The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-05
THE oALLows.

0E 0AILOVSs
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Execution or n 1Iurderer In Cleveland, Ohio-<
Particulars Of the Crime-The Trial uns
Con Observation-Disclosures OF the C0nvict-ThU
CLEVELAND, Ohio, Feb. 4, 1869.
ON the 18th day OF September, 1858, the denzens
az this neighborhood were horrifed by the report
that a deliberate and cold-Dooded murder had been
perpetrated the evening before in the township OF
Independence. few miles east OF this place. David
p. skinner an honest industrious dairyman farmer,
had been murdered in his own household by BAH
from the pistol Of an assassin. From the facts OF
the case as afterwards ascertaned upon the trial Of
the principal In the crime, who has this day terrnl
mated his career upon the gaows, we CLEAN the fol-
lowing
CAUSE AND COMMISSION OF THE MURDER.
David P. Skinner who lived In the aforesaid town.
ship, had for some time been saving his hard-earned
money which, among other valuabes. he kept IN a
small iron safe at hts residence. This fact having
been ascertained by gang Of jailbrds In tins city
conference OF the fraternity was held. and II was
resolved that on the evening OF september IL an at
tempt should be made 10 break open the safe ana
secure the money, &C., deposited therein. Lewis X.
Davis, John l.. Butteraeld. Thomas MuhaI, William
Foliott and Robert McKanna were the individuals
who undertook the business, and on the evening
agreed upon they proceeded by way Of the canal to
SINNERS house, well proyiaed with pistols, bowie
knives. wedges, Iimmies &C., for the easy accom-
plishment OF their object. The ruiians arrived nj
Sklnners house about nine O'Clock p. NJ, and upon
gaining an entrance through the back door we're
somewhat surprised to ind two or three OF the
neighbors present, who had Glanced TO drop IN TO
'spend social hour or two with Mr.. Skinner and
fanily.r However, nothing daunted, the villains
who had tied handkerchefs about their faces 10 pre-
vent recognition. approached the bedroom occupied
by the party. One OF the scoundrels commanded all
Davis advancing with q cooked pistol, ana upon
Mr.. Skinner's attempting to rise rom tue beu
upon which he k ws sXnn
perate struggle at once took place between the IN
mates OF the house and the assassins, during which
all Of the latter made their escape. The whole oc-
currence was the work CT o moment and terminated
without the recognition Of any OF the assailanis.
ARREST, TRIAL AND CONVICTION.
The news OF the murder spread from house to
house, the Cleveland police were at once on the
se anu an on Roe a McKanns we're arrested and
placed In the city prison. Foliotr escaped and has
not been heard OF since. Mulhall euded the Officers
| tor time, but was finally arrested on the 10th OF
December, near Saratoga, N. Y. An immediate ex-
animation of the prisoners was made by the author-
ties, the result OF which tended to strengthen The
already existing suspicious that Davis was the prin.
| cipal In the crime. The accused were placed
murder in the first degree by the Grand Jury, and
| on the 10th OF November Davis was arraigned In
snd
evidence swore positively that they saw DAVIS fire
fatal shot, and the 23d the case was given TO
the jury, the defence Offering but little testimony
ON the oath after eighteen hours consultation, the
jury returned verdict OF guilty OF murder IN the
first degree" The defence made motion for q new
| trial their grounds being, among Others incompe-
tency OF several Of the witnesses Tor the State mis-
on and s paas 81 c ne hearings
and able arguments from both sides Judge Prentiss
refused new trial, whereupon the defence appealed
| to the Supreme Court In the meanwhile Davis was
sentenced to be executed on the Atm Of February,
| 1862
on the 10th OF January the motion for new trial
heard before the Supreme Court, then sittny IN
bank, at Columbus and on the 18Th the Judgment OF
| ton for q new trial overruled.
BEHAVIOR OF THE CONVICT.
All hopes OF Davis escape seemed now to have
case. Previously he had assumed an ar OF defiance.
| hut from the moment the Supreme Court decided
would he sullen and downcast, at others appear
more cheerful, yet exhibiting nervousness which
| which he was laboring. lie has slept weli eaten
heartily, and was very attentive during the VISITS oil
tine Eev n MT rector q ac q
congregations have been unremitting IN their atten-
tons to him. as have the Sheriff and his household.
| Davis was a married man. twenty seven years OF
age, had clear, open countenance-not q revenge
iul lookdark black eyes. dark hair, and stood i've
feet four inches In his stockings. He carriage
| maker and blacksmith by occupation. ana previous
to coming here two years ago. resided In Fredonia,
sheriff Frazee made all preparations for the execu-
ton several days ago. The tickets issued for adrs-
sion to the scene were few, the number allowed to
be present being limited by act Of the General Ar
sembly. The gall0ws which IL operated by lever,
Is the same used at the execution Of Parks Cooper
Hughes and Mcconnell, ana was built about
fourteen years ago. 1t La erected within the JAIL be-
| tween the onter wall and the corridor.
THE EXECUTION
l THE LAST HOURS ON EARTH
Yesterday morning Davis was baptized by his
| spiritual adviser He sat for photograph in the
afternoon, ate but little supper, his wife remaining
with him until nine O'Clock when, d last sad farewell
took place. From nine 70 two Davis wrote farewell
messages TO his friends. Shortly after two O'Clock
he attempted suicide with piece OF glass by OPEN
ing wen In his left arm, having failed in the at
tempt he sought rest but slept very little rising
early, drinking but cup OF coffee u breakfast.
Rev. Washburne called and engaged in religious con-
versation with the prisoner until Sheriff Frazee, q
few minutes after twelve announced that he was
| ready to carry out the sentence.
| THE EXECUTION.
About twelve the prisoner neatly dressed,
| accompanied by Sheriff Frazee, Rev. Mr.. Washburne
and others, assembled the gallows. Davis devoutly
knet with the minister who offered several fervent
prayers In his behalf commencing the soul OF tho
| condemned man TO Almighty God, In response to
the usual inquiry the prisoner announced that he
| had no desire TO say anything. The death warrant
| was read by the sheriff. handouts applied to the
condemned mans wrists, his arms and limbs securely
bound, and At twenty-eight minutes 10 one O'Clock
the body OF Louis X. Davis hung IN midair. "A few
short heavings Of the breast took place, when hts
body became violently agitated and all was over.
Hts neck was broken and eleven minutes after the
fail his pulse ceased TO beat. After hanging twenty
| three minutes the physicians pronounced life ex-
tinct. The body was lowered Into coffin and de-
livcred 10 the friends of the deceased. Davis made
confession to his spiritual adviser, the details OF
which are not made public.