believed his jealousy was well founded and
that his wife false; acknowledges that it was not
sufficient cause to warrant him in taking the life of
fellow creature He attributed all his fatal passion
to rum and bad company. He has repeatedly stated
that the moment after he became conscious Of ha-
wing killed Williams, he regretted it and would have
gwen the world i It had not happened but that until
recently ne endeavOred to steel his heart against
these feelings, knowing what his fate must be-
q few days ago ne expressed desire to see his
wife, and express his forgiveness to her, and on
Tuesday she visited him his cell, and unmoved,
God to do SO likewise. On Wednesday she visited
him again, In company with one or two women and
some other persons, all of them in state of intoxi-
cation. He extended his hand to her, but she re-
upon his face, but subsidized into resigned ex-
preston, and with sigh he said, "God be merci-
fu!" His wife and the party with her behaved brr-
tally, and conducted themselves in SO improper
them from the cell, and when they were gone Eager
said ne didn't want to see his wife again, and she
never after came near him.
AT the request of Eager, Mr. HIATT and Mr.. Camp
VISITED him in his cell on Thursday night and sat
with him, praying and preparing him for the morrow,
until about o'clock, when he expressed desire to
De left alone. When asked by Mr.. HIATT if he was
prepared to die, ne said, Yes isn't the death of
ne body tear, but its what's to come hereafter
eous and Just, and the law of the State is just and
ought to die. feel no disposition to quarrel with
my sentence" When asked by Mr. HIATT, in the
course of the night, if he had not better take little
est and try to sleep, he replied" No, sir; shall
nave rest tomorrow" When asked if he had any
lesirc to have the execution delayed, he said-"No,
am now prepared and ready to 90, and desire
10 delay" After being left alone at O'Clock, he
ell asleep and slept for about two hours, and then
-ose, washed himself and paartook Of some light
God. Several persons visited him in his cell, and to
All he expressed himself that he was perfectly re-
signed and ready to throw himself into the arms Of
his God. The clergymen were with him at an early
hour and remained with him to the last About
o'clock several judges and aldermen, and persons
deputised special shers for the day, the officers
Of police physicians invited to attend the execution
NC began to enter the prison, as well as
number Of persons who forced themselves in with
out any right or title, but were on that account per-
united to enter without any warrant or permit, when
those whose duty called them were obliged to go
deputies were on hand in good season preparing for
the event of the day.
Persons began tofockinto the police Office to crave
prY0lIf tn