The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-04-03
Execution of a Murderer,

SCENE UNDER THE GALLows-John Fitz.
gerald, who deliberately murdered his own father,
his mother, and his brother some months ago, was
hung at Auburn, New York, on Saturday last du-
ring q snow storm. The Auburn American says
he passed the previous night in profound slumber,
and on Saturday morning dressed himself with
serupulous care. For time before leaving his
cell he laughed heartily at the crowd the outside
who were exposed to the snow storm. The Amer
lean further says: $50 Fs.sz ?
One said to him ~John if the Governor should
come in now and commute your sentence to i'm
prisonment for life would you like it 2" NO sir p
he replied: II would step right out and pull hemp
in preference. l had rather be hung than go to
prison for life !" - ..
doctor present asked him If he had any OBJ
lection to giving up his body to be dissectedG We
were shocked at the inquiry. but he replied with
loud laugh! "No sir I" You would look pretty
cutting up my body 70 5s u 80.
1t was announced to him then that clergyman
wished to see him He replied--'If he comes in
here he'll get my fist-that's all What good can
he do me mo0f don't went him"
An earnest appeal was made to him to forgive
his brother. He repiied-"That he had kind
words only for those who had been kind to him
since he had been in prison. He utterly refused
to forgive his brother! .....s, .i
Said he-"Go ahead You can kill me-thats
oil you can dol Can't you arrange the hanging 80
that can touch 1t OF myself want to die; I'm
tired of Jail life, any way"
The sheriff entered the hall, and said that the
prisoner requested that not q word should be ut
tered after he was brought in and that the sxecu-
ton should proceed in silence. Prior to this he
had knelt down in prayer with the Rev Mr.. Ives,
manifested much emotion, and shed tears Still he
could not forgive his brother, or acknowledge the
horrible atrocity of his crime. ;.'ft. ~
The prisoner entered the corridor arrayed in
gown OF white, which covered him from head to
f,et. He had on q pair of dark panialoons and
gaiter boots. He was placed under the moose amid
profound silence. He was apparently COOL firm,
and bore himself bravely at that dreadful moment.
While deputy was adjusting the rope about his
neck he took umbrage at something that was done,
and exclaimed: Gentlemen, don't torture me;
hang me, If you want to!" And then he added to
some one near him, 'Im pretty hard boy"
lie turned to Mr.. Morgan and asked If chloro.
form could be administered to him The reuly
OF course, was In the negative. He never spoke
again The white cap was drawn over his head
the rope was put around his neck The victim
was ready for the execution. The spectators
stood breathless. His arms were pnioned and
his wrists tied together. He stood firm and un-
moved lie did not quail, even at that awful mo-
ment. We noticed that his fingers twitched a lit
ue, and that he twiredAis thumbs some, but there
was no exclamation, 10 prayer, no sob, no sigh, no
At precisely six minutes past O'Clock, the rome
was cut. and Fitzgerald was twitched with yio
tent jerk, Shout three feet from the floor. The
hoist must have broken his neck He strnopIed
- very little. A few convulsiye movements sbout
the chest were alone visible. In less than six mi.
nutes the physicians declared him dead and after
hanging tue required time he was cut down and
us 0ody gwen over to the charge Of his friends
The heartless reckIessness OF the nrisoner was
preserved almost to the very last moment, and
ms nrnness 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
a few hours of eternity.
SHOCKING OccuRREScE--A correspondent In
'oIms US that on last Thursday night. about 10
O'Clock, man came to Mr.. Oberhatzer's, In War
WICK township, Lancaster county, Penn, knocked
Al ms bed-roonl window, and calling him by his
name, demanded fifty dollars Of money in q hurry,
or ne would set Mr. O.'s house snd barn on ire -
mar. " did not do a. requested, and the barn was
soon AZ In flames. II contained forty-seven head
OF cattle. horses, sheep and hogs Not one head
was saved-Phfld Ledger, ttstfq s4.-.5s.'i +
RAvAoEs OF THE TYPHus FEVER IN TIE
FREkcH HosPITALs.-The Constantinopie CORES.
pondsnt Of the London Times under date of March
"a says that about ten thousand patients are In the
hear ale Ia Sb- x.t.f