Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1870-06-30

DARNELL HUNG ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON.
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DARNELL HUNG ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON.
The execution of Edward Darnell for the
murder Of John Hogan, on the 10th Of March
last, took place at Dover, on Friday.
On Wednesday night last Sheriff Wilds quietly
went into the prisoners cell and found him loose
he, with the assistance Of fellow-prisoner
named Anderson, who was confined in the same
cell, having burned out the bolt which held his
chains to the floor. He was digging with the
bolt into the wall, and had made a hole almost
large enough to get his body through. Some
friends of Anderson had made an equally large
hole on the outside, and had the Sheriff post
poned his visit for half an hour both the prison.
ers would have been free. They were both then
heavily ironed and put in q more secure cell
The jail is an old dilapidated structure, and an
adept could pick out with penlnife.
Several petitions signed by all the prominent
citizens Of Dover and vicinity were sent to Gov
ernor Salisbury asking reprieve, but he refused
to grant it.
We visited the prisoner in his cell in the morn
ing. He told the same story that he has since
his conviction. He charges William Lopez with
committing the act, and acknowledges that he
OarnelD went with Lopez to rob the peddlar,
but denies that he had any intention of killing
the man and did not do it, and it was only after
scented to help drag The body to the mill-pond.
Rev. Dr. Hoskins the Episcopal Clergyman at
Dover, and Sheriff Wilds have both been very
attentive to the prisoners spiritual wants and
cOnVerheu anu prayed Wltn IlIil NJ tlinob.
This morning Rev. Dr. Hoskins prayed with the
prisoner, and administered the communion.
The scaffold was erected in the yard back of
the jail, nothing but rail fence obstructing the
view on one side and four feet high board
fence on the other.
About noon the crowd commenced to gather
and ut the time OF tho execution about seven
hundred people were present, many women and
children white and colored-grls and boys from
five to fifteen years old who acted like veterans
in the SERVICE
Immediately before and after the execution
Jokes were passed, and the people appeared to
view the scene with the greatest satisfaction.
About one o'clock in the afternoon service was
held in the prisoners cell, conducted by Rev.
Mr.. Hoskn after which the prisoner was con-
Quoted to the scaffold by the Sheriff and Deputy,
when the Episcopal service appropriate to the
occasion was read
and in clear voice said "Gentemen-It is
hard to die did not do it; William Lopez did
it went with him he told me he would pay
me for robbing John Young told me to go with
him, that would not be hurt; am not afraid
to de-"
After the speech was concluded, Sheriff Wilds
adjusted the cap over the prisoners head, the
moose frightened, and Edward Darnell was
launched into eternity at precisely twenty-five
minutes before two O'Clock. Falling about six
feet, his neck was broken in the fall, and about
half a minute after he fell he drew his shoulder
up, apparently and never moved after.
At eight minutes past two he was cut down,
and was laid into coffin.
The county has no public burylng ground, and
the sheriff asked permission to inter the body
in the colored cemetery at Dover, but the trus-
tees refused to allow the body of u murderer to
be placed in their burying ground and inmedi.
atefy after the execution, there being no friend
of Darnell there to claim the body, and as no
clue could be obtained as to who they are a hole
was dug under a tree in the Jail yard, and the
body placed in it.
Ever since the commission of the crime Lopez
has been residing at his home some twelve
miles from there and has been altogether undis-
turbed. But it is probable that he will have to
quit his quarters, as the colored people, herea-
bouts, all believe Darnell innocent, and are
threatening to wreak their vengeance upon him.
It will be remembered that Lopez was tried at
the same Court at which Darnell was convicted,
but as he proved an apparently good alibi, and
Darnell had told conflicting stories, charging the
guilt on others, he was acquitted.