Litchfield enquirer., 1858-08-05
EXECUTION OF JAMES KrT1y

EXECUTION OF JAMES KELLY.
 James Kelly expiated his offence of the murder of ms wife on the scafold of the Kings county jail at eight and half minutes past one, Friday afternos,
 The hanging was clnmsily done, aLd the unfortu- nate mans agonies were needessly protracted.
 James Kelly was born in Ireland, on the 18th of July, 1914 He remained in his native town till he nad nearly completed his twenty-sxth year, when he, with party of his countrymen, cmigrated to America, landing on the twentieth of June 1S4O By striking coincidence, it has occurred that the day of his fatal sentence the eighteenth an- nversay of that event, and that he suffers the pen atty of the law on his forty fourth birth-day He soon after became acquainted with pretty young woman named Rose OConor, who seems to have possessed more energy and intellect than is usual in
 persons of her station in lfe They were married in lo44 Their life together very unhappy. FceI- ing himself socially inferior to his wife, and think ing that she despsed his plebein habits Kelly sOon became dissipated, and at such times his tempeF naturally morose, would be excited to frenzy. Thus they lived fifteen years. He finally became so con- stant in his drunken habits to consume all his earnings, and great part of what his wife acquired at labor.
 At length, being far advanced in pregnancy, and being ln constant fear of her personal safety, she de cided to separate from him, and accordingly entered a complaint against him. He was arrested by q pO-
 ceInan, and sent to tEe Pententary for the winter
 His illness the consequence of his dissipation, required him to be placed in the hospital His wifa meanwhile remained in the house of her sister, near the corner of Navy and Prospect street, where she supported herself and children by washing and oth CT work.
 Her husband naturally of an unbalanced mind. now concluded that she unfaithful to him. OveE this idea he brooded week after week. At length hc was liberated about the ninth of April He imme- diately purchased large dirk knife, and for week watched for an opportunity to accomplish his pur- pose. On the sixteenth, he made his way to the house where she was remaining, ard meeting her, charged her, in the foulest language with being in- continent, unf:ithful, etc. As she was attempting to disprove his charges, he drew his weapon and stabbed her in the bosom, inticting five ghastly wounds. He immediately hcd but was arrested soon atterward. She died the next day. When arraigned to answer to the indictment for his crime, he at once pleaded guilty, and demanded | a speedy execution of the sentence. The court did not accept his plea, but assigned him counsel, and proceeded to trial which resulted in his conviction He Was then remanded to prison, there to await his doom, concerning which he has generally expressed much indifference When speaking of the murder he has never acknowledged it a crime or expressed a sentiment of remorse, though he had remarked that it would have better if he had taken his own life, as the deceased would than have been alive to support the children:
 He leaves five children behind The first daugh- ter, was born in lS43 the next, son, in 1S47 the third. daughter in l849 the fourth, alssa daugh- ter, in 1852. His wife had also given birth to q babe about two weeks before her death She had taken great for their education, and had been very solicious that they should attain higher so- cl position than their parents had occupied There is no need to add that not only her personal condi-
 on precluded every thing of the kiDd but that she was above the guilt which he alleged against her. Her children will be taken under the protection of the Sisters of Mercy.
 Doctor Tucker of Brooklyn, visited him the day before his execution, and present about hour He asked Kelly how he felt? Kelly replied in sub stance
 Very we'll, indeed, under the circumstances I am perfectly resigned to my fate have nobody to blame but myself and my sentence is just one. have made no effort for pardon or communication of sentence. killed my wife, and am willing to suffer the extreme penalty of the law. feel kind ly toward everybody, and think l can leave the world without regret, and hope I shall go to the scafold like man. l am very grateful to the keepers for their kindness to me, and think shall leave this lift without an enemy. have had fair and just trial.'
 At one o'clock the prisoner emerged from the jail attended by the sheriff and clergymen. He wore Q thin black coat, and in his usual dress. He looked pale, but did not appear to finch. As they passed the fence around the scaffol he knelt, and Father Gleason proceeded to address him. Kelly then spoke
 II am thankful to you all for the kindness which has been shown to me. To you, father, leave my children, hope that God will bless them.'
 His pronunciation was low and indistinct. Father Gleason proceeded to read the services in which Kelly joined with much apparent devotion. The crucifix was held towards him by Father Cassidy, and he kissed it with much fervor. Father Gleaaon then repeated the final absolutiOn.
 The death-warrant was now read by Deputy sher- iii Parker. The Sheriff now stepped forward and shook hands with the condemned. The clcrgymen also bade him farewell. Father Gleason spoke to him in low tone-" James, don't be afraid God will be with you He suffered this on Calvary You will soon be in heaven.''
 The moose which hung upon his breast was now adjusted, and attached to the hook. The face of Kelly. before pale and wan, now flushed vividly, and he showed evident signs of trepidation. At x~l,k I~1~zl- over his face, and for many seconds he stood there ill momentary suspense.
 At last, the signal was given, the fatal rope was secured, and as the weights fell, Kelly jerked four feet from the ground. As the moose frightened it nassed some Title distance forward, and for seve- ral minutes ing sound was distinctly audible. His contortiops d struggles were violent.
 After kxesp half an hour, life being declared extinct, lSi gody was taken down at forty minutes past one and delivered to the friends of the deceased for interment.
 Thus died James Kelly, by violent death, incur red by his own brutality and crime. Favored be- yond most men in his walk of fife, by the possess sion of companion who could smooth his pathway and elevate his character he embttered her life by drunkenness and ill usage and finally hastened her to the grave by decd of foulest brutality. The law in his case proved inexorable, and to him has been meted out its last penalty. There were few circumstances, and it was the conviction of all who knew him and the circumstances of his crime, severe and unremitting as it has been, was most richly deserved He met the death of Q felOn for deed exceeding in atrocity the crimes of ordi- nary murderers-a deed committed not in the turv of anger nor the delirious frenzy of drunkenness. but in open daytime, after weeks of deliberatiop, Society has avenged the wrong and let it be warn- ing to those who may be tempted by uncontrolled passion to initiate his wicked example.
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 A DROP OF WATER IMPRISONED AT THE CRKAfIoS. We were shown, at Pleasant Ridge, by Dr. E. F: Bouchelle, one of the most interesting geological It consists of specimen of rock of the primitive order of formation, and of the pentahedral