The New York herald., 1871-02-14
TIE GALLOws CHEATED.


The Murderer Thomns Not ts be Hanged
on the 1sth-Tho Governor Has Respifcd
Him for Three Weeks-How He Received
the Intelligence.
The condemned murderer Thomas, has received
short respite. Ever since the day the supreme
Court decided to enforce the last penalty OF the law
Thomas has been in constant communication with
his spiritual advisers who have been with him at all
hours of the day to give him consolation and en-
c0uragement TO meet that grim tyrant, death; and
SO far as an outward observer could determine, the
cuiprit has made great progress with his religious
principles, Tor he seemed cool and resigned and on
Sunday last he hal arrived ar that state OF mind
when he no longer feared TO enter upon the unknown
journey, but expressed
READINESS TO WALK TO TIIB GALLows
and be sent into eternity. Notwithstanding the mp
parent nrmness or the Supreme Court, his counsel,
j. A. Goodlett, has been untring in his efforts TO
secure a reprieve from Governor Hoffman. An ap-
peal was sent from the American Minister at Hayli.
whence Thomas halls, and represented at tho re
quest OF Ex-Haytgen Minister Rackster, that the
Haytlen government has lately
SPARED THE LIVES OF THREE AMERICANS,
alleging that this was good ground for Secretary
Fish 10 his lnnuence with Governor Hoffman to
save 'lnomas life. Al meeting OF the Governor,
the District Attorney ana The prisoners counsel,
ON saturday last, the Governor listened pa
tenty 10 all The arguments adduced in favor
Oh the condemned man, but sad lie could not
see now he could interfere In this case ana the gen
temen separated without arriving AT any decision.
Again yesterday they met In the private OF the
supreme Court, and, after lengthy DISCUSSION and
the most earnest appeal TO save the mans life. Gov
send the result OF his reflection To the District Aor-
ney by telegraph.
In accordance with TINS arrangement
TIE GOVERNOR FORWARDED A DESPATCH,
AT hali-past three O'Clock In the afternoon TO the
District Attorney oice IN which he said he could
a nnn Ygl
sense OF the terms, but that he would grant space
| OF three weeks Lo transplre before the execution
should take place, appointing That In the meantime
| ION the I'D OF this monthl Judge Garyin ana the
| prisoners counsel should reargue the case before
luli bench OF The supreme Court, VINO are 10 deter
NINE II the error, as alleged the petition, can be
sustained, in order to secure the usual stay OF pro-
ceedings.
now HE RECEIVED THE INTELIIGENcE
! AS soon as the intelligence was conveyed to
Thomas at the Tonbs by mis- counsel and warden
SlaC0n, he seemed al once to throw OH that spirit
| OF melancholy with which ne has been affected and
| became cheerful and communicative, He al
lowed TO come out of his cell and warm himself by
the IRE In the corridor. While there he close
conversation with his fnend the eX.iayt ten Minis
| ter, and every now and tnen he broke out into
| hearty laugh and commenced taking some tobacco
The Information was passed along from cell to cell,
and in a few moments the muer corridor OF the
prison was in state OF profound "humr for all the
| prisoners came forward. and placing their noses
through the gratlngs evinced an intense interest in
Il GUESS HE wos'T SWING Now,n
said one OF these Offenders to HERALD reporter as
Hc WSS pdsSluU cell III which tuc lnulfQual
Gagged. and others made similar remarks, causing
the coored man to be quite nero for tho time
beng. Thomas, In reply To some questions, said,
~ WAS FULLY PREPARED FOR DEATH
but still, you KNOW, life sweet. should like
to live, but am not 'aieared' to die. wish could
Ieel THIS mas not upset my good determinations.
Mr. Stacom, VIII you allow me to remain down here
In this ere condemned cell. for here the priest
come in and pray with right straight along Yn
The warden assured nlm ne might remain in tnat
Cell IL he wished to do 80.
The news created quite stir throughout the pri-
sou, the stiffness OF building
turbed on all the tiers where that indlstinct
| hum Of q thousand persons whispering to each
other could be heard. 1t is not thought that the
counsel sustain the allegation OF error IN the
first proceedings but If he should be able to show
that an error was made In the evidence the life OF
his client VIII probably be prolonged for another
| year az least