The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-09-11

ped back, pulled the lever add tho phsOuor fell
sight tsemOr and . few faint commissions ended the
Life Of Robert a. Robertson
After banging thirty I've minutes. the body was
low cred into the oofu and delivered to his friends
The harsh mandates Of tho law, and the execution
thereof was performed by the 6heriR with all the
kindness and attention to the prisoner that could DO
shOwn.
The utmost quiet and good order was observed BY
the people assembled.
DANIEL T. WOODWARD IN WASHINGTON CITY.
[Proa the Evening Star, Sspt al
At Ave minutes past eleven o'clock Woodward,
yard. Rev. Messrs- Cox and scrivener, Marshal,
two Deputy Aarhsls. jaier physician Of the jail,
Colonel Thompson and the brother Of Woodward.
When Woodward reached the steps of the gallows
he stepped forward and quickly assembled, as one
would naturally run up stairs In a hurry. He went
to the frtber corner Of the gaows. followed by the
Rev. j. G. Smith and the other gentlemen Helook.
ed at the trap, and then, with perfect composure,
stepped upon it, stood up next to the rope to how
far be woli ia |; that indicated that he would fall
about three feet. And then stepping back, he said
to Marshal Hoover. 81 think the fall is too great"
He also tired the strength Of the trap. drink of
water was then handed to him at his request, which
he raised to his mouth with his pnioned arm. As he
coul not raise it high enough Mr.. Smith guided it.
Not drinking freely he asked Mr. Smith to raise tho
tnmbler higher, SO that he could drink more conve-
niently.
Mr. Smith then made a very effective PRAYER.
during the delivery Of which he seemed to listen
without being the least affected. In Heed, no one
from his appearance would have supposed that he
was just about to be launched into eternity; but on
the contrary, preparing for feast.
After the prayer he shook hands with Col Thomp-
son. Rev. John q. Smith, Rev. Messrs. Cox aud
Scrivener.
ting his feet upon it, he said to Mr.. Hoover" Must
my feet be tied according to law?" Mr.. Hoover re-
Piled that it should be just as he chose, that the
law did not require it. He then called DR.. Semmes,
feet tied. The doctor replied that he thought he
would He then stood up in the centre Of the trap,
with his face towards the west, while Mr.. Wright,
the jailer, tied his feet with cord.
The cap was then put upon his head, and the rope
was adjusted with the knot on the left side by the
Marshal. lie raised the cap and called for glass
Of water. Those below thought he was going to
speak, but it was not so. After a remark with Mr..
Smith. he bid farewell to all on the stand, all OF
whom on that place LEFT, except Mr. Hoover. the
in prayer with his face to the north and after pray
ing short time silently he called Mr.. Smith to him.
aid then engaged in prayer short time longer,
still retaining The kneeling posture He then rose
aud the cap was pulled down upon his face by the
Manhal.
He commenced again silent prayer, with his face
still TO the north Mr. Smith standing near and Mar
shall Hoover with his foot upon the spring, waiting
in prayer, during which he could be moving his
lips, he (Woodward) gave the signal by throW ing
the white handkerchief, as previously agreed GU.
Marshal Hoover then touched the spring, and Wood
After be fell he raised his hand once, and his feet
several times; and in three minutes he seemed to be
dead
After hanging twenty minutes the physician exs.
mined him to see If he was dead, and In thirty
minutes he was lowered do IN into his coffin. He
was again examined in . sitting posture, when his
neck was found to be broken. His body was then
deprived Of the black shroud, and laid carefully in
Tho hnonf fv1 1prtf Tho Of Oh,
carefully screwed down.
The body to be delivered to his brother instead
of being retained by the physician Of the jail as he
could have done, and will be put In vault in George
town.
All in the yard witnessing the execution we're
struck with the wonderful self possession Of the cri-
miDal and remarked that Woodward acted with as
much firmness and c0mpOsure as though he was
preparing for any ordinary transaction in life.
Great excitement was exhibited outside the walls
Of the jail. Many persons of both sexes were pre-
sent, but ladies predominated. Men, women and
children were, however, seen hurrying away from the
crowd after the execution was over. The sentence
OF the community Is that it was rgbtul execution
the murder of his wife being 30 clearly proven that
the Presidents benevolent wish could not be carried
and the law There Is no truth in the report Of an
attempt to poison himself this morning. Some other
reports arc equally falacious and the above may be
regarded rs the true report.
ODONO0HUE 4 CORTLAND.
From the Cort.nd County WINS, SEPT q
ODon0ghue, we learn, retired to his couch at an
early hour, and slept remarkably well through the
whole night. Early this morning the Sheriff On
whiting his cell found him ia the attitude Of prayer.
At SIX O'Clock we were permitted, through the pc.
likeness Of the Sheriff, to attend the ceremony Of
celebrating mass in the presence of the prisoner.
The ceremony was performed by Rev. Father Cal
lean Of Oxford assisted BY another pr sst from Os
to work seriously upon the mind Of O'D0noghue,
causing him to weep almost constantly. He seems
very peniteIt, and says he IL prepared to meet his
fate.
At eleven o'clock, A. M, the unhappy man pro-
ceeoed to enrobe himself assisted by Father Callean
and the Sheriff. From glance at the prisoner, we
thought he appeared more excited than during mass
this morning.
o'clock, commanded BY Col. Legg.
After being enrobed, q religious ceremony was
performed in the CELL during which time the prison
er WAS calm, and expressed himself prepared to
At twenty minutes past twelve, the prisoner ap-
peared in the room prepared for execution, accom-.
panied by the Sheriff, under Sheriff. two constables
and the clergy, and after confession, took his seat
beneath the rope. He was very pale, but unusually
calm.
The room, at this time, was filed with the 70
qusite number of witnesses and police In all, num-
ss H Of his nd
said -" forgive the whole world, hope the
priests will pray for me-"
At twenty-five minutes past twelve the Sheriff
proceeded to place the rope around his neck and adj
Just his cap at this time he was much affected.
At twenty-seven minutes past twelve, the drop
was touched. His commissions were very strong and
continued about five minutes.
After hanging about fifteen minutes, Drs. Patter-
son and Goodyear, examining physicians pro
nounced him dead. Thus ended the unhappy
career Of O'DOnoghue.
The jail was guarded by the Virgil Guards, Capt.
+. F. Gould; Spaford Guards, Capt Henderson;
Tr,xtoD Light Guards, Capt. Pierce. The military
made fne appearance, and their soderlike deport-
ment rejected much credit upon themselves.
There was an immense crowd Of people outside
the jail, all anxious TO get sight OF the prisoner
In the crowd we noticed large number Of women,
whose curiosity was as much excited as the mems
Good order however was maintained during the exc
cution aud the preceding services.
O'DOnoghue was born In the province Of Munster,
Ireland and sc years old; he came to this ooun
try thirty years ago, and has been resident of
Cortland county twenty-five years. lie has formerly
stated that bis real name was O'Neal and that he