The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-05

John Real, the Condemned--Last Hours Upon
Earth-Final Attempt to Gain Re-
spite-Rears Last Appeal

The last DAY OF the unhappy Real IN this world mas
passed, and within few hours after these lines are
perused by the readers Of the HERALD he VIII be
summoned to the presence OF his Creator, victim
10 the memorable dctum OF the law. Two years
and twelve days have elapsed since that midsummer
night on First avenue when police oflicer John
Smedlck died by his hand. and over year ago the
memorable trial which lasted but one day TOOK place
Yesterday morning the ominous soaiIold
was erected in the Tombs, within few
feet OF the cell in which for many
a weary day and night the condemned prisoner
waited in vain for the word which would remove
from him the dread shadow OF the tree OF death and
give him chance TO spend the remainder OF his life
In solitude ana repentance Every effort that could
he made by MS counsel, eX-Judge Stuart; by his
other friends, By The clergymen who attended him
aud py those who thought that imprisonment for
life was a sufficient expiation for his crime, was
tried; but all In vain. The last attempt was tele
gram sent By two Catholic clergymen To Governor
Hoffman at Newport 10 gran. the unhappy prisoner
week g respite 10 enable him be better pre-
Stuart ana Sherir O'f;rlen was q dignied bat firm
denial TO interfere with the course Of the law The
sound OF the hammers putting together the tmDers
beneath which he Is to stand TINS morring, and
which VIII pass the rope that Will encirce his neck,
nwokc him Yesterday morning and reused him to q
sense OF the short span OF Lille allowed him. lie
visited at an early hour by two clergymen from st.
Peters church and by the good Sisters OF Charity
WHO have Stflven long and earnestly TO prepare
his soul Tor the last dread tribunal before which he
must stand. All through the day mis- demeanor was
that OF one VINO was fully prepared Tor the great
trial and whose soul was resigned 10 an inevitable
fate. In order not TO disturb this cain serenity OF
mind the prison officials mercltully spared him the
nniction Of Bohemian lnterviewels, who congregat-
ed outside the prison like nOck Of vutures the
scent Of death. He received inc news OF the
failure OF the last attempt To save
him with unwonted resignation and only dis
played emotion his expressions OF gratitude
towards those who worked so earnestly and perse-
verngly in his behalf Last evening he bade farewell
tearul, sad. af1ectiOnate One-with those he loves
and whose love for him was uncbanged-hs poor
father and sistersand the door OF his cell changed
him to be opened again this morning the last iime.
outside the 1ombs on the steps and beneath tA
and CHILDREN were huddcd, talking in hurried whis-
pers OF the dread tragedy OF the coming day. The
tenement houses OF The neghb0rhood were emp tied
OF their cosmopolitan, ragged inmates and the
moonlight fell In LicHerin2 rays upon awe-stricken
faces, merry children unconscious OF their proX-
unity TO death, and reckless, bfualized features
some OF the choice spirits ~ the Dangerous
classes" passed by trolling out some Bacchanaan
ditty. One or two Of the ''guardians' OF the
night paced on their beat, past the iron
ratings and gra1lle walls. within which
fellow beng was counting fine sands Of life fast
running out. Midnight at the Tomhs. with the
shadow Of the scafoid falling anwart the bleak cor.
ridOr It's victim IN his barred cell striving TO shut
out from his nina the terrible reality Of his position,
the never ceasing lum OF metropolitan lie without
minglng with the anguislied sObs OF father ana
sister, Ia subject TO reduce 10 seriousness The
velIest SCORER that ever lived