The New York herald., 1871-02-02
THE GALLOWs.
Execution Of John Hanlon, the
Philadelphia Beast.
BE Neither Denies Nor Admits His
Guilt Forgive AL l"-The
Last Act in the Tragedy.
MoYAMENsING PRISON,
purIADEJPHIA. Feb. !, 1871.

John Hanlon, "the Philadelphia BEAST" was
hanged within the corridor Of the convict Depart
ment Of this prison this morning.
The greatest excitement prevailed IN the city all
day, and the gates Of the prison were besieged at
an early hour by q curious crowd, eager to catch
GLIMPSE OF something connected with the execution.
II one OF the officers Of the prison showed himself
near the door he was an object OF general interest
and remark; he was looked upon as one who had
lust issued from the tomb. The crowd increased
every moment, and when Sheriff Leeds and his
deputies, jury and members Of the press arrived a
hush like the silence OF death came over the vulgar
throng that blocked up the entrance to the prison.
With stupid gaze they looked and gazed at the party
"a It entered the wicket until the last one had
passed In and the door closed for to-day human
life was to be taken, and the movements around the
prison must be silent. "This Is not visitors day;
shut the door softly" said the superintendent We
take few steps toward the grated window and
peer down the corridor. Yes there 1t is in all its
hideOus proportions, the ghastly instrument Of
death, partly yelled from view by the white sheet
that had been laid over 1t to shut 1t from the sight
Of Hanlon's relatives yesterday. 1t was kind
heart indeed that prompted 1t.
The prisoner did not wish to see his relatives on
the day Of execution. "Leave me to my religious
advisers on that day." he had said and his request
was complied with. His family called yesterday
afternoon, and at his own request they took leave
Of him one by one.
TAKING LEAVE OF HIS FAMILY.
Yesterday was bitter one to the Hanlon family.
Theirs was the most trying ordeal that humanity
knows-taking leave forever Of q relative--and how
bitter indeed when that relative is q condemned
felon with but twenty y-tour hours between him and
eternity Who can measure the anguish Of a
mothers heart under such circumstances An only
hvxpr ofo aofan ;v1fo
on whom he afterwards satisfied his worse than
beastly lust. The annals Of crime fail to furnish
parallel case.
The first to say farewell was his girl-wife- mar
ried at thirteen, widow at sixteen. The parting
interview was very affecting and it was with diff
Guilty that she could be parted from him. 20
John" she moaned, 'can 1t be that you have come
to this! My poor heart is broken. Oh, that might
die with you and we might hide our grief and shame
in q common gravel" Poor girl, yours is indeed
hard lot; tits fearful blight that has come upon
your life. Next came the sister OF Hanlon, Mrs.
Kelly. Her anguish was, II possible, greater than
the wife's. She embraced her wretched brother
again and again. nor would she leave him until
gently yet forciby removed from the CELL The aged
father, his head inclined and his face bearing
evidences OF the agony Within next entered the
presence Of the doomed son. 1t was the first time
he had been to John since his Incarceration. He
tried to look stern but human nature was too weak
face to face with the who had brought dishonor
to the house and broken the hearts OF those who
ished him from infancy to manhood. The old man
gave way. For nearly an hour he spoke not word,
but leaned the breast OF The guilty and soboed
as II his heart would break. He could not speak.
The time arrived when he must leave. Repressng
his sobs he gave John one last despairing look last
embrace, and murmured, "Goodpy, goodby yere
old father gives We his blessing. lie then departed
and joined the group in the corridor.
And now the poor old mOther-she who had never
ceased TO hope against hope. to leave no stone
turned that could secure the acquttal OF the darling
Of her heart, had spent cheerfuly every dollar
she could possibly raise In lawyers fees for the past
two years for her only boys salvation from an gno-
Let us draw the veil Of silence over what passed
between them. That interview was not for the
world. More than an hour they remained
hardened until his mothers woe opened the nood.
gates OF his soul. Even he, bad he was, could not
Withstand mothers woe. 1t seemed as II she
would never leave him alive. She returned again
and again, and being informed that she must part
with ner son, she gave an agoniZlng wall anu fell
to the door insenslbe. She was removed from the
cell, restoratves applied and then carriage hav.
ing been sent for she was, with the other members
Of the family taken home.
THE DAY OF EXECUTION
in the sky, and the atmosphere within and without
was damp and foggy. Hanon arose about six
O'Clock this morning, and remarked to the keeper,
gloomy day" He then dressed himself and engaged
the keeper in conversation on minor topics until his
took bite ofmeat, small piece Of bread ana q
little coffee, and awaited the coming of
who aTrVea aban as nv
an assistant Hanion engaged IN prayer with the
priests, and afterward expressed himself as enter.
tanning hope of forgiveness in the life to come.
WITHIN THE PRISON
the regular duties Of the day being performed,
scrubbing and cleaning the floors Of the corridors,
lngDeCt1On A
the further end OF the building whstling
lively dtty known to to the the initiated ~ @ as ..My Mary
sve silence thai was hanging over ALL and it grated
harshly on the ear. Yet VINO could blame hims SO
precauton taken at this institution, that doubt II
he knew there was to be an execution within twenty
fore Hanlon. VIII venture to say that he never
heard OF the affair. Newspapers are q COntraband
article in Philadelphia prisons.
SHERIFF LEEDS
arrived about ten O'clock accompanied by the jury
and members Of the press. Hanlon was at the time
engaged with his spiritual advisers. Sheriff Leeds
decided to give him another hour, at the end Of
which time, eleven O'CLOCK, the procession was,
where halt was made and
HANLON APPEARED,
dressed In brown coat and brown pants, his hair
carefully cOmbed back and carrying q crucihX
before him. He was accompanied by Fathers Barry
and Mooney. The procession then resumed its
Perkins. The condemned comp0rted himself firmly.
AT THE SCAFFoLD
Hanlon and the clergymen kneeled and the liturgy
OF the Blessed Virgin was recied, hanlon making
the responses with apparent earnestness the prayer
being led by Father Barry. The remainder OF the
party stood around silent spectators or the scene
AFTER PIE PRAYER.
Father Barry remarked that Hanlon had nothing
to say but desired him to say for him that he wished
to return his thanks the prison icias ana also
70 his counsel for their many acts Of Kindness to-
wards him.
HANLoN THEN STEPPED FORWARD
and, with much emphasis, said
TO those who have ever injured me or have ever
done me any wrong forgive them, and ask God to
forgive them; and all whom have injured in any
way whatsoever, or against whom have had any
iii feeling, ask their forgiveness as ask God to
forgive me.
THE MOOSE WAS THEN ADJUSTED,
and the white cap pulled over Hanlon's eyes, and at
swung apart, and the soul of Hanon the child mur.
derer. was launched into eternity. He fell four and
nalf Feet and died without q struggle. The body
hung about twenty nutes, when 1t was cut down,
and life pronounced extinct. The body was given
70 the relatives. Aad thus ends the mortal career