Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-08-09
From the Baltimore Patriot OF Friday.
Execution of demonstrating of the Rope
= Horrible Scene.

In pursuance of the death warrant transmitted
to High Sheriff Hays by Governor Lowe, the un- |
fortunate, but guilty young man ihomas Sonnor,l
convicted of the murder OF Captain Hutchlnsons
of Accomac county, Va, suffered the extreme
nenalty of the law by hanging, this morning
vast concourse of spectators were present to least
their morbid appetite in seeing human being
su fer and it is supposed thatoutsde The l1il VOLS
upwards of thirty thousand persons nau poSleu
themselves while within the enc osure there were
perhaps at least one thousand admitted on tickets
| issuedb the Sheriff, Jallor, and the visitors.
The unfortunate young man whose sad fate hal
thus brought this vast emblage together, rested
we'll last night having retired about IL O'CLOCK,
and silent soundlytlroughout the night; waking at
an early hour this morning, he partook OF hearty
breakfast, and seemed quite Cheerful anu Willing
TO meet his end. His spiritual ADVISER Rev. Mr..
Foley, assisted by Father Hickey were win MN
Mt an early hour and were assiduous in pouring
religious consolation into his ear up to the hour oil
leaving the cell for the gallows. The mother oil
the convict visited him last evening, and took her
final leave of the erring sonln this world. The
scene is described as one that would nave melted
the stoutest heart. EARLY this morning his sisters
visited him, aud after remaining some time, took
soelmn and affectionate farewell During these
trying scenes, Conner is said to have manifested
much feeling, AMI great degree OF trmness.
About IL o'clock, Sheriff Hays, accompanied by
his IDENTITIES, entered the cell ofthe condemned
| and commenced preparing him for the gallows; du-
ring the process of shrouding him, pinionlng his
arms, &C., he had nothing TO say, bul seemed Will
ling and ready 10 meet his fate; he repeated alter
his spiritual advisers the solemn and impressive r-
ual Of the Roman Catholic Church, and at intel
walls called on Jesus to receive his soul alter 1t had
left its erring tenement on earth. The solemn pro-
ceSson left the prisoners cell about hall past eieV-
en- O'Clock and moved with measured tread through
double file of citizens to the loot OF the gallowS,
Connor, the entire distance, being evidently i'll
prayer, and walking with firm and mistaken
step. Onthe platform the rope was adjusted by
Sheriff Hays, assisted by Deputy Sheriff Denson,
and Warden Myers and Deputy Burk; the last re-
Iigious rites were then administered by the reyer-
end gentlemen present, and all took leave OF the
condemned and left the platform.
We now come to that portion of our narrative
which we would omit did we consult our own
feelings on the occasion, and The scene 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 10 the neck oil the untor-
tunate culpTit, and he fell to the ground, dis
lance oil some twenty feet, he but little stun
| and almost in a moment recovered. The first
| words he utt red wzre: Gentleman, this ought TO
satisfy you all that am not gully OF murder III
the first degree The Rev. MIR. Foley and Faith
TT Hickey were quickly by his side, the former
gentleman bathing his face and head with cool
water and pouring forth words oil consolation to
the unfortunate youtt, who, without any inter
mission, continued to call out-'JeSus, receive my
souI,' Blessed Mary, mother Of Jesus lntercede
tervened before the gallowS could again be prepa-
red, Conner continued 10 utter short sentences OF
prayer, and seemed impatient at the delay. AS
1.-THE Rev. Mr.. Foley would battle his temples, he
have had glimpe of Jesus'-'May the Lord esus
be with my poor mother; know have bfoken
her heart, and she will soon de- On being told
by Mr.. Foley that he might meet his mother in
heaven, he exclaimed, God grant may Again
he would break out with-'O God have been n
bad boy, but l have suffered, and hope have been
forgiven-I hope no boy will follow my bad ex-
nmpe'-anG then, ooh, have seen my Jesus;
play Mr.. Foley, let me that sweet face again.
His explanations were quite rational, and he seem
led 10 suffer but little in consequence OF the tall
At quarter past twelve O'Clock, every thing
being prepared, he was again conducted to the
Scafold, which he assembled with firm step, and
after again raging, the drop was again let FALL and
all that was mortal of Thomas Conner was launch
ed into eternity. He died almost without Strug-
lyle. After hanging about twenty minutes, the bo-
Idly was taken down, and life being pronounced ex-
tnct, it was put in q handsome mahogany COLIN
land handed over to his afflicted relatives.
1t is proper to say that after the rope broke,
Sheriff Hays Immediately despatched Madison jeff
lers, Esq, in quest of Gov. Lowe, who 1t Yves ru-
mored wasin the city, with statement OF the
facts, together with ConEor'S exclamation con-
corning his not being guilty of murder III the first
degree, but Mr.. J. was compelled 10 return W TIL
out meeting the Governor; many OF thrSe present
regretted this, as it was thought that had his Elk
cellency been found, Communication of punishment
might have taken place.
Where the fault Of the horrible scene witnessed
to-day at the Baltimore Jail lies, we are at present
unable to say; there seemed, however, to be but
one opinion among those assembled, even before
the condemned was brought out, and that was thai
the rope was too frail. Connor, although only
about eighteen years of age, of very power
full frame, weighing nearly one hundred and ninety
pounds, and those having the matter in charge
should have foreSeen this and made preparations
accordingly,