The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-07-09


of their anxiety and suspense, by cnuy
ing out the judgment which had AHEAD,
been pronounced.
Notwithstanding the great number a.
the funeral, the rooms of the committed
we're ~surrounded BY about 10000 PEG.
pie, Who h;d got an intimation of the
proposed execution, and hurried to the
spot.
The most formidable guard was ar
ranged, which embraced all the arms Of
the committee, consisting of about 5000
stand of muskets and two field pieces
The streets in the immediate viciaity oil
the rooms were cleared by the soldiers
and the bristling b~aycnets that were dis
played in every direction, made The
scene one of great solemnity. One oil
the field pieces was planted so as to com
mand Front street. At about one
O'clock, workmen were seen preparing
the dreaded gallows in front of the com,
mittee room and this preparation drew
together an immense throng.
THE GALLONS.
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 q two sto-
~ grauite building, and a platform was
extended from each of two front win
dows on the second floor, extending
about three feet beyond the line of the
building, aGd provided with a hinge at
the outer liae of the window-sill, tie
extreme end being held up by means Of
a cord attached to the beam, which pro-
jected from tine roof of the building,
and to which the fatal rope was also at
Tackled.
THE APPEARANCE OF THE PRISONERS.
About one o'clock the prisoners were
brought to the windows, i'll view of the
multitude, dressed in their usual ccs-
tune, aud mounted the platform, having
their arms pinioued. They both APP
peared to be firm, aud but little affected
by the dreadful fate that awaited them.
Before placing the rope upon their aeeks
an opportunity was given them to speak
to the people assembled, when Casey
said
Gentlemen, I hope this will be forev-
err engraved on your minds and ON your
hearts. l am no murderer. Let no
man call me u murderer or an assassin.
Let not the community pronounce me a.
murderer. Let not the Alta, the ChrOn-
icle and the Globe, which papers have so
bitterly denounced me; let them not
stigmatize me a murderer in their daily
and weekly papers, nor send my name
to the States as Il murderer, for | never
did murder, nor attempt to commit muir
der. Let 10 editor dare to Islander my
name or memory. Gentlemen, | am no
murderer. My faults are because of
my early education. Where l belonged
1 was taught to fight, AID that to resent
lay own wrong was my province. If
you see a funeral train Tomorrow, let
no one dare to say that there goes the
body of a murderer. This l have done,
but am no murderer When | have de-
parted hence, dare not you nor any of
you call me a murderer, nor send my
to the world as one. | have al
aged mother, and let her not hear ME
q murderer or an assassin. |
have always resent & wrong and have
it low.
Oh! my poor mother, my poor moth
or; Low h,r poor heart will bleed at
thus news. 1t IS her pain l feel now.
This viii wiring her poor heart, but she
will not bcllcye that | ami a murderer.
| lat resented an injury, my poor moth
er. Oh my laothrr, Goa bless you.
Gentlemen, L pardon you, as I hope
God will forgive you, as [ hope he will
Gle Amen GA! my poor
lnoIh"r! Ga God! have mercy upon
Ny Jesus, take care of me-. Oh,
God, with accumulated guilt of q or2J
years, have mercy upon me-aiy poor
At the conclugion Of these remarks
lie seemed 20 grow weak, aud was una,
t. stand without support from those
standing around him. Father Gallagher
By Lis side as his spiritual adviser,
aud costant!y telling him to stop speak
aud pray. lie also offered him tie
which he kissed several times.
When The NOISE was placed about bis
neck he vas deeply affected and nearly
away, and would have fallen off
The scaffoid, buc fer those who support
ed him.
Cora did rot say q word, or desire to
He stood upon tie sca!iold during Ca
speech perfectly %unmoved, and
the rope was put around his neck
re was uuconeerned as before. lie alao
the cross TO his lips often during
rs last moments.
TIL LAST oMENT
At twenty minutes past one O'Clock
being ready to carry out the
Of the 6xecutioners, the signal
Sas given, aud the cords that held up
he outer ends of the scaffolds, or plat
orns, was cut upon the roof of the build
ng, and the doomed men were both
Into eternity, and suspended
between the heaven and the earth.-
Chey we're dropped about six feet aud
apparently without any etrug-
Cling, save a few motions of the lower
limbs. Daring this solemn and awful
ceremony ii perfect stiilness and silence
vas observed by the vast throng who
we're spectators TO the scene. The guards
md many of the citizens whowere near,
uncovered their heads during the ezecu-
ion.
REMOVAL OF TuE BoDIEs.
The bodies were allowed to hang un-
il fifteen minutes past 2 O'Clock, or So
in all, when they were cut down
lad taken into the lower room of the
building, and afterwards handed over to
he Coroner, who will hold an inquest
lpon them. Tue members of the Ores
.ept City Engine Company, No. 10, of