The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1852-12-01

4
ted "a the power that condemned. AZ
A few days besnre the execution. a rumo
got ahoat that body Of two hundred irishmel
were on their way from Mineral Point, intend
ing 10 rescue OConnor on the day ofexecut;ol
| although this report proved not to be founded
in truth, it had the effect of placing the fate o
OConnor beyond the paidoninr control of an,
power but force. Runners were immed;atel,
| dispatched to the miners TO summon the poo
pie to arms; and on the morning of,he Path o
juno, 1884, one hundred aud sixty three men
with loaded riffs, formed into line on Main
street in front OF The old "Beu Tasern," where
they elected Loring Wheeler Captain of the
Company and Ezra Madden, Woodbury. Massey
| Thomas R. Brasher, John Smith aud Milo Ii
Prentice, Marshals Of the day. The company
being formed six breast, marched slowly by
a circutous route to the house where O'Connor
was confined, Will the brea'hed in lenAt
ened strains the solemn air OF the Dead March,
accompanied by The long roll ef the muffled
drum. The sores, shops and groceries had
closed up their doors, and life no longer mani
tested itself through the busting hum of world
ly pursuits. All was silent as Sabath morn,
save he mournful tollng of the village bell
Men whispered rs they passed each other, while
every countenance denoted the solemnity and
Importance OF the occasion Two steamers had
arrived this morning from Galena and Prairie
Du Chen, with passengers to witness the exc
cution. The ncourse of spectators could
not have been less thaa one thousand persons.
The Company having marched; to the house
occupied by O Conner, now owned by Her
man Chadwick halted and opened in the centre
so as to admit into the column the horse and
cart containing the coffin. The horse was Dirt
ven by William Adams, who was seated upon
the coffin, and was employed execu,ioner
lie had on black silk gloves, and black silk
handkerchief secured over and fitted to his face
by some adhesive substance, which give him
the appearance of negro. The Marshals soon
came out Of the house, followed by o. Conner
and the Rev. Mr.. Fi,zmaur;ce The two latter
took position directly behind the cart, while
the former mounted their horses and rode to the
front If the column, which now moved slowly
TO the smith shop OF Thomas Brasner, where the
irons we've stricken from o Conner by Henry
Beckett. Our position in the column being in
the front rank following the priest and o Con-
nor, we were enabled to observe the bearing of
the latter He seemed to have abandoned all
idea of being released, and was much distressed
wrnging his hands & occasionally calculating
detached p,.ts of some prayer. "Will the Lord
forgive me'' he would frequently ask of Mr.
Filzmaurice, who would reply, whatsoever
heleiveth in me theL riJesusChris shall e ga
ved,s together with other like scriptual express
sions. After he returned from the smiths shop
the Cap ain of the company desired him to
get into the cart when the priest observed, "
No, wish 10 talk to him let him walk" Capt.
Wheeler replied that he had orders to place him
in the cart but would go ard state hrs re-
qnest to the Marshall. Accordingly he advan-
ced to where Mr.. Madden was sitting upon
his horse, who observed in loud tone of voice
No, If that gentleman wishes to talk with him
AZ, In o,rda Il
This was spoken harshly and con'empuosly by
Mr.; Maddea who we learned afterwards, was
deeply offended at some remarks previously
made by Mr. Fi,zmaarice concerning himself
and imprudently took this opportunity to retail
late which We have reason to believe he after
wards regretted
The Captain of the Company delivered the
message as he received it, though in a more
pleasa MT tone of voice. Fitzmaurice bowed res
pee fully to The message, but made no reply.
. Common being now seated upon the coffin, the
column commenced moving forward, to quar-
ter minute taps of the drum, and arrived about
twelve o'clock at the gallows, which was erec-
ted on the top of Mound in the vicinity of tie
Court House. The company here formed
in hollow square, the cart being driven under
The aims Of the gallows, at the foot (Which the
grave was already dug. The Captain imme di
uncover. Even many of the spectators removed
their hats, while the priest offered up, in clear
and distinct tone of voice, a fervent and lengthy
prayer, parts of which were repeated by o Con
nor; who at The close of he prayer addressed a
Few remarks to The people, saying that no had
killed o keafr, TINT he was sorry for II, and he
hoped that all would forgive him. Then paus
ing for moment, he observed. 81 wish Mr..
Gratiot TO have my here he was interrupted
by the priest, who observed, .D, rot mind yonr
worldly aff,irs; in a few minutes you will be
launched Into eternity; give your thoughts 10
your God" The hangman now spoke to o.
Common and assisted him to re-aseend the Cart, |
when he adjusted around his persol white
;hroud then securing him at the elbows, he
rev the cap over his face, fixed the noos.
around his neck, and lastly, he removed his lie. |
IF wood then deccnded fron the cart and laid
lold ofthe birdie of his hcrse and waited for |
he signal, which was given by one of the Mar |
,has who advanced into the open era, where he |
stood with awatch in On one hand and ker
:hief at arms length an the other. As he hand
IF the watch came around to the moment, the |
kerchef fell and the cart started There was a
conclusive juggling If the limbs fer moment
allowed by tremulous shu9dering OF the body
md life WINS extinct, The body hung about
hirty MINUTES, when Dr.. Andres stepped for
yard. felt Of his pulse, and said. ale is dead
The body was then cut down and placed in the
ufiin, together with his leg of wood, and depo
ted i'd the grave. The Company now march
a in single file to the front Of Bell Tavern,
where a collection taken up to deftay the
expenses, when the Company d.s5anded.
immediately after this, many of the reckless
Ind abandoned outlaws, who has congregated al
he Dubuque Hines, began to leave for SUMMER
;Iimes The CLEAN of the bowie knife was no
onger seenln the nightly brawls of the street,
Tor dripped upon the sidewalk The gore o.: man;
,ut the people began TO feed more secure in the |
njuvment of life and property.