The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-11


even one moments intervieW with his wife
mother, sister, JOr little ones.
Alexander Mcconnell was about Eve feet SIX
inches IN he ght thick set, hal heavv eyebrows,
low, contracted forehead; blue lstless, sinister.
looking eyes, and mouth around which mary
evil passions lurked. He married q widow wisl
SIX ch1idren, and has had three since their
marriage. He has mo her anu IN unmarried
s,str also living IN Canada. The most impress
sive scene that took place before the execution
was the Interview this morning between the
prisoner and the husband OF the murdered
woman. The interview was OF Colviu's o yn
seeking. The two men stood fJr some moments
beside each other urable TO speak from different
emotions. Mcconnell reached out his hand aud
exclaimed, In choking voice, "Wilham, for
give mel"
Colvin drew back, and refused to give his
hand, say ing, at God forgive you will torg.ve
The Sheriff demonstrated with Colvin, telling
him that he was not showing Chr stiaG.like
spirit; that God had forgiven tde unhappy man,
and he ought to do so 100.
Colvn replied, in q trembling voice "I can
never shake hands with a murderer
Mcconnell burstinto tears, and kneelug down
at the side of bis pallet began to pray.
Colvin then went into the cell, and Mcdonnell
rose, saying, won't you forgive me, MIR.
ColvinW
I'll God forgives you, do" was the reply.
" always treated you well, con'luue1 CoIvin,
and | suffered more Than death because OF
you. My wife was murderd; | was accused of
the crime and disgraced. Nothing but the
consciousness OF innocence upheld me. knew
II they hung me | was guiltless. I'll never
treat another man as kInkly as did you. How
j have suffered ~
~ know 1t, Mr. Colvn, know it," replied
Mcconnell, "hut do ioreive me-"
II want to see no man damned" said Colvin
III God forgives you will" Then with sudden
emotion, ''Yes, forgive you az hope to be
| torgiveu," extending his hand, which McCon-
nell grasped convulsvely, and wept more bit.
terly than before.
CClvln then bid Mcconnell good-by wishing
him the favor of Heaven.
The galows was erected on the northeast
corner OF the Jail, and presented nothing diff.
ierent in appr arance from the judicial instrlt-
ment of death uced at every execution. The
space inside the jail being limited. the Sheriff
was Obliged to issue tickets only to those whose
duties called them thither. strong force of
police guarded the iall, and kept back the crowd
that assembled outside.
At eighteen minutes past II o'clock Mcconnell
mounted the sUeps OF the scaHOld accompanied
| by the sheriff and deputle., the attending cler-
| gVmen, and others. Prayer was then read bv
nell, who all the morning had been quite cheer
| full and calm, still preserved an unruflied de-
| near or, although his cheek became ashy pale.
| Occasionally tear would trickle do Wn his face
| and a slight tremor cOnvulse his frame. He
| bade an adectlonaie farewell to all those on the
sCattold, and took bis place beneath the dangling
rope. Turning 10 the people he said, "Gen,le-
| men, trust in the Lord | hope all men and
1
| to be done by GhC same
The moose was adjusted, and the black hood
| drawn over his mead, shutting out IRON him
| tie light o. day forever. In his last moments
| he was trm and collected, and az he stood on
the brink OF e ernity, W tn mauacied nal1s and
| pinoned limDs, be die not tremOle once. Once
| more he said goodby, turning his head slightly,
| thereby slipping the knot uuder his chm. AT
The same moment the Sheriff sprang the trap; a
| dull, heavy sound followed. and ut twenty
minutes past II ihe soul OF Alexander McCoa
| nell went before Its Creator
Owing to the movement OF the head II fore
| the drop fell the neck o The condemned was
not broken, and he died thu horrible death oi
| stIaUgula ION. II vas sickenIng sight FOl
CighT minutes ter the iall heavlng OF the
| breast and aNina OF the body we're manifest
the hands gIa ping convusivclv, aud raise
| towards the deadly mouse as high as tn wrist
| lets would allow. AT the end OF fifteen minutes
| lie was pronounced extinct, and alter another
quarter of an hour the boiy was cut do Wn
cotiined, ana given III charge OF the Rev. Mr.
| Cooley.