The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-04-01
principal points in the evidence which led to his

conviction.
LAST MOMENTS OF THE CONDEMNED.
His manner until ne retired last night about twelve
M. was cool, logged and determined and no efforts
of his spiritual advisers could draw a confession
from him. He arose this morning betmes and ate
moderate breakfast after which he had very arec-
ti0nate interview with his wife, but his children
were not present His wife remained with him until
near eight O'CLOCK when she retired to give place to
the priests, who administered the Holy Sacrament
to the prisoner, during which his wife walked dis
consolatey up and down the corridor OF the prison,
brown veil conceaing her features from all
gazers.
The immediate preparations for the execution,
under direction OF Sheriff Jesse Eagles, commenced
Shortly before eleven O'Clock, when the military
consisting OF two companies called the Siegel Guards
and York Zouaves, arrived at the prison. a fno
The scaod was erected near the centre Of the prison
yard, and could not be seen from any point outside
It Is the same one used in Lancaster in 1858 to hang
Two negroes, and contains drop platform worked
by roller and bolts. A large crowd gathered on the
outside OF the prison, composed Of men, women and
cnlldren and the military had their time occupied
In pressing back the thrOng from the gates During
the morning rumor was circulated and generally
credited That the Governor would Grant DOnavan
reprleVei Dut tnere was no real ground for the
report
THE PRISONER PREPARED
AT halfpast eleven O'Clock Sheriff Engies accom-
panied by the deputy sherifs and the reporters Of
the public press entered the cell OF the condemned
mdn anu one OI Tie prleStS proceeded with the last
religious rites The condemned man was dressed In
cashmere pants and blue jacket. He held an ebony
crucidx In his hand, and kept repeating "The
Lord have mercy on me-" and in pentent manner
threw MS eyes heavenward. slight tremOr was
visible In his frame, yet he was wonderfully calm
under the circumstances. He submitted to the
placing Of the rope around his neck without appa-
rent emotion, still keeping his eyes strained
upward. His arms were prnioned In the
CELL and during the entire time he kept mutterlng
prayers Exactly at twenty minutes to twelve O'Clock
the procession was formed the prisoner being sup
ported by Fathers Murray and Burmistier, and hold
Ing before himself the cross, emerged from the CELL
and was followed by the Sheriff. Deputy Sheriff and
the Inspector. During the walk to the scafYod the
condemned continued repeating, ''The Lord be mer-
cful to me-" "Lord have mercy on me, )" "God bless
my wife," &c.
THE coNDEMSED DECLARES HIS INNOCENCE.
He assembled the scaffod with firm STEP still
praying abstractedly. After he had reached the
platform the Sheriff asked him II he had anything to
say, stating that In case he had ''nOw the time
to do it," The condemned then faced the assembled
crowd and spoke as follows:-
II here stand In the presence Of the Saviour Of the
world, and am as innocent Of the murder as the
Saviour OF the world is. don't know who done it,
thing about the murder.n
While the Sheriff was fixing the black cap the
prisoner turned to him and thanked him for the
many kind acts he had done for him. He then said
"GOd be with you all. You are hanging an innocent
man. God bless my wife and children. will see
them hereafter" The platform was then cleared
ana the Door wretch stood on the brink OF eternity
FEW moments pause and the Sheriff pulled the bolt
from under the drop fell and the body Of william
the fall, and he died remarkably easy. There was
scarcely perceptible movement Of the legs and all
was over The body was left hanging the usual
time, and was then taken down for interment.