The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-08-08
EXECUTION OF CONNER.-BREAK.
ING OF THE ,RoPE.-HoRRfBLE
SCENE.

EXECUTION OF CONNER.-BREAK.
ING OF THE .RoPE.-HORRiBLE
SCENE.
We copy from the Baltimore Patriot an nc.
count of a horrible execution scene, which oc-
Cured in that city on Friday last. Conner, the
unfortunate prisoner, slept soundly throug hout
the night of Thursday, and on Friday morn.
ing psrtook of hearty breakfast, aud seemed
willing TO meet his fate. His mother visited
him on Thursday evening, and his sisters on
Friday morning, when solemn and affection
ate farewell took place. During these trying
scenes Conner is said to have manifested much
feeling and great degree of irmness. About
half past eleven he was conducted to the gal.
lows, repeating, meantime, after his spiritual
advisers, the solemn and impressive ritual OF
the Catholic church. ..
We now come to that portion of our mars
rative which we would omit, did we consult
only our own feelings on the occasion, and
the scena which we were this day compelled
TO witness, in catering for the public press,
we sincerely hope may never be witnessed by
mortal man again. When the drop fell, the
rope broke close to the neck of the unfortu-
nate culprit, and he fell to the ground, a dis
lance of some twenty feet; he was but little
stunned, and almost in a moment recovered
Tho first words he uttered were: "Gentemen,
this ought TO satisfy you all that am not
guilty OF murder in the first degree" The
Rev. MIR. Foley and Father Hickey were quick.
ly by his side, tine former gentleman bathing
his face and head with cool water and pour
ing forth words of consolation to the unfortu
nate youth, who, without any intermssion,
continued TO call out-"Jesus, receive nv
SOUL" "Blessed Mary, mother of Jesus, inter.
cede in my behalf" During the half hour
| which interviewed before the gallows could be
again prepared, Conner continued to utter
short sentences of prayer, and seemed impa-
woul Id battle his temples, he would exclaim-
| 80 let me 90 up there again, for have had a
glimpse of my Jesus"-"May the Lord Jesus
be with my poor mother; know l have bro
| ken her heart, and she will soon de-" On
being told by MIR. Foley that he might meet
his mother in heaven, he exclaimed, "God
grant | may" Again he would break out
with 10 God l have been bad boy,but have
suffered, and hope am forgiven-I hope no
boy will follow my bad example"-and then,
sob, have seen my Jesus; pray MIR. Foley let
me see that sweet face again." His exciama.
tons were quite rational, and he seemed to
suffer but little in consequence of the fall.
At quarter past twelve O'Clock, everything
being prepared, he was conducted to the scat
fold, which he assembled with firm step, and
after again praying, the drop was again let fall,
and all that was mortal of Thomas Conner
was launched into eternity. He died almost
ithout struggle. After hanging about
twenty minutes, the body was taken down,
and life being pronounced extinct, it was put
in handsome mahogany coffin and handed
over TO his afflicted relatives.
1t is proper to say that after the rope broke,
Sheriff Hays Immediately despatched Madison
letters, Esq, in quest of Gov Lower who, ii
was rumored was in the city, with statement
of the facts, together with Corners exclama-
ton concerning his not being guilty OF murder
in the first degree, but MIR. ]. was compelled
to return without meeting the Governor; many
of those present regretted this, as it was
thought that had his Excellency been found,
Communication of punishment might have taken
place.
Where the fault of the horrible scene witt
messed at the Baltimore Jail lies, we are at pre-.
sent unable to say; there seemed, however, to
be but one opinion among those assembled,
even before the condemned was brought out,
and that was that the rope was too frail. Con.
ner, although only about eighteen years ofage,
was of a very powerful frame, weighing near
! ly one hundred and ninety pounds, and those
having the matter in charge should have fore.
seen this and made preparations accordingly.