Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-05-09

aHAHeNNiiSe VI - ASNiAiNAh'
-SanEA-
Hanging IA Man TvVice---ReVOltinE Scene,
Michael McNamee was executed at Chicago
on the 9th for the murder Of his wife. He con-
fessed the killing, but claimed in his last mo-
ments that he did not hold himself guilty OF
tue use of his reason, and knew not what he
was doing He expressed great contriton for
the deed, and met his fate with religious resig-
alton. A few hours before the execution, the
sacrament was admins cred to him by Rev.
Father McMullen.
a sister of McNamee came on from Philadel-
phia to solace her brother during his last hours,
and to take care of his two orphaned children,
an interesting little boy and girl. They will
accompany her to Philadelphia OF the last
interview Of the sister and brother the Chicago
Herald says
Day before yesterday his sister visited him,
and the interview was one which would soften
heart Of flint. The woman was in very par
oxysms of grief, and her sobs and mourning
could be heard throughout the entire Jail. She
hung upon her brothers shoulders with all the
tenaciousness a sisters heart could devslop -
His little sou, bright boy of six years of age,
little Andrew, as he is called, who became some
what notorious by being present at his fathers
trial, also was present to bid adieu TO his pa
r.nt His fond caresses aud endearipg talk
while with his father formed a scene which
would make the stOutest heart finch. The lit.
tie fellow had no idea OF what was TO take
place, but seemed to know something dreadful
was about to happen. The bolts and bars, the
presence of the priest, and the conduct of his
aunt, created a mystery in his juvenile mind,
which, to a loOker-on, showed intense grief.
The sister brought with her garment which
she had fabricated with her own hands, in
which she wished her brother clad when he took
his last view of this world. 1t was made of
dark colored cloth, and in form modelled alter u
loose gown trimmed with a white fringe and
short apron, upon which were worked the
letters 81. IL. S."
Tie execution was within the Jail under the
new law Of Illinois, in the presence Of only
some twenty witnesses, The Tribune thus de
scribes the revolving scene of twice hanging
the miserable McNamee:
The mode of adjusting the fatal moose is
kL own as the French method. 10 prevent Iust
what subsequently occurred, the slipping of the
knot, thus substituting slower stTangulalion for
the instant death by the dislOcatiOn of the neck
the cord about the neck is exchanged for thick,
double, sewed belt of leather, nearly a hand's
breadth wide, of length little less than the cir
cumference of the neck. In the ends are eve
let's through which the rope passes. Thus a
stiff collar is made which renders dislocaton
inevitable. The collar used yesterday was the
same used at the execution of Staub. 1t was
adjusted to the neck of MeNamee, his hands
were bound, the black cap drawn over his eyes
he stands upon the fatal trap, the clergy repeas
the prayers of the church, and while in tho
utteTance of "Our Father, which art in Heav
en-. " the drop falls, the bound frame of the con
demnod wretch descends distance of eight full
feet upon the straining cord it holds, but hor
rlble to relate the collar parts at the eyelet and
the victim falls heavily fifteen feet upon the
floor of the Jail basement A cry of horror
escapes the spectators. There ID no move.
ment Of life in the black Tobed and hooded
body. Officers Bradley, and Palmer, and Ken.
nedy, and Greene, raise it, and bear il to the
head of the stairs, before the first symptoms of
consciousness on the part of McNamee are dis
covered.
The hood was removed and under the excite
ment Of that awful hour the bruises Of fall, at
another time no light affair, were probably un-
teltb the wretched man. He was asked, "can
you stand alonel" and problbly misunderstand-
ing the question, answered, "Yes, l can stand
that and twice that
The rope was then re-adjusted, this time the
usual moose. The priests take their position at
his side he bids them again adieu, and at a
given signal the clang Of the falling trap, the
rush of the descending body and the sharp
twang Of the Strengthened cord, and the strug-
Cling frame of McNamee was suspended in the
ia the air
BY some misadjustment, the second time the
knot slipped aside and the neck was not broken.
When the body had hung fourteen minutes the
heart circulation was still apparent though
faint. The struggles of the expiring wrstch
continued for some minutes.