The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1868-06-25
THE GALLONS.
Execution Of O'Farrell, the AssailaI
OfPrince AIfred-His Last StRtemen

Execution OF O'Farrell, the Assatlant
OfPrince Alfred-His Last Statement.
Sydney, n. $. W..(April 30), Correspondence Of the
New York Herald
The last stroke ofnine has scarcely struck
when OFarrell, the reverend father in at
tendence upon him, the sheriffs and hang
men (ofwhom there were two) slowly emer-
ged from the circular stone tower, in which
the men condemned 10 death are confined,
and walked in procession across the prison
yard, being separated from the spectators
by wooden barrier. Two iailOrs went
first, then followed OFarrell and Father
Dryer, then the sheriffs, and last the two
hangmen, on. of whom was n man of
extreme age, with long, white, unkempt hair,
and his body bent with age. OFarrell
walked along with a firm, steady, even
step, his chest thrown out, his head erect,
his whole demeanor that of q soldier about
10 be put TO death for some petty infraction
Of military discipline, rather than that of "A
murderer and n felon. He was dressed in
a suit Of some grey material, his boots
were polished, his linen spotlessly clean,
and his neck-tie neatly and carefully ar
ranged. To show the attention he had
paid 10 these minor niceties Of gentlemanly
morals, it was noticed by those who saw his
body after il was cut down, that his nails
had been carefully cleaned. His arms were
pinioned above the elbows, buthe contrived
TO hold a crucifx before him, as he march
ed slowly and steadily along, and
his lips were constantly moving, as
he murmured the responses to the
scarcely audible words of the priest. Ar
rived at the steps of the scaffold (Which
was a temporary structure Of black painted
beams) he Bnelt down for a few seconds by
the side of Father Dryer, and offered up
uuIas vu,. .waI.Il.r -, I..a 1870. -
earth. Preceded by the priest, he ran
lightly and quickly up the steps, shaking
of Indignantly the proffered arm of the
aged hangman, who seemed 10 imagine
that he was taltering. Arrived ON the
platform, he advanced at once 30 the drop,
and looking above he seemed to notice
where the rope wal attached and to calcu-
tate the proper spot upon which to station
himself The priest then took away the
c%rucifix, shook hands with him, and utter
ing a last benediction, left the platform.
The hangman then adjusted the rope, and
O'Farrell, after looking at the people below
for a moment, raised his face, which
perfectly calm and resigned in
its aspect, and seemed again TO pay. In
IN instant, however, the cap was drawn
over his head, the infirm andaged hangman
touched the bolt with his foot, and Oar
rell fell through the drop. When the body
reached the end of the rope there was a
silent rebound, and ii was evident that the
unfortunate man had been instantly killed,
the rope having shifted around to the back
Of tho neck, and the connection between
the spine and the head being consequently
severed by the shock. Death must have
been both immediate and painless.
A few days ago, after the execution, the
following statement, the last made on
earth, was gwen TO the public though not
with the consent Of the government.
Being now about 10 appear before my
Creator, l feel it my duty 10 give expression
to my heartfelt sorrow for the grievous
crime l have committed. From the very
bottom of my heart do / grieve for what /
have done. L nave hitherto said that | was
one of many who were prepared TO do the
deed had l not done it. / had not the
slightest foundation for such n statement.
l was never connected with any man or
body Of men who had for their object the
taking of the life of the duke Of Edinburg.
Never was l in any other than an indirect
manner connected with that organization
in Ireland and elsewhere which is known
by the name Of the Fenian organi-
cation. 1 wish moreover distinctly
TO assert that there was not
a human being in existence who
had the slightest idea of the object l had
in view when / meditated ON and, through
the merciful providence of God, failed in
carrying into effect, the death of the Duke
Of Edinburgh. i had written 10 the prin-
ters OF two Irish periodicals an address 10
the people Of Ireland, and 80 certain was |
OF the death Of the duke Of Edinburgh that
! stated therein that which believed would
be the fact and l think / have more than
implied that ! was but one of the organi.
cation to carry the same into effect. ]
need but say that the truth Of the latter