New-York tribune., 1867-08-30
BRIDGET DURGAN.
HER LAST NIGHT on EARTH-SCENES IN AND
ABOUT THE JAIL-PREPARATIONS FOR TIE
EXECUTION TO-DAY.

ABOUT TIE JAlL-PREPARAllONS FOR TIE
EXECUTION TO-DAY.
DIT TELsgRAPH TO
NEW BRUNSWICK, \. j., Aug. 90 80 New
Brunswick is tonight fun Of strangers from all parts of
the country in radius Of 500 miles, TO witness the
execution OF Bridget Durgan As 1 write in the tele
graph Office, can hear the tramp Of squads OF men be-
longing to the Sd NewJersey Regiment Rife Corps
detailed TO keep order at the hanging tomorrow II
feared that the enragcd pOpuace may. in the sudden
frenzy Of the moment take the law in ther own hands
visited the jail tonight where Bridget Is cOnhned-a
twQsOry brick building with brick walls l6 feet high
and din lights burning III the cell windows OF the
prisoners Ringing bell. Sheriff ClarksOn cautiously
peeps out and pulls back massive chain There is a
small stingrOOm with table, around which are seated
a dozen spapeT correspondents writing in hurried
manner The Sheriff quiet, cOuntryloONng parsonage
i, rc,ent a. Tombstone " No admittance TO sec the
prisoner l. written IN every Dc OF his face No one but
her spiritual advisers Fathers Rogers and Dugan Of the
Catholic ChJrch, belonging 10 this town, and Miss
Sullivan teacher Of the church, Of which Bridget
was member WIZ be allowed TO see her tonight
consents at the reporters may have look at the prison
ara ana slows small yard 80 feet square, with two
gloomy looking trees IN opposite angles Of the enclosure,
tho dark shadow Of ono " which the gal ws Of pine,
rough he"n 'iOm tic sleln own timber yard. 10 feet
high IN the two uprghs, aud ten feet in the cossbeam.
is erected The yard quite dark and the gahows tree
looks EA"-tN u the stdihsht u Is nuIdcreTs moon,
and hdes Itself away. From the interior OF the
ail comes the laugh and hum Of the prisoners voices
some are confined Tor larceny Others for drunkenness
ana such petty crimes Two three uniOrtunacs wan
der up ana down the whitewased stone corridors Amid
an ths voices lheie Is hesrd Que uncout, baIbac, gurg
ling sound ike the moan OF wild beast in pain. 1t
stre the painfully, and now and then has the ca
drnce " lost SOUL That IS Bridget DuIgan tonight.
She IS cOnversng with the turnkey. Is there many
people 0ut there T. she says pointing to the prison
yard. 4" Not many" the turnkey. what
are they saying about meF she asks ION, nothing"
50 answers the turnkey aud no seeks TO quiet her Then
she gives vent 90 the esame wild beast laugh again
taxes another pull at whisky flask which has been fur
surd hci ny some person connected with the pTisOn
guess lN take bath now; it'll do ME good" Another
hr'Ng't nom the whisky flask Then "A terrible
si'h No ~ thinking OF that night when she stole upon
pieces WIN = butcher kufe, despite the tears and
prayers OF hef victim. Now she y tuggiHc
~ me roots or her coarse black hair ike hend The
long night wakes and the lights cc corridor flicker
White walls OF the prison There are 10 cells i'm each Story
OF The prison. The prisoners stand at their cc doors
listening IN awe and terror TO the terrible conflict going
on between the lost woman and the shadow which the
destroying angel has cast before her she'll never
stand IL out" says of them. well" sand
another she'll get her iii ~ whisky any
lUWi wish ] had half Of her Compliant