The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1859-05-17
Horrible BunSiine at an Execution in
Chicago.

We learn that the execution of McNamee, for
the murder Of his wife, took plack at Chicago on
Friday, Nav eth. The Press and Tribune gives
the following account of the shocking scene,
made doubly horrid by the awkwardness of those
appointed to superintend it:
1.-The mode of adjusting the fatal moose is
known as the French method. To prevent just
what subsequently occurred, the slipping OF the
knot, thus substituting slower strangulation for
the instant death by dslocstion of the neck. the
cord about the neck is exchanged for a thick,
double, sewed belt of leather, nearly hands
breadth wide, of length little less than the cir
conference of the neck. In the ends are eve
lets through which the rope passes. Thus stiff
collar is made which renders disocaiion inevita-
BILE. The collar used yesterday was the same
used at the execution OF Staub. Ii was adjust
ed to the neck Of McNamee. his hands were
bound, the black cap drawn over his eyes, he
stands upon the fatal trap, the clergy repeat the
prayers of the church, and while in the utter
ance Of "Our Father which art in Heaven" the
drop falls, the bound frame of the condemned
wretch descends the distance Of eight full feet
upon the straining cord, i, holds, bu, horrible TO
relate, the collar parts at the eyelets. and the
victim falls heavily fifteen feet upon the floor Of
the Jail basement. A cry of horror escapes the
spectators. There is no movement of life in the
black robed and hooded body. Officers Bradley,
and Palmer, and Kennedy, and Green, raise il,
bear it to the head of the stairs before the frs,
appearance of consciousness on the part Of
McMamee are noticed.
"The hood is removed, and under the excite
ment OF that awful hour the bruises of fall--at
another time no light aftair-were probably un-
felt by the wretched man. He was asked, scan
YOU stand alonef" and probably misunderstand-
ing the question, answered "Yes, ! can stand
that, and twice that"
"The rope was then readjusted, this time the
usual moose. The priests take their position at
his side, he bids them again adieu, and at a Civ
en- sigral the clang of the falling trap, the rush
of The descending body, and the sharp twang OF
the Strengthened cord, and the stranglng frame
of McNamee was suspended in the air.
'By some misadjustment this second time the
When the body had hung fourteen minutes the
heart circulation was apparent though faint
The struggles of the expiring wretch continued
for some minutes We have no mind 10 incur
the charge of pursuing that officer with vindic-
tive spirit by any comments Of ours on Sheriff
Gray's management of the execution of poor
McNamee. That it was badly conducted, and
thus from these mistakes gathered horrors new
and needless even TO the gal,ows, We submit for
the verdict of our readers
''The drop fell for the second time at ten min
utes past 3 o'clock. The liteless remains were
cut down at ten minutes before 7. ". They
were placed in black walnut coffin and deliver
ed TO his sister. A little later hearse was driv-
en- into the Court House Square, and the remains
of poor McNamee were borne away from the
scene of so much terror, even as he had passed
from the presence, though not from the remem-
brance, of his fellow men