The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-21
FIRST EDITION
THE DEATH PENALTY.
Execution OF john Kennedy for Murder,
at Cantor, n. n.

In Yesterdays TELEGRAPH there was given the
de aiIs OF the murder OF Tnomas Hand by John
Kennedy, at Canton, n; T., and che preparations
appointment, Kennedy exp ated his crime yes
terday on the scaflold. correspondent writing
from the scene says:-
reporter was enabled to visit the prisoner in his
cell on q day shortly previous to mis- execution.
He appeared in good spirits and couversed freely
upon MATTERS pertaining to himself. lie was
dressed in grey pants, knit jacket, and figured
vest, and wore white shirt, With striped
paper collar, and somewhat tancitul necktie.
On table in the corridor to Whlcn he was
allowed access was the representation OF cru
cihx Drawn upon sheet OF loolscap, at which
he had been at work, under which was written,
with trIhe of egotism, This was drawn oy
j hn Kennedy, in Canton jail, November, 1861"
Tue pr oupr admitted That he had made a
verbal confession OF his guilt on that day to the
District Attorney on receiving The assurance
that il he could implicate any ole else in the
affair hat stay OF proceedings would be oo.
tained and that he would be allowed to turn
evidence against him and receive a sentence of
imprisonment. He undoubtedly endeavored to
convince that officer that he had an accomplce,
but II seems that his story was not considered
worthy OF attention, as the main points OF the
evidence upon which he was conyctei led to
the conclusion that the deed was committed by
one LeTson alone.
The cell OF the prisoner opened upon corri-
dor, to which he was allo wed Tree access and
which overlooked the yard of the jail, where
the scaiold was TO be erected. Wbea 1t became
necessary to construct this instrument Of death
the jallCr proceeded to his cell for the purpose
OF removing him 10 another part OF the building,
in order to spare him the torture which il was
naturally supposed would be inflicted upon his
mind by percevng the preparations OF his
approaching doom. He was quick to divine
tie object of this, and earnestly protested
against being removed. "Do not thiuk," said
he, "that care for your preparations or will be
troubled by having gallows before me. am
not nj ade OF any such stuff" He was allowed
to remain and with the utmost GOODNESS viewed
its erection from his window during the day,
for the scaffold was a new one, executions being
rare occurrences in St. Lawrence county aud
occasionally offering candid and well received
suggestion TO the wolkmen engaged upon it.
He also desired to see The sheriff and requested
very particularly that ho might be furnished with
q lash OIL able suit OF clothes Tor the event, and
that above all, the best coffin that could be pro-
cured should be provided, adding that his friends
would pay the difference In cost between 1t and
a poor one, as they would dislike to have his
remains forwarded to them in a cheap one.
Every preparation was made, the eXecutioner
was present. the jurors assembled, and many
OF the invited spectators conRregated, aud Ken
nedy had retired to his couch in the full expec-
fancy that The mornings SUI would be the last
one whose light he would ever behold, when,
after O'Clock p. M. an order Tor stay OF pro
ceedings was served upon the Sheriff, and the
ex cutlon postponed indefinitely. Kennedy was,
of course, aroused and informed OF the cnange
in The aspect of affairs. The intelligence he re-
ceived very cooily, remarking that he was
"glad 10 hear it; but ii the thing had to finally
occur or he should be reprieved TO imprison-
ment Tor lite 1t would be better had il gone on
About twenty minutes past o'clock the pro-
cession entered the jail yard. Few persoas were
permitted to be present within the walls. AT
the hour stated the solemn procession entered
in the following older:-The jurors, sheriff,
deputies, prisoner accompanied by Roman
Catholic Clergyman reading the dying service,
chor sters reading responses, and policemen.
The prisoner was attirei IN a short woolen coat
OF a dark hue and pants of the same material,
white scAlloped bosom, without collar, and
brown and white stockings.
Being placed unon the scatfod and the services
completed, the prisoner silently bade adeu to a
few friends, and then shook hands with Sheriff
Tanner, bo impresslvely SAID, May God bless
your soul.n The black cap was then drawn over
his face, and at precisely thirty minutes past
one o'clock the signal was given by Deputy
Sheriff Whitney, the rope was cut. and as the
body shot upward heart-reudng shrek pierced
the AIR from au upper story window of the Jail,
TO which several female friends OF the prisoner
had by some means obtained access. His neck
was not broken, and death ensued by slow
strangulaton Lite was pronounced extinct in
thirty minutes, and after allowing the body to
hang SIX minutes longer it was lowered and
placed in the coffin prepared for it.