The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-05-16
VOL. VIII.-N0. 800.
EXECUTION OF A MURDERE2-A
SCENE UNDER THE GALLONS.

| pO~'b SA'DbAs VII htA<O
John Fitzgerald, who deliberately murder.
ed his own father, his mother, and his brother,
some months ago, was hung at Auburn, New
York, OH Saturday last, during snow storm.
The Auburn American says he passed the
previous night in profound slumber, and on
Saturday morning dressed himself with scru-
pulous care. For time before leaving his
cell he laughed heartily at the crowd on the
outside who were exposed to the snow storm.
The American further says:
One said to him: "John If the Governor
should come in now and commute Your sen.
tence TO imprisonment for life, would YOU
like it!" mo sirr' he replied; al would step
right out and pull hemp in preference. had
rather be hung than 60 TO prison fur life"
| a doctor present asked him il he had any
objection TO giving up his body to be dissect.
ed! We were shocked at the inquiry. but he
replied with II loud laugh! "No, sirl You
would look pretty emitting up my body"
! 1t was announced to him then that cer-
gyman wished to soe him. He rrplied-"If
he comes in here he'll get my fist-thai's all!
What good can he do me noic' don't want
him."
An earnest appeal was made to him to for
give his brother. He replied he had
kind words cnly for these who had been kind
to him since he had been in prison." lie ut.
tcrly refused to forgive his brother!--
Said he-"Go ahead You eau kill me
that's all you can do! Can't you arrange the
hanging so that can touch il off myse.f! |
want to die; I'm tired of Jail life, any way"
The sheriff entered the hall, and said Tint
the prisoner requested thatnot word should
be uttered after he was brought in, and that
the execution should proceed in silence
Prior to this he had knet down in prayer
with the Rev. Mr.. Ives, manifested much
emotion, and shed tears. Still he could not
forgive his brother, or acknowledge the hor-
rible atrocity OF his crime.
The prisoner entered The corridor arrayed
iE II gown of white, which covered him from,
head to foot. He had on pair Of dark pan.
falcons and gaiter boots. lie was placed
under the moose amid profound silence. lie
was apparently cool, firm, and bore himself
bravely at that dreadful moment While
deputy WIS adjusting the rope about his neck
he took umbrage ut something that was done,
and exclaimed "Gentlemeu! don't torture
me; hang me, ii you want .o" And then he
added TO some one near him, "Pm pretty
hard boy"
He turned to Mr.. Morgan and asked IL
chIorotorm could be administered to him.
The reply, Of course, was in the negative
He never spoke again. The white cap was
drawn over his head-the rope wns put
around his neck. The victim was ready for
the execution. The spectators stood breath.
less. His arms were pnioned, and his wrists
tied together. He stood firm aud unmoved.
lie did not quail, even at that awful moment.
We noticed that his fingers twitrhed little,
and that he twirled his thumbs, but there was
no exclamation, no prayer, no sob, no sigh,
no repentance.
AT precisely six minutes after O'Clock the
rope was cut and Fitzgerald was tuitched,
with violent jerk, about three feet from the
floor. The hoist must have broken his neck.
Tic struggled very little. a few conyulsive
movements about the chest were alone vsi-
Bile. In less than Six minutes the physicians
declared him dead, and after hanging the re-
quired time he was cut down and his body
given over to the charge of his friends.
The heartless recklessnrss OF the prisoner
was preserved almost until the very last mo-
ment, and his 6rmness never deserted him.
During the morning he danced and sang in
his cell, and no one would have dreamed that
he knew he was within few hours Of
eternity.