Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1850-10-10
The Execution,
from the New Haven Palladium

1uIS FORENOON, at 6leVGu CLOCK, In the
Jail yard, near the public square, the
sentence of the law was executed upon
two prisoners. namely: James Mccall
frey and Henry Leander Foote. Nc
Cafrey was native of Ireland, and con-
victed of the murder of Mrs. Ann Smith,
on East Rock, near this city. Mrs.
Smiths husband was also killed at the
same time, and is supposed by the same
| hand. Foote was a native of Northford,
New Haven county, and was convicted
of the murder of his little neice, Emily
Cooper, a promising child Of about four
teen years of age. upon whom the pris-
oner committed another crime.
The prisoners were both thirty eight
years of age. Both seemed to be peni,
tent, but Mccartney the most SO though
he protested his innocence to the last
They had watchers at their cell doors
during the whole of last night. Foote
sat up till one o'clock this morning, read
ing and talking. He then retired and
slept until six o'clock. Previously, how~
ever, he ate hearty supper sent him
lEOlA tnc 1OutlHCS cttlu SiuOACu o SCS"i
with much apparent satisfaction. His
conversation at this time was very lively
for man in his condition. At one o.
clock having previously paced his cell
awhile without speaking, he suddenly
fell upon his knees and made very fer
vent prayer and lengthy prayer. He then
undressed and retired to bed and imme-
diately fell into sound sleep. While
thus reposing, as we learn from Mr..
Goodwin, one of the watch, Mccartney
was heard fervently praying with his
clergyman, Father O'Reifly, who ap-
peared to question the prisoner in the
most rigid manner. Whether he made
any confession Of the guilt of the murder
to his spiritual adviser, is not known
proably he did not, for Mr.. O'Reilly said
that if he we're guilty the State had a right
to know the facts as well as himself.
At four o'clock, Foote continued to
sleep, and still the voice of prayer was
heard in McCaffrey's cell. At half past
four Foot reused up, asked the hour of
the morning, and Immediately fell to sleep
again. At FIVE o'clock, Foot was sleep
ing and Mccartney praying. About this
time Father O'Reilly remarked to the
watch who appeared at the door. that he
was glad to see Mccartney appear so
penitent and resigned. The prisoner said
he had disease about him which would
destroy his life in few months If the
law did not take it sooner-but he was
as ready to 60 now as he should be at
any future time.
At o o'clock, Foot was awakened by
his watch, when he arose, and remarked,
with much seriousness, that he had slept
his last Sleep" and was dressing him
self for the last time on earth and he
added that she put his trust in Jesus,
and he hoped he would soon be with him
| in heaven"
Soon after 6 o'clock, we entered his
cell, and found there, the Rev. Mr..
Beardsley. of the Episcopal Church. who
has attended him constantly of late
Rev. Mr.. Searles of the I'd Methodist
| Church, Rev. Mr.. Townsend of the Epis-
copal Church, Rev. Mr. Pease, Congre.
galional, and Rev. Mr.. Eddy Of North
Guilford. All these gentlemen were
very faithful in their examination Of the
prisoner. The exercises were closed by
very fervent prayers from the Rev. MIR.
Beardsley. The prayers were chiefly
those in the Episcopal service, which
were designed for prisoners under the
sentence Of death. These, clergymen
were all very much affected.
/ Mr.. O'Reilly with his Assistant the
Rev. Mr.. LAWN, now passed the cell to-
wards McCaffrey's which last they enter
led. Here prayer was continued for
about half an hour, Father O Reilly Lead
ing. until his emotion became too strong
! for his utteranOe, and wiping his stream
eyes, he paused. when Mr.. LAWN con-
Guided the service, The prisoner kneeled
: by his bed, his open hands pressed to-
, gether, and his chin resting upon his
thumbs. His responses appeared to be