Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-08-11

e and the hopelessness Of a commutatio
g Mcconnell still chung however to hope.
petition to Governor Cox, praying that b
sentence might be commuted to impriso.
ment for life was extensively circulated al
received some signatures. This petite
| was carried to the Governor last week [
McConnoll's untiring friend, the Rev. NJ
Rylance. But after mature d~eliberation Il
Governor refused 10 interfere with the ex,
cution of the judicial sentence. The erin
inal received the announcement with
burst of tears; and every prop that held u
hope having fallen he became alarme
about the future and exceedingly anxior
TO prepare for it.
WHO GOT THE MONEY AND THE WATCH.
1t will be observed that Mcconnell siren
uously denies taking the missing watch q
the $3.50 which CoIvin claimed to have ha
in a trunk in the shanty. He still declare
that he did not receive it and he contend
that if Mrs. Colvin had not opposed hin
when he tried to leave the house, after hav
ing laid the stolen articles down, he wouI,
not have done her any injury. But Sd.
declared he must remain and be arrested
which was the cause of their struggle ans
its awful termination in murder.
When he left Colvin on the railroad, al
they were going to Berea, and turned back, i
was his intention to carry away all III;
clothing he could find in the house, but moi
| 10 ,,u-3s- aov nra
HOW MCCONNELL VIEWS HIS DEATH.
Our reporter visited Mcconnell in his cell
yesterday and had a long conversation with
him. He talks OF his approaching fate with
oalmness, manifesting not the least trepida,
ton. When be spoke of his wife and little
ones he wept bitterly. lie said that one
week ago he did not believe it possible for
him to feel as he does about death that he
had no fear of the future; that life IS IN
certain at best, and that he will soon know
more Of eternity than all living men. He
was willing to die since he had forfeited life
by the committal Of murder nevertheless
he would have been thankful TO have gone
to the Penitentisry for life and not to have
left to his orphaned babes the shame Of a
murdsrers legacy. He had prayed all the
time to be forgiven, and he believed the
crime was not remembered against him in
heaven, whittier be hopes to 90. He seems
sincere and talks with much feeling. He
desires to thank the people who
have interested themselves in his
cause, and particularly the Rev. Mr.. Ry-
lance and his estimable wife, to whom he
owes so much for their christian counsel.
He said he would not make any speech on
the scaffold, for he had confessed all the
truth; that he had no education or talents
for speaking he had had q hard time Of it
IN life; he h ID always worked hard to sup
port himself and family had tried to be an
honest man had not found much in life
worth living for he forgave all freely, and
hoped for q full remission of allihis sins in
heaven. On Thursday afternoon the sacra-
ment was administered to him by the Rev.
Mr.. Cooley, who has been his spiritual sd-
wiser since the departure of the Rev. Mr..
Mr.. Rylance to visit McConnelPs family in
Canada.
NOT ARRIVED.
Mcconnell hoped until yesterday that his
wife or sister would be here before the day
Of his execution. Yesterday he gave up all
and seemed to feel very sad at not
having an opportunity Of speaking with
But they are poor, he said, and can
not come for want Of money, not for want Of
for him.
TIE A OF THE DEATH.
The day of the execution has arrived, and
whatever there is Of the hereafter will soon
be known to one more human soul-prepar-
ID or u~nprepared. The day rose bright and
beautiful, the busy hum of the city is heard'
men go about their daily avocations heap
.ng up money and forming plans to enjoy it
1ut what are all these to q doomed criminal
vino listens with aching heart to the bells
mat toll the hours that creep on to the one
hat will so soon be MS last? What chills
must the sound of the hammer that builds
he scaffold send to the heart of the doomed
,ne2
THE sCAFF0LD.
THE .gallows was erected yesterday in the
northeast corner of the jail, where Hughes
vas hung, and is the same that was used in
no execution of Parks, Hughes aud Cooper.
The gaIlows was erected in the most seclu-
led spot within the walls Of the jail. A
is a very simple thing to see and to
describe, and at any execution the gall0ws
naturally comes in for r share Of descrip-
ion. On the one on which four murderers
rave persisted there is nothing inviting par
ocular attention. Two upright posts with
he top cross-beam complete the frame
work. two c~ross-pieces fastened into the
posts and receiving the hinges,
folded horizontally, completed tho
\ centre prop three inches
quare supported the traps, q hinge con
on the principle of the carpenters
ule, being near the middle. The safety OF
he platform was secured by the usual tenn
,orsry props near the outer edges of the
raps. The step ladder was placed upon
eft hand side as you faced the gallows.
The noosed rope dangling from the cross
,eam overhead, the small, cord like rope
rear the hinge of the center prop, completed
he picture of this conventional instrument
# punishment. Has not many q witness
# an execution pondercd to himself over
he precautions taken for the sake ofsilence ?
The creased hinges, tho soft pads beneath
he bars of the traP-these silently suggest
he difference between the clGmcr and brU-
of murder, End the dignity and JUS
ice of execution. The soul that is cut of
must be silently exsciuded.
The space inthe Jail being limited, Sheriff
Nicola was obliged to issue tickets to only a
ew persons-mostly to officials and persons
whose duty called them thither.
AZ TEE TArr.
The interest and excitement consequent
N the murder and trial, and which had
partially died ont, was revived by tho near
approach of the time for the fatal fall. at
IN early hour 2 crowd vas collected around
he gates of the iail-yard, eager to gain ad-
which was, of course, denied to
Ill but the few furnished with tickets. \
detachment Of police was stationed in the
gard at seven o'clock, and at half past ten
he whole force marched to the jail and took
heir variously appointed stations.
Among those admitted to the jail we OBJ
icrved severel of the jurors who sat upon
he trial, and 4 number of citizens and OIL
;ials, together with half a dozen reporters