New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-01-08
THE APPROACHING EXECUTION or
DONNELIY.
From Our Specie, Reporter.

FREEHOLD, N.J., Wednesday, Jan. G. 1853
At noon, on Friday, James p. Donnelly, convicted
of numbering Albert s. Moses at the Sea View House.
will undergo the extreme penalty Of the law, 10 the
court yard of the jail of Monmouth County. Donnelly
il young man, belonging to Washington ID. Co.
about "a years of age and for all that appears to the
contrary, occupied respectable position N society
previous to the unfortunate occurrence for which he Is
doomed TO die AS the circumstances of his crime
were so fully set forth at the time of its commission
az well as upon his trial. brief reference TO 1t now
will be sufficient. Early lylast, Donnely, who had
been studying medicine, and was as he says, worn
down BY long continued application to his profession,
desired to recruit bis strength in the least expensive
manner; so he engaged with Mr. VIM. W. Smith, the
proprietor of the Sea View House clerk and book
keeper for the Summer season. -Four or five days be-
fore the end of the month Albert s. Moses was engaged
at the same house a. barkeeper. Between Donnelly
and Moses intimacy sprang up and on the night OF
the last Of July they sat up nearly all night paying
cards 1t is supposed that they had been gambling
together before and that Donnely had lost largely.
portion of the money which he lost at play was no
doubt borrowed from the funds of the proprietor OF the
hotel A Spanish gentleman, one of the boarders, on
the 3st of July intrusted 500 in gold with Donnelly
TO be placed in the safe DOnnelly took this money,
hoping TO win back what he had lost, and thereby
save his credit, and played with Moses al
night rising at or O'Clock on Saturday morning
loser to the amount Of $50. This sum, added to his
r-o,.;nua Insses mt pav with Moses eansaa aor'"n-
deficit in his accounts and was customary for ms
emp,oyer to demand q balance sheet at the end oil
every week, it is supposed that Donncly, driven to
desperation BY the fears of exposure and disgrace re-
solved to repossess himself of tho money which Moses
Ind won With this object in view, about o'clock in
the morning he went to the barkeepers room and find
inc him asleep as he expected en6cavored to possess
himself Of the money which Moses had kept between
his bed and the mattress. He succeeded in getting
roll of bills but in doing awoke Moses. A struggle
ensued when Dcnnely stabbed him in the neck,
tn, knife passin. out at the other side. He then
| ran out closing the door after him, but was
closely followed by Moses, CRYING Murder! at the
| top of his voice. Donnelly ran on until hc was
stopped by Mr. Smith, the proprietor of the house,
| who asked him what was the matter. Donnely, who
was very much excited, did not answer for some mo-
',nents but finally replied "IIes dead he's dead"
| Smith asked who was dead, when Donneliy replied
that he did not know. Subsequently Donnelly went t.
his room and changed his clothes, then went to the
water.coset and afteIward observed running rap
idly across the fslds acting Ike one demened Moses,
with his dying breath, charged Donnely with his muir
der and that fact taken in connection with the gam
| bling the money taken from the safe the finding q
asa in torn bills in the watercloset the change at
dress. his wild deineaDor and the blood on the sill of
lis bedroom door constituted the principal evidence
against the prisoner. He had . most impartial trial.
before Monmouth County Jury and was found guilty
Of the high crime Of murder. His counsel carried his
case to the Supreme Court and the Court of Errors in
order to obtain new trial. but failing in both in
stances appealed to the Court of Pardons. That rb-
una after duly examining the case refused to interfere
The social position of the prisoner enabled him to
appeal to and secure the influence of numerous power
full friends in New-York and Washington who laborel
indefatigably in his behalf. Their efforts seconded
by the sympathy and support of many influential
ournals avaled not, and within thirty-sX hours he
will be more.
BY the kindness of Mr.. Conover, the Sheriff, OBJ
tanned an interview with the condemned man this
evening Hewas engaged in writing, having thrown
oil his coat but Immediately laid aside his pen and
said he would be happy to answer any questions
Donnery IL thin man. of medium hight, with long,
oval features, high forehead, and long black hair,
which is thrown back in curs around his neck. lie
wears slight brown goatee, and mustache. Ills
eyes ere light blue but very dull and boodshot. Ills
mouth s small and lacks rmness, and his countenance
is pale and wears an expression Of Intense menta!
suffering During the day the Sheriff had shown
him his death warrant, and a letter from
Governor Newell in which he stated that al hope Tor
him, in this world, had passed, and advising him 10
cok to his Savior for forgiveness. Until then ne was
confident Of being pardoned and VA. only just begin
ningto appreciate his awful position He had also en-
buOyed up BY the prospect of escape and did acuaN!
break iail on Sunday night last How he managed II
Is mystery while the keepers sat in a room adjoining
the prison, and overlooking the cells. Donnely nav
ing previously sawed asunder The chain which bound
him to his cell door, and cut the links which confined
his feet actually walked out of his cell across the
large work ROOM which opened, and unias'en'ng
al iron door opposite got into the courtyard anu .!
the assistance of plank climbed to the top oil the eA
terror wall. While on the wall his escape was u.s.
covered and he was 50 frightened that in letting hui-
self down he fell upon his back, inlurnS AN.'eh
severely. HE says he thinks the injury Is 90 severe
that he viii never recover from H..
large dog attacked him a. he fell, biting nun IA the
hand, bu he seized him BY the leg. and dashed INN
against the wall.
As scon As his escape was discovered pursuit COM
menced. DonneIy said he lay under toe VALE unable
10 stir .Ur some time while the bel' rug ana the
officer. and citizens were searching for him. but they
did not discover him carriage was TO nave been IN
waiting TO convey him to the shore, IN the '1thuy OF
Keyport where he was to have been put on BOARD
vessel there in readiness to receive him. oaturday
night wac the time fixed for the escape out ne could
not get ont aud Sunday night the carriage was not
there A. soon he able he se' outtoward hey
port, hoping to reach the sppointe place on foot He
soon found, however that his long confinement and