The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-01-07
EXECUTED.
William N. WOelley Expiates the MURDER
OF HartshOrne Fleming on
the Scaffold.
Ih9 fcsne Inside the Jail-LeSts
Interview Between Father
and Son.
FROM NEW JERSEY.
Special Despatch to The RVentp0 Telegraph
Pardon Refused.


FREEHOLD, Jan. 7.-Governor Ward refused
to grant the application made by Ex-Governor
Parker to convene the Court of Pardons for the
purpose Of considering the propriety OF COM
mutlng the sentence of William NJ Woolley,
who was convicted OF the murder of HartshoIne
Fleming, to imprisonment for life. Conse-
quently the outraged law OF New Jersey was
vindicated at noon to-day by the execution of
the prisoner Woolley.
The Hanging
took place in the Jail yard, and was witnessed
by about i've hundred people, who had cards of
admission granted to them by Sheriff Patter-
son. There were but few people congregated
outside the prison walls; in fact, If one were
passing the Jail he would not have suspected
that anything unusual was transacting.
The Prisoners Last Night.
TIE prisoner passed quiet night, and up to
retiring was attended by the Rev. A. 8. Dealey,
Episcopalian, and Rev. ]. II. Brooks Metho-
He Declares His Innocence.
He arose at an early hour this morning and
partook heartily of breakfast. He then read
awhile, and was again waited upon by his
spiritual advisers. Last night number OF gen.
tlemen visited him in his cell and held a short
conversation with him. He related his former
associations, that he was prepared to die, and
that he knew nothing about the shooting of
Fleming, and that If he did shoot him he never
so intended. He also detailed q short nara live
of his life.
The SheriE's Preparations.
Sheriff Patterson, who is but a new hand.
having only taken his seat In November last,
made the most ample preparations for the exc.
cution. The prison walls being low, he had 8
series of boards nailed on top, that no one
could witness the scene from without He
erected the instrument of death, which con-
sists of the weight and pulley, yesterday. and
then submitted it to a test.
The Scan0ld.
This same instrument has been used twice
before: in 1868 James p. Donnelly was executed
for the murder of a man named Moses, at the
Seaview House, at the Highlands, N. j.; aud In
1868 Peter e. slocum was hung, for the murder
| Of his wife, at Lopg Branch
| The Meeting Between Father and Son.
About 10 O'Clock this morning the prisoner
| was waited upon by his son and two sons in
| law, the first time they have seen him In about
thirteen years. They remained with him until
| he was taken to the scaffold. They had a con-
versRtion together, after which the Rev. Messrs.
Dealey and Brooks continued the religious
rites The meeting between the father and son
| was indeed most affecting, Notwithstanding the
| enlargement of so many years. The sons-in.
| law are fine-looking, and their dress betokeu
| that they are soclaIIy iaf ABOVE tne1r doomed
father. .in-law.
| Proceeding to the ScaHOld.
| At halfpast IL o'clock Sheriff Patterson noti
| fed the prisoner that the hour for his proceed
| ing TO the scafoId had arrived. Woolley, after
| a sh ort prayer, arose from the bench and left
| the cell, supported by his spiritual advisers
| The procession being formed headed by Sheriff
Patterson, 1t moved slowly from thejsil through
| the main building into the yard, over which
| there was thick coating flce.
| Over this pathway OF ashes had been
| formed so that walking was rendered com
| paratively easy. Prior to leaving the cell the
| moose and cap were placed on WooIey. and his
| arms were pinioned on arriving at the scaffold
! The Final Scene-The Death warrant.
| Sheriff Patterson then read the death war
rant. The prisoner bade goodbye to his son
sons.in-law, the clergy men, Sheriff. and ex
Sheriff Sutphen. who assisted the Sheriff In his
up pleasant duty. Two minutes after he haC
been placed on the scaffold the moose wal
affixed to the rope and the cap drawn over hi!
face. In almost a second, the rope sustaining
the weight was cut, and Woolley was
| Hung.s
| After dangling for about fifteen minutes, the
| body was examined by DIR. Vought, assisted by
several physicians, and life being pronounced
extinct, the body was lowered and put into
| coffin.