The New York herald., 1869-02-12
He 4 ALL 0W S.
Execution Of Whalen, tho Murderer Q
Darcy McGee, at Ottawa, Canada.
Cause Of the Crime---The II A'lal
and Conviction.
STATEMENT OF THE PRISONER.

OTTAWA, Feb. IL, 1soa.
At eleven O'Clock to-day James Whalen, convicted
OF the murder OF Mr.. Thomas DARCY MCGEE, was
hanged in this city.
THE CAUSE OF THE CRr1dH.
1t vin be unnecessary to state who aud what the
murdered man was An freshman by birth
and OF very respectable parentage, Thomas
DARCY McGee at an early age emigrated to
the United States and for some time pur-
suedu the profession Of journalist in Boston
After the lapse Of few years he returned 70 Ire
land. became attached to the Dublin Nation but
being In some way connected with the revolutionary
outbreak Of 1S4s was compelled to leave his native
land ana once more seek refuge in the United States
He remained In New York for awhile and then re-
moved to Montreal, where he after resided. In
Canada Mr.. MCGEE attained high position In politi-
cal life, and from being warm republican became
an ardent royalist. When the Fenlan movement
commenced, he severely denounced ana used all 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 mem
bership Of the st. Patricks Society of Montreal AS
later developments prove, soon after he announced
his opposition to the Fenians plot was formed to
assissnate him.
THR MURDER.
7th OF Apru last Mr.. McGee left the Parliament
Buildings at Ottawa on his return home to his lodg
ings on Sparks street. There had been night ses
sion Of Parliament and he had delivered very able
and eloquent speech the subject OF the attitude OF
Nova Scotia toward the Dominion. number OF
persons left the buildings at about the time he
did, among them Q lad named William TrOtter,
one OF the pages Of the House OF Commons and q
son Of Mr.. McGee's landlady. Just before leaving
the the Parliament 1 grounds .ne report Of pistol was
house he found the murdered man lying on the side
walk. He immediately gave the alarm, aud on per-
times and then expired The particulars OF the as
sassination were given at the inquest held the sol
lowing day. Mrs. Trotter gave the following tes-
thought heard my son rapping at the door; got
out OF bed ana went to the door, thought ! heard
the door little way tS let 1im come EN- n faH but did
to see why he was not coming IN; while doing
SO ! heard the report OF . pistol and saw
open far enough to see what was outside but did
not look out: when saw the flash thought it was
some some o boys e coming n home with my son. VINO had
to look out; saw McGee In stopping position, ap-
parenty trying to rise he fell back instantly; then
Robitaille; he and some other D0arders came down
and went out; saw his limbs quivering but thought
minutes alter heard the report Of the shot tl
went out with the boarders; my son had not yet
come home; MCGEE had latchkey. which was
found In the door, heard voice noise Of any
one going away; the dash could not have been hall
yard from the door; MCGEE seemed to be in good
think Dr. Robitaie was the first VINO went out to
the sidewalk; did not see anything picked up
ARREST OF JAMES wHALEN.
large reward promptly offered for the arrest
Of the assassin, whom Suspicion pointed at az being
he was IL Inc habit Of rsaaentnT puSic honse
Mrs. Tr0tter's residence, and t was remarked
| that on some OF those. occasions lately he wore
nary. Whalen has, i Is avowed been Fenian
since he lived In Quebec, two years ago. Then he
Sullivan. He recently came to Ottawa and was en-
poyed by Mr.. Paegles0n merchant tailor, and other
prisoner Wna!en some few weeks since had con-
cealed In hts bed revolver, and during the time the
servant Of his boarding house was making the bed
she accidentally pulled the trigger OF the weapon,
BAN and cartridge. lodged ban IN her arm.
suspected him. Some detectives were telegraphed
for to Montreal, and the man was arrested. In
Of wSsS ssa been recently
existence Of poor D'Arcy MoGee 1tted exactly INTO
the chamber OF Whalen's revolver. When ne OBJ
served the police about to effect his arrest ne stag
gered forward - Il s.ricken BY lightning When
the murder he admitted having been at the Pariia-
ment buildings listening TO the debates
THE TRIAL AND CONVICTION
On the 7th OF September following the trial OF
whalen commenced The nrst witness examined
was a Frenchman named Lacrox, who swore
that he the prisoner shoot McGee. The evidence
grave doubts being expressed as to whether he
Ss re pewsrd ssasp osred the testimony
OF circumstantta character bore heavily upon Wha-
len His Whereabouts on the morning OF the murder;
other circumstances conducive OF belief In his guilt
were too much for the defence Without deliberatmg
guilty. They may have been prompted, to some ex-
tent by the strong prejudice against the prisoners
parent that no otner verdict could have been rem
dered. The unfortunate man was sentenced to be
hanged on the 10th OF December, is6s By the innp-
ence OF his attorney and others respite was OBJ
tanned until to-day, when ne sunered the extreme
penalty Of the law.
BEHAVIOR OF wHALEN.
Every EFFORT was made to have the sentence mit-
gated, but without avail When the unhappy man
ascerfained that there was no hope he turped his
attention 70 religion. Catholic priests and Sisters OF
Mercy were constantly with him, administering
those religious consultations which are so valued BY
persons or his faith. His behavior was uniformly
ago that he had attempted suicide; but assurances
have been given that ne never attempted M his life.
as she would have been had the rules OF the prison
been less stringent.
THE EvENTFUL MORNING. LARGE CROWD IN AT
The day was mild and sunshiny, the sky blue and
clear. At an early hour there was small appearance
OF o crowd. but by nine people began driving In
II BY magic, fully 10000 were gathered.
An unusually large proportion were boys
and women. At the parlor windows OF
the few respectable houses which dot the open
country behind the jail overlooking the scanold
were gathered many ladies Of high standing.
Police and soldiers pressed back the crowd rom
the wan, but could not Keep them clear Inside tne
court were two companies OF troops with nxed
bayonets and loaded rides Outside me jan val me
ground kept BY two battalions Of regulars Tue
volunteers, city police and Montreal water police
All OF the arrangements we're under charge Oh sperm
Powell. - <,--,- -
No one was admitted to the prison. Only SIX rep.
resentatves Of the press were accomnoua.ea IN sne
l drop room, the New York HERALD correspondent
having one ticket. About twenty gentlemen We're
inside OF the court yard. The crowd was orderly,
although now and then yeu was given anu sovu
deal OF laughing and joking went on.
The INSTRUMENTS OF DEATH.
The drop n IN recess In rear OF the jail. about
stoht feet suuare with fall OF six feet. The rope
used was threeiourtns Of an inch strand, new ias.
was an ordinary trap In the scaold. with awell oiled
bolt, shot by lever. .-
vvh.i.,, roaacd a had uiuhL About seven O'clock