The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1861-02-06
From the Cincinnati Commercial. January &c.
Execution Of Patrick DIcHugh, al
Cincinnati, January rs, for the
Murder OF his Wife.

ted in the county Jail yard at forty minute
past noon. He awoke at five o'clock in th
morning, and exhibited his accustomed indiffel
ence. When his breakfast was brought in
remarked, "you have brought as much as
you expected me to carry it away on my back
On the night before his death, and on other oC
casions he rehearsed and wrote a number
rhyming verses. These have been repeated a
samples of "McHugh's poetry" They are sim
ply imperfect recollections Of verses heard pei
haps in childhood, changed by the emotions
his mind into sentences OF doggerel rhyme
bearing some similitude to the events OF hi
life. The forenoon was mostly spent in reli
gious conversation and in leave taking OF his nu
merous acquaintances. About ten o'clock hi
children visited him under the charge Of Sis
ter Of Charity. The girls were too young t
comprehend the occasion, aud his son, lad Q
seventeen years, appeared to feel but little emo
ton. McHugh has had gloomy forebodings o
this lad, and has freely expressed his fears.
Early in the morning he sent for Burns, anC
had long interview with him. During thu
whole forenoon he made many jokes, of which
we can but rciterate the opinion expressed yes
terday that they were the natural result of his
peculiar mind, and did not proceed from any
stoical Indifference of his fate.
Being questioned by Mr.. Shockley about hi'
levity, he said: at is not leTity. am conyinc
ed that my sins are forgiven, and it makes me
happy lam glad that my hour Is approach.
ing"
His attorney, in their conversation yesterday
alluded to this department as among the evi
dences of his insanity.
We have before spoken Of him as an igno
rant man. BY this expression we did moi
mean that he was an illiterate man; on the con,
trary, he could read fuently and write with
great legiblity. During the latter part of his
life he picked up much religious information
both from the scriptures and the lives Of saints
AS an evidence of this, we instance the follow
ing:
On Tuesday last he was introduced to a
young Catholic theologian, who in the course
Of some religious counsel spoke of thieves o
the cross as being pardoned. McHugh instant.
ly corrected him by saying, "only one, sir, was
forgiven" He evinced some pride on his at
tainments in these respects. When the Super
intendent fist called on him in the morning,
and asked him if he could do anything Tor him,
he produced a paper, written in a firm hand,
follows: About eight inches sqnare of green
silk, and about four feet of green silk ribbon,
three inches wide, one yard Of white ribbon,
one inch wide" The square silk was sewed
on the left breast OF his vest and the green rib
bon, made with white ends, tied around his
waist. He wore these in memory of his ma
tive land.
In answer to the Sberiff's interrogation as to
the hour at which he desired the execution
should take place, he replied that he "aoould
like to die at a0elve oclock so as 10 be in time fo,
dinner in the other Uorld."
When his pants were put on, he asked-"Is
there any money in the pockets?" "No," was
the answer. Then you might put pass in
it," he said, laughingly. When the cravat was
put on his neck, he asked-"Won that be in
the way Of the Sheriff." and being answered in
the negative, continued, "Well, tell Cap Capt.
Armstrong, the Sheriff) that if he cannot fix
the rope, TO call on me- and I'll help him.
In the cell he had long interview with the
prosecuting attorneys, in which he denied their
theory that he premedtated the death oil his
wife, and attributed the deed to an unfounded
jealousy created by drink.
At an early hour the police were stationed
on every public eminence, to keep off sight seers.
But the streets were thronbe and those win.
dows of dwellings from which any part of the
Jail yard was visible, were crowded with per-
sons, some few OF whom were women and chill
dren. The police who were upon the shed ad
joining the western wall OF the yard, not only
allowed it to be crowded with spectators, but
when the prisoner ascended the scaffold, mum
bsr of them deserted their post, procured a lad
der, and ran with indecent haste to the foot of
the gallows. There were between one and two
hundred persons in the Jail yard, not over fifty
of whom actually saw the execution, the space
from which full view could be obtained being
very narrow, and many averting their faces from
the dreadful sight
After some further conversation, he asked for
a little of drink lie was furnished with a
tumbler Of whisky and water, by Mr.. John
Bunker
"Thank you," said he. "Now will give
you the Seotchman's toast This was it: "I'll
remember you when far AVA"
Then he drank off the dram. Tears came
into the eyes of Mr.. Bunker, when McHugh
said "There's man. To him and to all
feel very grateful. Mr.. Bunker is man, and
hope he will be in better circumstances one
Of these days"
While the attendants were tying his arms,
he said: Gentlemen, did you ever see man
hung, who took itso pleasantly as do? Well,
thank my Gud that I've lived as long as this"
Absent half past twelve, the procession was
ioTIueu dt tno uUOI VI Ills Gull, Auu uldICH6u W
the gallows in the following order
Men bearing the coffin.
Rev, Mr.. ODriscoll.
Sheriff Armstrong.
The prisoner, supported by Deputy Sheriffs.
Hirst and Bunker.
Deputy Sheriff Glass, with the rope.
At the door of his cell he bowed himself up
On his coffin and kissed for over a minute the
Al H. AZ
;caffold and assembled the stairs without diff
Guilty. lie Immediately stamped his 70 1t upon
It by way Of trying its 'frmness, smiling repeat
IDLY. Upon the scaffold were his attorneys,
Durbin Ward and the Messrs. McGroarty, the
Prosecuting Attorneys, DIR. Burke, Superin-
tendent Shockley, and some others. His de-
pertinent was unchanged. While talking with
Mr.. Patrick McGroarty he noticed that his
,M'Groarty'sl toes were on the trap; giving
hem gentle kick, he laughingly said, keep
your toes off," lie kissed the crucifix, and re-
peated several prayers at the suggestion of his
,onfessor. Ele then asked for water, and took
small swallows from 1t repeatedly while making
the following address:
II despise the werld and its mean admirers,
and l love the person and the price that re-
deemed me. | commend my soul to the mercy
,f my God, to Jesus Christ and the blessed Vir-
yin Mary, and to st. Joseph, that was on this
sarth the foster father fJesus. / believe fond
" in my heart that God will receive my soul.
| feel sorry for tho atrocious deeds that have
or, in other words, feel sorry for
The violation ofthe law that committed, when
consider that it Is one Of the highest Of crimes
1.-THE taking away Of life that could not
give. feel it 10 my heart that just God
,ould hardly forgive me for depriving tho life Of
! woman that had placed my affection on. u
owed her more than loved my own mother
hat bore me. | cherished that love In my