The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1858-09-08
s--ftdtnt Nc Wheeling InieIliecneer, SEP. {.
EXECUTION OF JOHN BURNS
FOR THE MURDEEo
MARY ANN M0XT0NY.
Particulars Concerning the Murder
Facts aud Incidents before
umA since the Trial.


Facts aud Incidents before
ana since the Trial.
On the 25th day Of May last, the murdered
body Of Mary Ann Montoay,a coarteSan, was
found upon the hill above the city, in the viciui.
ty Of what IS known as Jonathau's Gut. Marks
Of Amost demonical violence we're visible upon
her person, She was first discovered by Soae
boys HhK whom the fact was reported in the
city. At Grst there seemed no clue to the e,ul
deed--but in few hours il began to be Iguitcd
about that certain company of vagrant ret-
sons, in the habit offrcQueuting this hill, hid
been seen there the day before. On the strength
oftliese rumors, warrants were issued by AT
derman Hamilton, for the arrest Of John Burns,
Oscar Myres, Polk Chalk. John Rodenbau.h
John Farley, John Smith and Mary Smith
They were severally examined before Alderman
Hamilton, but there was nothingof definite or
perfectly satisfactory nature elected Enough
however was brought out to asten suspicion vet
more deeply upon this party ofpers ms, and
they were accordingly one and all committed to
jail by the Alderman, to await an examination
before the County Court The County Court
was in session in the following week and they
were brought forth for examination. On this
examination Mary Smith, the leading witness,
testified directly to the perpetration of the
crime by John Burns. 1t will be remembered
that she denied any knowledge oft at the trial
before the Alderman. Her testimony as di-
rect and explict-giyen in a manner SO earnest,
open and satisfactory as to leave no doubt in
the minds of the Court as to the truth of what
she said. Her testimony was corroborated past
a reasonable doubt, by the evidence of Oscar
Myres, Polk Chalk and Farley, who all testifi-
ed to the fact Of Burns having struck the wo-
man.
e. Alter their examination they were recommt-
ted for trial before the Circuit Court In few
days they were accordingly brought before this
Court, where pretty much the same evidence in
every particular was adduced with the same e.
feet upon the minds OF all auditors; viz: that
John Burns was, without doubt, the murderer,
in deliberate malice, of Mary Montony. The
only new featured elected at the trial before the
Circuit Court, was the evidence of the father of
John Burns, who was unfortunately for him
self, brought upon the stand. His evidence was
seen at once to be so irrational, contradictory
and every way so NAL appropos as to be almos
summarIly dismissed from credibility in the
minds Of all who heard it. 1t was painfully ev-
ilent that It was the dire resort of the sorrow
stricken and desperate heart ofa father to save his
child It will be remembered that in the sen
tence Of the Court, it was forcibly reverted to as
being both painful and heinous After a long
and careful and impartial hearing and defence
before jury of twelve respectable and intelli
gent citizens, it was their unanimous verdict that
John Burns was guilty Of murder in the first
degree. On the rendition ofthe verdict the
prisoner did not seem particularly effected but
rather maintained stolid and unappreciatiye in
difference as to the hopeless and appalling fate
to which it consigned him. On the following
Monday after the trial he was brought into
Court for sentence. Before passing sentence
one Ofhis counsel nterposed in corcible speech
in his behalf citing the peculiar nature of the
time and circumstances Of the deed as tending
to raise doubt of murder in the first degree and
as reasons why new trial ought to be granted.
These objections were reviewed and overruled
by the Court, after which John Burns was or
dered to stand up and receive his sentence The
Court House was densely packed with people |
among them was the father ofthe prisoner, who |
as he looked wistiully and inquiringly in the
face of the i "a oh % -,
terest The prisoner seemed to have armed
himself with bravadoish insenSibility to his
disgrace, and only when reference was made by
the Judge to his father, did he seem conscious
ofthe import Of the words uttered by the Court. |
1t was understood by one ofour reporters that |
Burns, on being re-committed to his CELL after
his sentence, acknowledged his crime to one Of
those having him in charge, and accordingly |
our reporter, in company with another person,
asked and obtained leave to visit Burns in his
cell. On being questioned as to some of the
evidence addued at the several trials which he |
had had, he at first preserved short and rather
sullen sort ofevasiveness, but as he was talked
with he gradually grew more genial and com
municative The facts were Of general nature
elicitcd that afternoon-and our reporter not
being prepared to take down anything in detail
asked Burns whether he should call upon him
atanother time He readily expressed his as.
sent and invited him to call at any time. Ac- |
cordingly, day or two afterwards, our repor-
fer went up and conversed W ith Burns alone in
his cell for an hour or two. As on the previous
occasion, Burns was taciturn and rather nom
eommittal at first, but again reented, as it we're
and seemed not only willing to answer any
question, but to go off himself and tell incidents
connected with his identification with the mur-
dered woman. What he related to our repor-
ter was substantially as follows:
! first got acquainted with Mary Montony
about the first Of April She appeared to be ofa
French descent, but could talk both French
and German. The way got acquainted with
her was this One day when was sitting at The
corner right opposite the First Ward School
House, saw woman turn down North street
She looked as II she might be crazy. thought
sue was. She had yellow sun bonnet on
had bundle in her hsnd--a pair Of SCISSORS
swinging around her neck. thought that per-
haps she was going to jump into the river l
thought that most likely she was strumpet.
Isbllowed her down and asked her what she
was going TO do She sold she didn't krow as
a \