The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-27

MOn1m0DD, was performed JnlS morning In MS
cell at Moyamensing Prison, in the presence of
Sheriff Leeds, his counsel, and two or three
other gentlemen whose official duties called
them thther, the Sheriff determining that this
solemn act should take place in the presence of
as few people as the circumstances rendered
necessary. 1t was conveying, in official
shape, the information to Hanlon that the date
of his execution had been fixed by Governor
Geary for February l. 1871. Never have we
seen man in the same position, and we have
seen many, who was so Indifferent to the dread
full announcement that he was to suffer the full
penalty of his crime by being hanged by the
neck until dead;" but more of that anon.
Yesterday William Il. Leeds, High Sheriff of
Philadelphia, received from the Secretary of
the Commonwealth the death warrant. He
Immediately notified his counsel Hon. Charles
Gilpin, that the document would be served on
the condemned man this morning. At a few
minutes past IL o'clock, the Sheriff, Mr.. Gipin,
and two representatives of the afternoon press,
one of whom was the reporter of THE EVEN
ING TELEGRAPH, left the Office of Mr.. Gilpin
and arrived at the Moyamensing Prison few
minutes after that hour. They were received
at the gate of the prison by Superintendent Will
liam Z. Perkins, who escorted them to his
headquarters.
On inquiry, it was ascertained by the Sheriff
that the two Mrs. Kelly, sisters of Hanlon,
were in consultation with him. The superin-
tendent then notified these ladies of what was
to transpire, and they adjourned to the Warden's
office.
sellor Gilpin, Superintendent Perkins, 2. f..
Carroll, Esq, junior counsel for Hanlon, and
the representatives of the press, proceeded to
the condemned cell, ,i.f that occupied by Probst,
Winnemore, and Williams The door was
opened, and the party entered. At the time,
Hanlon dressed in the prison garb, was stand
ing, legs crossed and thumbs tucked in the
armholes of his vest, leaning against small
table, the most unconcerned of all those there
assembled. His Indifference struck those who
had witnessed such scenes previously as being
of the most remarkable character. There was
l hotn lie iptr 60,
Sheriff Leeds by superintendent Perkins
1t was undoubtedly surprise to him, as sub
sequent facts will develop, but, in our opinion,
it would have made no difference in him, as he
is undoubtedly the most firm-nerved man we
have ever seen under similar circumstances.
He had quid of tobacco in his mouth, and on
being introduced turned around and walked to
bucket in the front of his room, into which he
spat before he received the extended hand of
the Sheriff. remayking that he had shaken his
hand prior. (rhis is accounted for from the
fact that the Sheriff was the first to enter the
cell, and Mr.. Perkins the last.)
Sheriff Leeds then stated to Hanlon that he
had received his death-warrant from Governor
Geary, which would be read by Mr.. Gilpin.
Mr.. Gilpn then read the warrant, which is
couched in the following language
THE DEATH WARRANT.
(Signed) JOHN W. GEARY.
In the name and by the authority Of the Common
wealth of Pennsy lvana, John w. Geary, Governor
of the said Commonwealth
city and county of Philadelphia, sends greeting
Whereas, At a Court OF Over and Terminer and
for the city and county of Philadelphia in this Com
| monwealth, at October term, a. ID. 1870. certain
| John Hanon, alias Charles E. Harris, was tried on
! an indictment for the crime of murder, and on the
| 18th day of November, A. d. $780, found guilty OF
the 10th day of December A. d. 1870, sentenced by
| the said court THAT John Hanon, alias Charles +.
Harris, the prisoner at the bar, be taken from hence
| to the jail of the county of Philadelphia from
! whence he came, and from thence TO the place OF
execution and that he be there hanged by the neck
! until he is dead.
No,o, therefore, This is to authorize and require
you, the said William r. Leeds, High Sheriff OF the
City and County of Philadelphia, as aforesaid, to
| cause the sentence OF the said Court of Oyer and
upon the said John Hanlon, alias Charles HaRlon,
alias Charles Z. Harris, between the hours OF 10
oou Of dnesSaV the t s Say of Kehrusry m v Dno
Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy
one, in the manner directed by the seyeny;fth sec
monwealth, approved the thirty-frst day Of March,
A. d. one thousand eight hundred and sixty, enti-
tlen IAN act to consolidate, revise and amend the
penal laws OF this! Commonwealth relating to penal
proceedings and hearings, and for so doing this shall
Given under my hand and the great seal OF this
State, at Harrisburg this twenty-fourth day OF De-
cemDer In the year of onr Lord one Thousand eight
| hundred and seventy, and the Commonwealth the
| ninety-1fth.
| secretary of the Common wealth.
During the reading of this document Hanlon
observed the same Indifferent air which was
manifest on the entrance of the party to the
! cell. Two or three times did he walk to his
! spittoon and spit in 1T, only to resume the
| same position of nORchdlanCe as spoken of
| heretofore.
On the conclusion of the reading Mr. Gipin
! remarked, John, that is the death-warrant of
the Governor, fixing your day of execution"
Hanlon, alter contemplating Mr.. Gilpin some
seconds-''That's the 1st of February;" and
| after lapse of a few more seconds, he uttered
| strongly and in an argumentative manner
| ''WhY, that's less than thirty DAYS"
Sheriff Leeds-Its little less than five
/ weeks.
Hanlon-Why, but, they always allow thirty
| days?
Sheriff Leeds-Its over thirty days
| Hanlon-But they always allow thirty days
! after man has BEEN
Gle did not complete the sentence but evil
IDENTIFY intended those present to understand
from the date of conviction.)
kSheriff Leeds-Do you have all the comforts
you want
Hanlon-Oh, yes have all that.
| Superintendent Perkins then explained that
he was in his custody until the day of the exc
! cution, when he handed him over to the Sheriff
/ Hanlon (to Sheriff Leeds )-What do you mean
! when you asked me if / had all l wanted
Sheriff Leeds-I mean all you eat, ets
Hanlon-Oh, yes all that.
Sheriff Leeds-I am desirous that you shall
| receive all the comforts you want.
Hanlon-Well, want my wife to see me
every day in the cell. She only is allowed here
| now once q week.
Mr.. Perkins-Tnats with the Inspectors. The
| rules only allow her to come once in ten days,,
but they have yielded to once week and /
don't think they will permit her any oftener.
Hanlon-I only want her. i don't want any
body else to come in here that often and /
think they might grant me the same privilege
! as they granted Eaton and Twitchell. Their