Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-01-29
THE HRFFRRMAN MURDER.
Execution of the Four Murderers al
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Conduct of the
CrimiDaIs-BraVadO and Bluster-
They "Die Came"

/ OOmOuCE
CrtmiDaIs-BraVadO and BIuster-
They "Dte Came"
: Nashville (Jan. 2oth,) Cor. Gin. COmmsrcial.l
The four Hefernan murderers were
hung to-day at thirteen minutes past
twelve o'clock. Their resl names are
James Knight, Thomas Perry, George
Grab and james Lysaught. Two had
been in the rebel army.
Yesterday several orthodox ministers
called, conversed and prayed with the
prisoners, who exhibited some emotion.
Aftorward, Father Begrath, of the Cstho-
lie Church, was with them. They all pro-
fessed the Roman Catholic faith. knight
and Perry were baptised. The other two
had been baptised in infancy. The pris-
oners had previously shown great hardi-
hood, singing such pieces as "Bold Jack
Dunaho" and "Bingen on the Rhine"
The past two days had tanned them down,
but they were still stolid, frivolous and
careless, joking about their doom.
This morning, Perry's brother brought
him clothing. The parting scene between
them was heart-rending, Perry giving way
to tears and sobs. Colonel Innis provided
the others with clothing. Lysaught said,
at first, that he didn't want any pants, as
those he had on were good as gold to hang
in. Crab was asked to tell whe shot Hef-
ferman. He replied, "That is not fair
question; I'll never tell that in this world"
Father Begrath came about ten o'clock
to attend them in their last moments.
Lysaught said he felt as gay as lay. He
said he had been badly treated, else he
would be with his parents now. Father
Begrath read q touching letter from Ly-
saught's parents to the Bishop, asking him
to have James grave marked that some
day they might take the body away. He
was earnestly exhorted to repentance, but
he remained almost stolid. Some one in
the room having a looking-glass, he
jumped up, exolaiming, "By golly, must
look at my face once more" Then turn
ing to Grab, he remarked, "Look at yours
it is your last chance"
Crab replied, at amt any use" Ly- |
saught asked, laughingly, "afraid you'll
break the glass 7" when all four seemed
much tickled. Grab having eased
Lysaught's handkerchief, the latter play
fully snatehed itaway, saying, 'let mesmell
it everlasting" Then, turning to Grab,
said, 'you're enough to make monkey
grin"
Perry was asked if he feared to die. He
replied ~ don't dread it bit. It's best to
take it easy, it's got to come"
Crab indicted the following letter to
Byron Heaton, Oswego New York:
George Grab, the boy who used to run
on the packet with you, in 1861, is about
to be hung. He requests to be remem-
bered, kindly, to yourself and family"
Perry took his brother aside at parting,
and advised him never to indulge in sim
ful, lazy ways, never to swear, and to let
alone whisky, cards and bad houses, "for
the like Of this has broaght me to the gal
lows. l want you to take my body home
and let mother see me. am sorry she
did not see me before was hung. Tell
her to meet me in better world, as I
am prepard to die. God bless you Good
byeP
When the priest left them for a few
they began to chat and joke
about the ropes that would hang them, the
feeling Of contrition being svRnescsnt.
An immense crowd, numbering fifteen
persons, were on the ground. At
twenty minutes past eleven, the prisoners
we're brought to the gallows, which they
mounted with firm step, and stood gaz-
ng around for nineteen minutes, while
.he charges and specifications and sentence
we're read. Perry composedly leaned
against one Of the uprights, and surveyed
he crowd. Crabb took hold of the moose
before him, and viewed it with comic l
look, testing its strength with his thumb, {
and rubbing his head against the rope.
Knight buttoned his coat, chewing his
,ud of tobacco violently and showing
nervousness. Ashis arms were bound he '
Iuivered moment. During the prayer
lie knelt, bowling his head and holding his
to his nose, which was
bleeding. His last words were: "I have
10 hard feelings against any one. / am
,oing to better world" Lysaught took
! farewell chew of tobacco, saying "Prstty
eugh, amt it?" he asked forgiveness of
II whom he had injured, adding, /" am
,lad we had time for repentance; am {
,lad we were removed from the Jail to
he Penitentiary. If l had stayed at the
all would have starved to death" Crab {
.lso asked forgiveness for his misdeeds, {
nd thanked Mr.. johnson, keeper of the
'enitentiary, for his kindness. just be- I
ore the drop fell, he shrugged his shoul-
ers and exclaimed, "Its kind O. cold" A
hum called on him on the platform, and
vas anectionately kissed by Knight and
Jrab; as he went down the steps, the
ormer called out, "Take warning by
his.n
Just before the drop fell, Perry held out o
is hat and said, "Jim. johnson give my
rother that"
At thirteen minutes after II o'clock the
ope was cut, and the four bodies fell with q
heavy thump. Lysaughts neck was o
roken. The knot slipped with Knight
nd Grab, who died with many struggles
nd convulsive writings. Perry died by
but did not move much.
After hanging twenty minutes the bod :
Is were cut down and placed in common =
auper cotins. :
An early attempt was made to erect
7hisky, candy and apple stands among
be crowd of spectators, but the military 1
romptly interfeTsd.
The bearing of the condemned showed
hat they had agreed to brave it out.
heir highest estimation of conduct on
1ch occasions seems to have been to die =
anne. They certainly met death with IS
tile show Of fear as is possible to imagine :
i youths not out Of their teens.