Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1867-11-20

Sheriff and Deputy were necessarily lmpor.
tuned for tickets Of admission to the jail
yard, but ceul dnot, Of course, accommodate
all nor the quarter Of those who sought ad-
mittance.
THE PREPARATIONS
for the execution we're completed in the
morning. The same gaAows upon which
Wiley suffered the penalty Of the law, fora
like offence, in March last, was used on this
occasion.
THE MILITARY.
Wyoming Veteran Zouaves were out by
direction of the sheriff They turned out at
clock in the morning, formed on the
Square. wen, through guard. mounting, and
during the execution, guards were stationed
in and outside the Jail yard.
THE EXECUTION.
The crowd was dense just about the Jail
and yard was full Of curious suht..eers. A.
one o o'clock the prisoner WAS brought to the
scaffold, the German Catholic Priest ascend
ed FIRST, followed by Father Fitssimm"ns,
both chanting the proper service. Then the
prisoner, a mere boy in appearance, holding
small gold cross in his right hand upon
which his eyes were fixed. Sheriff Van
Leer and Ex. Sheriff Koons walking on either
side, and his counsel following.
Devaney's step was firm and his bearing
unconcerned. After short service he
spoke few words fcrciving the Judge, the
Sheriff, the Jury, the District Attorney and
every body, hut ono witness against him and
he forgave him too He admitted his guilt.
Those attending took leave Of bin and
the rope having been adjusted hastily, the
drop fell at five minutes pas: one. The
knot slipped behind and death was not sud
den, although he struggled but little. A
quiver ran through his frame and all was
quiet. In l5 minutes he was cut down,
Drs. Wagner and Bulkley pronounced him
dead. The crowd dispersed and the militia
ry disarmed.
The body was given in charge to the un
dertaker and the rare show was over.
FURTHER ACCOUNT,
Neal Devaney was borne in the North Of
ireland came TO this country a year ago.
His mother, widow, still lives in the old
country. He had no relations in this coun-
try except two uncles living near Hszle,on,
which doubtless induced him to seek that
place after landing in New York.
Yesterday he slipped his sfackles, which
it appears were rather large for him. The.
we're Immediately replaced for others more
secure. 1t is doubtful if any attempt at
escape was contemplated for he seemed
pretty we'll reconsled to his fate, and all
hope Of any extension Of life entirely gone.
He spoke of slipping his shackes as a good
joke During the latter days of his life he
seemed pleased to see visitors. and was quite
sociable.
He seemed inclined to make confession of
all he knew concerning the murder, but was
constrained therefrom by direction Of his
spiritual adviser During his confinement,
both before aud after his ,rial. in fact un to
within a week ar 50 Of the execution he
strongly asserted his innocence; but as the
aw;u. day drew near, and the chance OF Iiie
grew daily less, he remarked that he had no
friends to stand by him, and it was about as
well TO let things take their course, and
although not publicly admitting his guilt,
his innocence was not insisted upon with
anything like the same vehemence shown
during the earlier part Of his imprisonment.
HIS CONFESSION.
The following, perporting to be Devaney's
confession, was sold on the streets on the
morning of the execution. It wasdelivered
to turnkey Shevlin, the evening before.
Was born in County Donegal, in north OF
Ireland; wai 81 years Of age last March
don't know the exact date Of my birth
cannc, read or write; laborel on farm un
til left for America; reached here Sept
1866 After landing VIC concluded that i
would be better for her to remain in tn
: city, while should 60 to my relatives, nea
Hazleton, We then being nearly out Of money
There became acquainted with Mary Cal
laghan, from my own country. During thi
time continued to write to my wiiein Nc,
York Mary friends found out that ha
been married in ireland even then the
desired ne to marry her. | wrote to m
wife 60 meet me at Eas,on; l failed to NEE
! her there a. arranged, out met her u
Mauch Chunk walked to Penn Haven
. took the cars to Hazleton and talked tn
whole matter over. On the road frol
Mauch Chunk to Penn Haven l propose
to kill myself, but she would not consent {,
r it. After this l was nearly crazy wit
: trouble, and told my wife that she ha
' better 60 back to Mauch Chunk and sta
till Friday. She started, but the cars no
G going through she got off the train. Th;
she went to Mrs McKelvy's in Haz!eton.-
;, ! met her next day; in the evening too
her back into the woods; said nothing abou
> killing her unit! got her there, and NJ
4 then till shot her. Even after being >ho
e in the breast, she would have escaped fror
= the effects Of the balls, if had not attack
d ed her Immediately with knife and cut he