The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-13
THE EXECUTION OF JAMES RODGERS.

Morning OF the Executlon-The Parting
Scene with his Parcnts-The Procession 10
the ScafOld-Demeanor Of the Condcnlned-
The Observation-Disclosures Scenes and
Crowd-Sketch OF Rogers Life, Sc.
James Rodgers, tho murderer Of Mr. John Swanston,
suffered the extreme penalty Of the law yesterday fore
noon in the yard attached to the City Prison. Centre street
The crime for which Rodgers executed is still fresh
the memory Of readers. II a of the most
aggravated character, wherein innocent and inof-
fensvc citizen cruelty assassnatod the hands of
young rowdy. complete history OF the murder cannot
fail to be interesting at this PERIOD and accordingly
subjon the following sketch of the affair, compiled
from the files OF the HERALD -
THE MURDER.
1t the night of the nth of October 1887, that
Mr.. John Swanston residing at No $40 West Twenty
seventh street, was murdered In company with Rodgers
the fatal night two other lads, Daniel Cunningham
and Stephen Mckinney They we'll known to the
police Of the Sixteenth precinct lomgers about the
corners and for years had been fequenters
rous dens in Seventeenth and neghborhood It is
said that one Of these boys had attempted robbery that
same evening" and drawn either knife a revolver
upon another individual, who going home company
with his WIFE
was in Seventeenth street, Eighth avenue that
Rodgers met his two companions the evening Of the
18th OF October They walked together for time stop
ping repeatedly at the saloons drink Rum made
the youthful murderer reckless Passing fruit stand
he demanded apple Of the boy in charge and upon
his refusal assaulted him with a drawn knife The boy
escaped into store close at hand, and the three
young men continued their walk up Tenth avenue
Near the corner OF Twentieth street they stopped
another saloon where they drank freely As they
out one OF them seeing person go by whom he thought
he recognized exclaimed, "Iherc goes man that want
to whip and fastened forward Hs companions kept
pace wth him as he went 1t was now about ton o'clock
at night.
marketing for Sunday, and the two were on their way
homeward. They were but few steps from the corner
OF Twenty first street when three young overlook
them. Rodgers carried his arms akimbo, so that one
elbow hit Swanston violently as he went by him. The
deceased resented the ndgnty, swinging his arms and
berating him in severe terms. The young men turned
back and attacked him. one Of them with drawn knife
Swanston cried Murder and attempted 10 ward Oh the
blows, but without He Received wound in the
sde and fell to the ground The shricks Of his wife
alarmed the neighborhood crowd gathered at the spot
but it was too late. The unfortunate man was breathing
his last, and the assaiants had escaped
As Swanston fell, Cunningham and McGivney went
down two blocks then turned to the right and fled to
wards Hudson river. Rodgers ran down Twenty first
street, and went home, where he remained night
On Sunday he went over into New Jersey, where he
secreted several days.
Meanwhile the police Of the sixteenth precinct spared
effort 10 discover the perpetraior of the murder Capt
Carpenter obtained intelligence Of Cunningham, and ar
rested him Monday. The ensuing Wednesday Rogers
arrested al Woodbridge, where he had formerly
sided, by oicer-now sergean-Leherts aud constable
Of the place, who lodged him in the jail Of Essex county
He brought TO this city on the Friday ensuing, and
committed 10 the Tombs.
THE TRIAL AND CONVICTION.
The Grand Jury found hill and Rodgers brought
to trial the of General Sessions the 18th
Of November. A. Oakley Hall District Attorney, conduct
cd the prosecution and Mr. Andrews the defence The
principal witnesses the wife Of the deceased and the
two young men, Cunningham and McGvney. They con-
CURED in fixing the guilt upon Rodgers.
Ills counsel unremitting In efforts 10
trial. An application was made to the Tor his
luierposhon but he declined stay Of the execution
procured from the Supreme Court at lis general term
tl the result OF motion for new trial could be ascer.
ned. This also denied by the Court of Appeals and
order transmitted 10 the Supreme Court Of this city to
cause the sentence TO b. carried into effect Tho time
his execution fixed on tho 18th OF November lie
cciyed this announcement with apparent Indifference, as
though his sensIbties had been utterly benumbed II Is
reported, however, that upon being reInanded 10 his cell
his armnoss gave way and for hours hc In the
agony Of horror and despair. For several weeks past
little that has taken place in his cell has been allowed
10 transpro; and tss s said TO be al Rodgers own re-
quest
Communication from Governor King; but the frequent
crimes of atrocos character prpetrated In this city
by lads Of similar ago and associations, joined with other
circumstances, determined the Governor n his purpose
Others interested themselves In the matter without effect
Mrs Kirkland, the author went To Albany Wednesday
afternoon FOR the purpose ofobnng executive clcmcncy
but in vain.
THE DAY BEFORE tux EXECUTION.
Rodgers was visited by the different members Of his
family on Thursday. He appeared much grathed at
their presence. The parents seemed well nigh broken
hearted and the brothers and suffered tho most
poignant grief The greater part Of tho day spent
prayer. Father Durankcy unrcmittng n his attcn
aons upon the condemned and the exertions this
reverend gentleman may be attributed the resignation
which the culprh subsequently, evnccd. His sis
ters were removed from tho cell at hvc O'Clock in
the afternoon, and his brothers in hour 30 after
wards. Father Durankey passed the night with the
demncd Rodgers prayed with much fervor and refused
70 60 TO bed until hroe O'Clock in the morning He
took no nourehmcn during the nghtnothng acup
of water passed bis hs H. has eaten little or nothing
for several days previously, AMI In thus deprving himself
OF nourshmcn doing pcnancc, he said. He was In
the habit also Of sleeping the bare boards the same
principle. when he parted with his relatives for the
night and returned 10 the Loneliness cell he seemed
20 be much affected and seized with ht Of trembling
THIS passed on n few moments and Rogers became calm
and resigned. lie slept soundly until SIX O'Clock, when
he awoke much refreshed IN body and mind.
rHE soRsISa op THE EXECUTION
Was spent by the condemned in the exercise Of re.
hgious devotion He about six O'Clock, aud after
joining in short prayer with the clergy sgnded bis de-
sire to partakc OF the communion. This ceremony hav
ING been gone through with the cuIpt again sought
lief In prayer, and ncrved himself Cor the approaching
farewell with his father, mother, sisters and brothers
AZ this time Rodgers attended by the following named
clcrsymen.-Thc Rev nr. Nclgan, ~ 81 Juscphs Scmi
nary, fordhan. Rev. Michael Curran, and Fathers nu-
ranscy and Languinoite. OF 81 Andrews church, SIX
tecnth street, in this city.
Messrs findey and Cunningham, keepers, had charge
Of the condemned for tho twenty four hours preceding
the execution, and contributed much was IN their
power to the comfort of the unhappy youth With these
gentlemen Rodgers conycrscd quite freely expressed him
self glad that the hour of his execution close at
hand and declared himself quite sanguinc Of forgiveness
from the Almighty. lie still maintained that he
did not premeditatedy Intentionally murder Mr..
Swanston, and excused himself by saying that he was
50 intoxicated the ght m the Assassination that he dd
not know what he aid Whenever the subject sf a re.
preye fron the Governor brought the condemned
shook his heal and declared that h. had any hope
q PARDON IN fact well prepared did he feel for d-sth
that he would not thank any interest himself In his
behalf
THE CONDEMNED PARTING WIN MS RELATIVES
About seven O'Clock broSen-hcarted father and moth
cr accompanied by grief stricken brothers and sisters,
paid their last visit To the cell Of The crrt Tho meet
ng and the parting scenes toois auj melancholy
Rodgers appeared to be the collected Of the party
and cynced extraordinary hrmncss Cor one young "a
years The hardest criminal could not have witnessed the
farewell between Rodgers and his relatives without being
moved to tears.
Having parted with his parents, Rodgers expressed
a wish that no yistcrs should be permitted 70
approach his CELL that the few short hours
that we're allowed him 10 live might be spent
VQuW H. H.fkn NtN