The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-09
misunderstanding the tine the appointment was not
kept, and the result that the attempt TO escape
n failrxa

-
kept, and the result was that tho attempt to escape
proved failure.
THE DAY BEFORE KxECuTrON.
The day before the execution busy one in the vii
lage of Freehold. The militia Of the entire county
under arms, and strict guard kept over the Court
House and its inmates. sheriff Conover received an
anOuym letter. stating that attempt would be made
to rescue the oond emned, by party Of men who had
copgregated around Keypor for that purpose Hence all
due precautions taken against surprise.
Donnelly visited by HIS SISTERS during the forenoon,
who took their last farewell Of their condemned brother,
then returned to New York by tho evening train.
The at parting q trying indeed. Even the
calous hearts Of the aers moved 10 compassion at
the interview notwithstanding he pleaded strongly TO be
released from the shackles during the short period
ns ne was about ns lei. aons ns WIN ssa sarsS ns as
had been pronounced and the sisters well nigh con
vused with grief the courage OF the prisoner forsook
him. and he fell fantng upon his couch The sisters asc
tainted seeing the pabe condition Of their brother
and had carried to toe adjoining hotel where they
kindly cared for by the propretrs OF the establish
n. ept, Mess rs. Rogers and stokes.
During the day several persons visited Donnelly with
whom he conversed freely upon the matter OF the murder
He protested his entire nnocense, and declared his nten
ton to make public denial OF his guilt the foot Of the
scaiold the following day.
most melancholy 10 contemplate For several
hours after their departure he remained in q
state Of syncope and grew so III that the Sheriff
obliged to call in physician. Restoratives
applied h success and towards night the prsoaer had
far recovered be able 10 with the few Of
his friends who admitted to his cell Mr.. Philip
CoZeDs, Dr. FnDe and others from New York paid the
unfortunate proracted visit the night previous
to tho execution Donney appeared resigned to hs fate
He passed sleepess night, notwithstanding half grain
OF morphine administered by the physicians in at
tendance The brothers law Of the prisoner Messrs.
Co2ens and Beon by his bedside during the entire Of
that lonely night endeavorng as best they could TO minis
ter to the comfort OF the wreched man. Donnely failed
rapidly during toe night and when morning ca ne he was
weak and low spirited that feared he would have
70 be supported TO the sc.fold Al intervals du
ring tho night the condemned visited by
the Rev. Dr. Cummings, the Rev. Mr. Youngs and
the Rev. Mr.. Jacobus, Of the Roman Catholic church,
whose consong words OF religion seemed to soo,he and
comfort the broken spirit Of the cupI and not
unt the gray dawn OF morning arrived tha. the clergy
dessted in the execution of their most holy task and
left the condemned 10 enjoy the last few moments Of sleep
that allotted 10 him on this earth.
THE MORNING OF THE EXECUTION.
On the morning of the execution the upon as
lovely day as was ever experienced in the month Of
January Before o'clock, the various roads and
leading frtm Freehold were lined with wagons
and vehicles OF all descriptions filed 10 overowing with
persons anxious behold the last act in drama which
has excited universal interest throughout the en-
tire Union. II rumored that the Sheriff
intended 70 exhibit the body of Donnoy after the
ton hence the great rush men and children
Thousands who had not opportunity Of being present
during the trial dete mined To take the present opportu
nifty gratifying their morbid taste for the horrible.
At sH O'Clock the cergymen visited Donnely for the
purpose Of administering him the rite or the holy
munion. The exercises were first commenced with
prayer which followed with the imposing mass OF
the Catholic church. Then followed the sacrament OF the
Lords supper, in which the prisoner participated with
evident devotion and much feeling
Tho clergy, with the exception Of the Rev. Mr. Iaco
bus then took their leave Of the condemned until the
fatal moment for the execution should arrive
p'c he IF tn Tho
bor &c dozen admitted 20 the cell for the pur
pose of taking last farewell The Interview between
DoDnely aud those who bad been acquainted with him
from his boyhood extremely affecting indeed.
He shed tears copousy thanked them all for their kind
ness IN terms neat and elegant and then leaning upon the
arm Of his brother in-law Mr. Cozeps walked up and
down The corroor for the purpose Of calming his feelings
previous IN the fatal hour that then fast approaching
While thus linked arm with his relative he hand
ed him letter directed u the young lady IN washington
10 whom he was engaged 10 be married. say ing-"When
you get Washington open this and then give il to her."
lie could Fay no more His eyes were suuscd with tears
and more deep despair took possession Of his soul
shortly after this the jaor Mr. Van Doran, entered the
prison and sauted the condemned The aior Of The
world and also years, moved TO tears at the aec
tonate reception given him by the prisoner "God bless
youlr said Dopney "you have been kind 10 me- and you
shall have your reward for Il hereafter"
having been rumored that the aor prvy N the
attempted escape Of Donney on Sunday night the latter
sgp1ed desh 20 sign paper cxcupating Mr.. Van DO
from all completely in the matter. Accordingly Judge
nroclmorton drew mp sjav, in the presence Of the
prisoner embracing the facts, as follows
S,cts Of Netr Jersey, Monmouth Cbtnty-Tames r. Don
nelly being duly sworn according law, on his oath
saith that neither Isaac p Van Doran the keeper Of the
jail OF the county OF Monmouth o his family
any person persons connected with having charge
in any way whatever with said jail the court house in
Freehold had any connection either directly indirectly,
any way whatever, with his escape from said ail
the tight of the Cd or January 1858; did he, the
said soac p Van Doran or his family, or any person or
persons in charge Of In any way connected with said
Jail or court house, any other person persons In
Freehold, In any way on said night, when made NY
escape render any aid or assistance nor did he or
any mid whatever at that time at any time
before the said night Of the ID OF January, 1858 and
hereby exonerae and excupao said Isaac Van Doran,
bis family, or any other person in Freehold, frsm any
participation in said escape.
Sworn and subscribed at the Monmouth Jail, at 10
O'clock A. NJ January 9, 1858, before me, THOMAS c.
TimocKnoRroS, Judge.
DoSNEILY VISITING HIS FELLOW PRISONERS.
AZ 1ois O'Clock Donney descended from the ante
TO the corridor beneath and company with mr. Inncl
visited each Of the prisoners confined the jail for the
purpose Of bidding them last farewell The interview
between the condemned and his fellow prisoners
very affecting indeed To the latter he spoke in Ian
guage touching and beautiful When no arrived opposite
the cell of oolored man. confined there charge of
saut and battery he seemed deeply Affected and grasp
bg the hand Of the negro exclaimed 10 Dr. Finne 'noc
tor this s the fellow who did so much for To hun
owe everything TO young man on the second tier OF
cells he made lengthy address warning prisoner Of
tho fate Of those who engaged in crime. "Whon YOU get
out q prison, as you Will m aiew days, sad nonnely,
cad reformed life; be honest and truthful and above
all, beware OF bad company Take warning by my fate,
and beware of evil communication
by he entered the cells Of the prisoners and
addressed them in terms full OF feeling that dry
eye was observable throughout the entire prison when he
had concluded the mournu task He then continued 10
walk up and down the corridor Dor the space " hall
hour perhaps when he sgned desire 10 10 his cell
for tho purpose of preparing himself for the execution
After washing himself and combing his hair to nicely
almost he begsnsn the mehOdcal manner clean
and brush his cfobcs lie seemed very particular about
his toilet, and did not dess until be had completed 10
his entire satisfaction
TAXING LEAVE OF MS FRIENDS.
About II O'Clock at the special request Of the condemn
cd tho sheriff admitted about eighicn twenty persons
10 the prison friends Of the prisoner who were waiting
TO take their farewell OF the miserable man.
The Interview between nonncly ami his friends
affecting that could witness II without shedding
tears. None could hear the parting words Of unhappy
man without feelings Of deep sympathy When the
mony had been gone through with. and the wors "God