The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-12-09

IS0ngut 10 alenatc tHe isellHRs VI i!ic tisI
people from the support ot an act Of public
Justice, which they, in common with the
people Of the mines, bad beer endoavorlDg
to consummate. This had the effect oi
closing the avenues TO my pardon that
ihe people might have previously been
wiling 10 grant They, however, up T.
ibis time, would have recognized pardon
from the Gov. Of Missouri, or the President
If the United States. Application was
tnada 10 the Governor Of Missouri 70 pr
don him, but he replied that he had no ju
risdc,inn over the country, aud referred
the applicants to the President of the Uni
ted States. President Jackson replied to
an application made to him, tha. The laws
ofthe United States had not been extend
ed over the newly acquired purchase, and
that be had DO authority TO act III the mat
ter; and observed, that as this was an ex-
traordinarv case, be thought the pardoalag
power was invested 10 the power that con
iemned. 4 few days before the cSceu-
ton, rumor got aflaat that a body OF two
hundred irishmen were on their way from
Mineral Point, intending to rescue O'Con
nor on tho day Of execution. Although
his report proved not 10 DO founded IL
truth, i, had the effect Of placing the fate
If O'Connor beyond the pardonlng con
trol Of any power but force. Runners
we're Immediately dispatched 10 the mines
10 summon the people TO arms; and on the
morning Of the 20lh Of JUNG, 1881, one
hundred and sixty-three mon, with loaded
rifles, formed into line on Main street in
front Of the old 'BeH Taran," where they
elected Loring Wheeler Captain oil the
Company, and Ezra Maiden, Woodbury.
Massey, Thomas r. Brasher, John Smith
aud Milo II. Prentice, Marshals o! the day
The Company being formed slz-a-breast'
marched slowly bv cireuitous route Z
he house where O'Connor WAS confined
while the fife breathed in heightened
strains the solemn air Of the Dead March,
accompanied BY the long roll Of the muflieai
drum. The stores, shops and groceries
had closed up their doors, aud lie no long
or manifested itself through the busting
hum Of worldly pursuits. All was silent
as a Sabbath morn, save the mnurnial toll,
INC the village bell Men whispered as
they passed each ether, while every coun
enauce denoted he soennity and import.
ance of the OCCASION. Two steamers had
arrived that morning from Gnicna and
Prairie Du Chen, with passengers to wit
ness the execution. The concourse q
spectators could not have been less than
one thousand persons
The Company having marched TO The
house occupied BY O'Connor. now ownet
by Herman Chadwick, halted and opene'
10 the centre, so as 10 admit into the col
ann the horse and cart containing the col
fin. The horse was driven by William
Adams. who was seated upon the coffin
and was employed as execuiloner lie
had on hiack silk gloves, and black sIlE
handkerchief secured ever and fitted 70 hi'
face bv some adhesive substance, whicE
gave him the appearance oft negro. Ihf
Marshals soon came out OF the house fol
lowed BY O'Connor and the Rev. air
Fnzmaurice. Tns two latter took posi-
ton directly behind the cart, while the
former mounted their horses and rode t1
the front of the column, which now moved
slowly to the smith-shop of Thomas Bra
sher, where the irons were stricken from
.O'Connor BY Henry Beckett. Ourpostion
in the column being in the front rank, tol,
lowing the priest and O'Connor, we were
enabled to observe the bearing Of the lat.
ter. lie seemed to have abandoned all
idea Of being released, and was much dis.
,ressed, wringing bis hands and occasional,
Iy circulating detached parts Of some pray.
er. "Will the Lord forgive me!' he
would frequently ask Of Mr. Fitzmauricer
who would reply, "Whosoever beliaveth in
The Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved, " 70
gether with other like scriptugal expires.
SONS After he returned from the smiths
shop, the Captain ofthe Company desired
him to get into the cart, when tho priest
observed, "No, wish to talk to him; LEI
him walk" Capt. Wheeler replied that
he had orders TO place him in tho cart; but
would 60 and state his request to the Mar
shall. Accordingly he advanced to where
Mr.. Madden was sitting upon his horse
who observed in a louder tone Of voice
NO, if that gentleman wishes to talk with
him, let him ride upon the cart with the
murderer" This was spoken harshy ano
contemporary BY Mr. Madden, who We
learned afterwards, was deeply offended al
some remarks previously made by Mr.
Fi,zmaurice concerning himself, and i'm
prudenily took this opportunity to re,alla,e
which we have reason TO believe he after
wards regretted.
The Captain Of the Company delivered
The message as he received it, though in q
more pleasant tone of voice. Ftzmaurict
bowed respectfully to the message. but
made no reply. O'Connor being now
seated upon the coffin, the column com
menced moving forward, 10 quarter min
ute taps of the drum, and arrived about
twelve o'clock at the gallows, which wa'
erected on the top Of a Mound in the vicin
" of the Court House. The Company
here formed into hollow square, the car
being driven under the arm OF the gallows,
at the TOO, of which the grave was airends
dug The Captain Immediately orderec
tho Company to ground arms, and uncover
Even many ofthe spectators removed theiI
hats, while the priest offered up, in Il cleal
and distinct tone Of voice, tergent anc
lengthy prayer, parts Of which were repeat
ed by O'Connor; who, at the close OF The
tprayer addressed q few remarks 10 iht