White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1866-02-22
Especial Despatch to die Chicago Republican,
Hanging Of DIR. Aaghes at CieSe'
land.

ysOeci.l Despatch to SLe Chicago Repub'iean'l
Hanging OF DR.. Haghes at Cleve.
land.
CLEVELAND. Feb. 9.
DR.. John w. Hughes. . native OF tne
Isle of Man. SO years of age. was hung IN
the Jail of our County. ct l o'clock TINS
afternoon. for the murder OF Miss Tamzen
Parsons of Bedford, in this County, on
the 9th of August last.
This case has created the most intense
excitement in this community since the
commission Of the deed until the hour OF
the execution. Dr.. Hughes was phys'-
clan and surgeon of moro than ordinary
requirements, and in his own Island was
possessed of wealth and high position in
society. He was not only murderer,
but was also -aseduccr. fofger, and bisa-
mist. He first seducei his victim. then
forged decree Of divorce from his law.
ful wife. and with it prevailed upon Miss
Parsons to accompany him to Pittsburgh.
where be married her. bat wss soon after
arrested. tried. and convicted Of bigamy.
and sent TO the Penitentisry. He was
afterward pardoned out BY Gov. Curtin;
bat his infa,uation for Tamzen Parsons
was not abated. He pursued her releut.
Iessly. which finally eliminated in her
death at his hands. for which be has to-
day suffered the extreme penalty of the
law.
During his trial and throughout his
Incarceration, he has exhibited the most
wonderful control Of himself. and his con.
duct in prison has been exemplary, 80 fa,
as the treatment Of the officers of the Law
was concerned.
After his conviction AMI sentence, an
application was made to Governor Cox
for 9 commutstion of sentence to i'm.
prisonment for life in the Penitentisry;
but the application was refused.
On Wednesday night last, be attempt.
ed to destroy his own life by taking q
dose Of morphine. which be had procured
from some unknown source. and conceal.
ed in his cell. to be used at the proper
moment. His attempt at suicide was
discovered in time. and bis life saved.
He was cool and composed all the fore.
noon. and mp to his very last moment.
Upon the scafTold. he made long. and
at times disconnected and incohereni
speech. He acknowledged the justice oI
the sentence. though he denied that the
crime was prsmedirated. He discussed
at some length the different views of re.
ligiou, and male tue following statement
as to his belief: s,-. s-.
Il do not believe to-day that Jesus
was the Son Of Ged. My anatomical
practice. everything. says the doctrine o.
the immaculate conception is not right
it is againat natural philosophy and
against human nature. / believe He had
pure spirit. and that better man nevel
reigned on earth tnsn Jesus Christ; thai
in spirit and heart He was next to thu
Creator Himself, as far as we know; yet
at the same time, l know from my OWL
experience that the connection between
the departed spirits and those of this world
is complete. While am to-day to suf
fer the extreme penalty Of the law, l viii
see yon all altogether"
At the conclusion of bis speech, hi
arms and legs were pinioned. the blacl
cap was drawn over bis head, and tn.
soul Of John w. Hughes, was lanched
into eternity. His body was taken
charge Of by the Manx Soc:e.y.