Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1856-02-27
Corriran Couvio.ed.


der of his wife, which has engaged the Court of
Oyer and Terminer of Westmoreland county. for
nine days past, resulted, on Friday, in the con-
vction of the prisoner, of murder in the first de-
gree. Saturday morning he brought into
Court and sentenced to death. The time for exc
cution will be fixed by the Governor.
After overruling the motion for new trial
Judge Burlington continued:
Hugh Corrigan-You have been found guilty,
by jury of your country, of murder IN the first
degree. Have you any thing to say before the
sentence of the law. is passed upon you2
PRISONERS REMARKS.
Prisoner" Well, don't know. sir. On that
occasion / think I was convicted unjusty.
thought / was going to be tried by a Court of
common law of Pennsylvania, and don't see
why it shouldn't be done So. j thought there
inquisition in Westmoreland county. /
never knew anything to deprive of talking
my sentiments to my attorneys even to eternity.
l thought there was no gag-law here. | thought
it something very strange-in this sort of way.
1t was several persons telling the attorneys what
to prove to convict me, ON this occasion-but
Cooking over to that part of the bar occupied by
the Commonwealth,) ,)they are not here to-day
. only feel one or two reasons. | wouldn't
believe Bob Stt.'s evidence. If he's right Tn
wrong and If Pm right he's wrong. He proved
a matter entirely wrong. We'll, suppose its my
business TO make no objection 10 it. if you are the
law and the Judge. 1t would show for itself, that
he swore to what was wrong. Would any one Of
common sense say, if wanted to kin this woman,
(pointing to spectator, would go to tell anoth-
erl | had the ability myself to keep it within my
own bounds. My character is too well known,
here, for that.
s. didn't want to come here to-day-on my
honor, gentlemen. | was suffering for Sam
Black yesterday, and for Mr.. Drum to-day. If
you are an Inquisition Judge want to know it
and why didn't you let Sam Block speak after
my friend Mr.. Cowan2 Why didn't you give a
man fair play Why didn't you let him explain
it Sam Black told me it was common law, and
you made it than common law. was sor-
ry for Mr.. Drum, that you wouldn't let him talk
as long as he wan ted to talk. ] don't care about
any man here. ! didn't come here for humanity
You saw how j came. l don't understand-and
care less. i don't anything about it,"
The prisoner here sat down. The Sheriff direc-
ted him to stand up. when he said, q What is
| there more yet? Well, l don't care anything
about itI''
The Court then proceeded
1t is several months since you committed the
offence for which you are about to suffer. You
have had ample time to make any preparations
necessary for your defence. You have had pro-
cess of the law to compel the attendance OF wit
nesses. You had, and exercised the right OF cha-
lenge. till you got jury to your satisfaction, and
you have been laboriously, ably and eloquently
defended by very distinguished counsel. Not
withstanding all this, your guilt was too manifest
to admit of a doubt. The memorable facts. stem
fate coied themselves around you, from which
there is no escape.
Since the commission Of the crime. the conscious
ness of the guilt has doubt agonized your soul,
and | will not increase That agony by dwelling up
the dreadful deeds of blood. Your situation is a
pitiable one, not much better than the condition
Of your wife when screaming for mercy beneath
your uplifted nlurderous hand. No pity was ex-
tended TO her-no time for repentance and prepa-
ration-no time to relieve her soul by prayer and
communion with her Maker.-She was hurled
with all her sins about her into the presence OF
her eternal Judge and that by the ruthless hand OF
her own husband. Your situation is different
you have had several months to prepare for your
fall and you still have few weeks left. 1t-is de
voutly to be hoped that you will improve them
| proftablyto your relief in this world and your
happiness in the world to c0ne--l'rostrate your-
self in sackcloth and ashes at the foot Of the cross
of Christ and you yet not SO far gone, but
! that great Physician of souls You.
| I beg you, hope for nothing in this world. Ii
will be delusive-deceptive. Your guilt is toe
manifest. your crime too grevieus, to hope fir ex-
ecutiive mercy. If you place your reliance there
you will find perhaps, when it is late that the
gates of human relief are closed against you.
This court deeply sympathizes with you've
pity You from the bottom of cur learts but our
sympathies can not save you, and as ministers o
| Justice we hound to pronounce the awful SEN
/ tence of the law, which we now do:
| THE SENTENCE.
"It is the sentence of the Court that you, Hugh
! Corriean, be taken from hence to the prison
whence you came-and that you be taken from
thence to the place of execution, within the walls
or yard OF the jail of Westmoi elanc county-and
that you he there Cat such time shall be appor.
| ted by the warrant of the Governor of PenusylvG.
MIA y be HAxGED BY THE NICK UNTIL You ARR
DEADl And may God Almighty have mercy OF
| your soul!"
The prisoner exhibitesfthe most perfect indfcr
| ence during the whole proceedings.