The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-02-15
THE SCAFFOLD,

Execution or Whelan. the Murderer OF
D'Arcy MCGsee, at ottawa, Canada
Cause of tho Crime-The Trial and Con =
viction-Statemcnt OF the Prisoner.
A dispatch dated Ottawa, Canada, February
IL, gives the following account of the execution
OF James Whelan, for the assassination of the
Hon. Thomas Darcy McGee:
THE CAUSE OF THE CRIME.
An Irishman by birth, and of very respecta-
bic parentage. Thomas Darcy MCGEE at an
early age emigrated to the United States, and
journalist in Boston. After the lapse Of
came attached to the Dublin Nation,
but being in some way connected with the
revolutionary outbreak OF 184S was compelled
to leave his native land and seek refuge in the
United States. He remained in New York for
awhile, and then removed to Montreal, where
he ever after resided. In Canada Mr.. McGee
from being warm republican became an ardent
royalist. When the Fonian movement COM
menced, he severely denounced and used oil of
his influence against it. The position he took
on this question made him unpopular with the
masses Of his countrymen in the United States
and Canada, and he was either expelled or
forced to resign his nom oership OF the St. Pa
tricks Society of Montreal. AS later develop
position to the Fenians plot was formed to
assasslnate him.
THE MURDER.
At half past two o'clock on the morning of
the 9TH of April last, Mlt McGee left the Par
Lament buildings at Ottawa on his return home
been night session, afsf' ment, and he fad
delivered o very able and XA2ue1t speech.pn
the subject Of the attitude SYNSahyA Scotia TO-
ward the Dominion. A haihbsa ofpersons left
among am them Il lad % named william fTotter, ONE one
of the pages OF the House of Commons, and q
son of Mr.. McGees landlady. Just before
leaving the Parliament grounds the report of O
ing near, his mothers house. he found
the murdered man lying on the sidewalk.
He Immediately gave the alarm, and on
persons reaching the scene Mr.. MCGEE breathed
a. few times and then expired. Soon after
tried and convicted. Every effort was made to
have. the, sentence niLigated, but without
avail. When the unhappy man ascertained
that there was no hope he turned his attention
70 religion. Catholic priests and Sisters Of
Mercy were constantly with him, administer
ing those religious consultations which are so
valued by persons OF his faith. His behavior
was uniformly quiet and good.
THE EvENTFUL MORNING "A LARGE CROWD IN
ATTENDANCE.
The day was mild and sunshiny the sky
blue and clear. At an early hour there was
small appearance of q crowd but by nine peo-
pie began driving in from the country, and be-
fSre ten, suddenly, as if by magic, fully ten
thousand we're gathered. An unusually large
proportion were boys and women. At the par
loE windows Of the few respectable hous es
Which dot the open country behind the Jail
overlooking the scaffold were gathered many
ladies' OF high standing. Police and soldiers
could not keep them clear. Inside the court
were two companies of troops, with fixed
bayonets and loaded rifles.
TIE PRrsoNERs LAST HOURS ON EARTH.
cIoee Mhelan n1a passed bad night. Abont seven
into an agony Of tears crying thas a God So si had
fersaken him, and that he must die flr IA, other
mans crime. The Rev. Fathers O'0onnor and
Tabaret, who, with the Sisters OF Mercy we're
unremitting in their attendance, tried to cheer
him with the consolat:0ns of religion. and he
paytook Of the holy sacrament. Afterwards he
fell into troubled sleep, occasionally crouch
watchers to save HIM. He had bidden fare
well to his wife affectonately in the evening.
At six O'Clock this morning he awakened, had
q. cup Of coffee, some toast and eggs, and passed
Wild burat % Of Gas varied y
exhorting him to courage. He dressed care
fully in black, neatly brushed, with polished
boots and green tie. In religious exercises
ti tne time passed until quarter past ten, when
the executioner arrived and inspected the pre-
parations. Whelan in his corridor, surrounded
by the priests and nuns, fell on his knees and
fervently recited prayers after Father O'Con-
nor.
THE OFFICIALS AND EXEOUTIONER
The corridor doors were opened and the
sheriff announced that the hour for the execu
ton had arrived. All heads we're barred. and
some OF the spectators within the prison were
deadly faint and sick. The sheriff was dressed
in black, with q cooked hat and sword; the
Jail governor in black. The executioner was
clad in blue jacket and pantaloons, with q
striped red and white cap. His cape was
closely swathed with black Grape. He was
young, 1.-the and active. His hands and feet
the Grape, were delicate as those of woman.
and q woman many take this executioner to
have been:s
ARRIVAL OF THE PRIsoNER-H1s SPEECH.
Whelan walked firmly although his mouth
twitched nervously, and the fingers Of his pin
1oned hands stroye to grippe each other hard.
sponded mechanically, in voice that was
trembling and husky: .'Christ have mercy ' upon bon
u.s." His eyes and cheeks were swollen. but
his face otherwise pallid. He advanced to the
my Frsends and FeltO:o-c -countra,naen st adj
dress few words to you upon this solemn oc-
caslon. hope you will pardon this my offence.
Ihls . is my hope-that you will forgive me.
ask 1T from the bottom Of my heart in this SOL
smn hour, and from all whom I have injured
by word, act or deed, ask forgiveness forEthe
same. God save Irelandl God save my soul ~
THE EXECUTION
The executioner drew down the cap over his
eyes and placed the moose round his neck. and
with his WHITE, dry lips still mutterlng PRAYER.
when least expected, the drop fell and Whel an
was launched into eternity. He fell six feet.
His feet kicked together once His body
yibrsted for less than minute and he y as
uead. Inc drop fell at nine minutes past
eleven O'Clock precisely. The crowd dispers ed
most quietly.
A@-ALL ARTICLES SOLD FROM TIE
establishment Of WIN. s. OoRwIN CO., No. 27b
King-street between Wentworth and Beaufain, are
of the FIRST QUALITY. They sell no goods but what
can be warranted as PURE AND GENUINE. Thisis
an established fact.
* 85- WE ARE CONSTANTLY RECEIVING
from the Moyune Districts Of China the choicest
chops of GREEN AND BLACK TEAS Of new seasons.