The Trinity journal., 1856-05-31
rxEcrr1oN OF CASEY AND CORA.

mittee 1t had been determined to postpone
the execution of these persons until Friday,
but report of such character as led the
Committee to believe that an attempt to
rescue the prisoners would be made by an
organization, at the time of the funeral when
they thought the rooms would only be par
TALLY guarded gained circulation and it was
finally determined to complete the work, and
relieve themselves of their anxiety and sus-
pense, by carrying out the Judgment which
had already been pronounced.
Notwithstanding the great gathering at
the funeral, the rooms of the Committee
were surrounded by about 10000 people,
who had cot an intimaton Of the proposed
execution. and hurried to the spot.
The most formidable guard was arranged,
which embraced all the arms Of the Com
mittee, consisting of about 5000 stand of
muskets and two field pieces. The streets
in the immediate vicinity of the rooms were
cleared by the soldiers, and the bristling
bayonets that were displayed in every di-
rection, made the scene one Of great solem-
nifty. One Of the field pieces was planted so
as to command Davis street from Sacramen-
to street, and the other 50 as to command
Front street At about one o'clock, work
men were seen preparing the dreaded gal
lows in front of the Committee rooms, and
this drew together an immense throng.
THE GALLOws.
The plan to carry out the execution Of the
death penalty upon the prisoners was very
simple, yet convenient. The rooms Of the
Committee are in a two story granite build
ing, and platform was extended from each
of two. front windows Of the second floor, eX-
tending about three feet beyond the line of
the building and provided with hinge at
the outer line of the wndow-sill, the extreme
end being held yp by means of a cord at
tached to the beam, which projected from
the roof of the building, and to which the
fatal rope was also attached.
THE APPEARANCE OF THE PRISONERS.
About one o'clock the prisoners were
brought to the windows in view of the mul-
titude, dressed in their usual costume and
mounted the platform, having their arms
pinoned. They both appeared to be firm,
and but little affected by the dreadful fate
that awaited them. Before placing the
rope upon their necks an opportunity was
given them tospeak to the people assembled,
when Casey said:
GENTLEMEN--I hope thiswill be forever engrav-
ed on your minds and on your hearts l am no
murderer Let no man call me murderer, or an
/ assassin. Let not the community pronounce me
/ to be murderer Let not the 1Ha, the ChroAide
and the GioJe. which papers have so bitterly de
nounced me let them not stigmatizc me a muir
dcrer in their daily and weekly papers, nor SEND
my name to the States as a murderer for never
! did murder or attempt to commit murder Let
no Editor dare to slander my name or memory
! Gentlemen, am no murderer. My faults arc be-
cause Of my carly education. Where belonged
| was taught to fight, and that to resent my own
wrong, was my province Ii you see funeral
train tomorrow, let no one dare say 'hat there
! goes the body of q murderer. This have done,
bnt am no murderer When have departed
hence. dare not you nor any of you call me Il muir
derer nor send my name to the world as one. !
have aged mother, and let her not hear me
| called murderer or an assassin. nave Always
resented wrong and have done it now.
| Oh my poor mother, my poor mother, my poor
mother; how her heart will bleed at this news
1t is her pain | feel now. This will wiring her
| heart but she will not believe ! am n murderer.
but resented an injury. my poor mother, On,
my mother, God bless you.
Gentlemen, ] pardon you, as ] hope Cod VIII
forgive you, as l hope he will forgive me-Amen.
Oh my poor mother! Oh God heve mercy upon
me- My Jesus, take care Of me. Oh God, with
accumulated guilt of 2S or 20 years, have mercy
upon me-my poor mother!
At the conclusion Of these remarks he
seemed to grow weak, and was unable to
stand without support from those standing
by him. Father Gallagher was by his side
as his spiritual adviser, and constantly tell
ing him to stop speaking and pray. lie also
offered him the cross, which he kissed several
times When the moose was placed about
his neck, he was deeply affected and nearly
tainted away and would have fallen offfrom
the scalfold but for those who supported
him.
Cora did not say word, or desire to-
He stood upon the scatfod during Casey's
speech perfectly unmoyed, and when the
rope was put around his neck he was as un-
concerned as before He also pressed the
cross to his lips often during his last mo-
ments.
THE LAST MOMENT.
At 90 minutes past one o'clock everything
being ready to carry out the designs of the
executioners, the signal was given and the
cord that held up the outer end Of the scaf-
folds, or platforms, was cut upon the root of
the building, and the doomed men were both
launched into eternity, and suspended be-
tween the heavens and the earth They
were dropped about six feet and expired APP
parently without any struggling, save few
motions of the lower limbs During this
solemn and awful ceremony perfect still
ness and silence was observed by the vast
throng who were spectators to the scene
The Guards and many of the citizens who
were near uncovered their heads during the
execution.
REMOVAL OF THE BODIES
The bodies were allowed to hang until l5
minutes past O'Clock, or 50 minutes in all,
when they were cut down and taken into the
lower room of the building, and afterwards
handed over to the Coroner who will hold
an inquest upon them. The members Of
Crescent Fnpiue Co. No. 10. of which he