The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-12

nate o. me condemned, having frequently telegrap6sX
prominent parties IN hope that they might iniercedo
with tne Governor In his behalf. They stayed but
THE NIGHT BEFORE DEATH
At hfteen minutes past nine Messner was visited
BY snerlr Campbell, accompanied by sheriir Root,
or Tompkns county. DR.. Hovey and two Others.
Sheriff Campbell asked II ne would notlike to have
reporter sit up with him. as the Representative OF
night He replied that he did not wish to see any
| one connected with the press, as he would rather
his pulse and head and looked at his tongue. Find
my the Pulse beating low and regularly he said,
"Yes @ yUS re are ws u TTe Ia replied
him at quarter before ten O'Clock. AT ten O'Clock
Messner began reading bls "ExplanaLon or the
ten he was still reading and, q lew minutes later,
knelt down and prayed silently. AT halfpast ten
a,ive explaining to Onicer Payne VINO was atteild-
IN S%a s M q tie sfSsd Jesus
repened was saved and only he WHO dld not repent
o9 y Rna We A. oRa
and again. at q quarter to twelve, he knet to pray.
At five minutes TO twelve, The wind blowing freshly
through The crates n OF the open window he arose
for i've minutes and again began to pray. Al ten
minutes past twelve Messner asked 0acer Payne for
saving. 81 have good ways to travel tomorrow
and would like to
Marley gave him a small penKnife, which he
soon returned. At twenty minutes past twelve he
lay down. asking one OF the officers to call him at
i've O'Clock, adding, 81 nave good deal OF arrange
ments 10 MAKE ana must start early" Some I'VE
minutes later he arose and began walking about
He did NOT retire till O'Clock, When he dropped
into slumoer ana slept soundly TIL halipa hve Ia
the morning. Officer PAYNE then
and he at began to DRESS first bathing himself.
The wife of Onicer Markley came to ms room and
sewed button on his shirt and he was very parcu-
Lar 10 get new pair OF cotton socks which che under
llS best suit. which consisted n
pants and dark colored coat and vest with white
sr @ and sea ana
prayed with him Tor long time: Then religious
services, strictly private were held AT about nine
O'CLOCK, and when the services were concluded, Mr..
Wilson, OF Messners counsel appeared ana held an
interview with MIN. The scene at parting was very
men, One from Lockport one from the village OF
Webster and from this city, visited him, and he
HIS ENTIRE READINESS TO MEET HIS FATE.
He wanted to go, and said his ormenis would
after this and exhorLed MIN 70 place his faith in the
holy Church and supDlicate the saviour for forgive
then then entered ana Messnsr bade aim adlea, asking
| HIM to come and see hun executed. Ex-Sherln
in to the ce lie sa 70
Alderman Connolly he no. ed to meet him III anOtner
t h wor aez " amer ne oa sc tears
Otherwise he did not seem strongly affected
by the &c Of his lie aSG ms
sheriff, his son as well. as to the Jaor, Mr. +.
Beckworth, ana family, and officers Payne and Mark
ley the TWO last or whom he said, had treated him
with the kindness OF brother. AT half.past eleven
Father Payer began reading from the Bible Tor an
hour. No one was admitted, but when the steam
whistle in an adjoining planning mill blew for twelve
O'Clock he said, "My time is now snort on EARTH
die orgiving all men and trusting Tor forgiveness
our Lord Jesus Christ, who died to save a.n At
u quarter-past twelve
A PROCESSION FORMED
in the lower hall OF the jail, consisting OF Sheriff
James 3. Campbell and Under Sheriff Charles ].
PaTs Of e. q Of ss
eca Joseph ellis, Of Alleghany Root, OF T0mpkns,
Messner With his aiendan oics1s Marley anS
Payne, and Sis priest, rather Payer, and Judge Full
movea out to me JAIL IN full Of ne
many people gathered a1ous the vicinity and on The
sco e ocer sn 9e ens pSn ae
which inundated the platform. He was placed IN q
chair, immediately under the moose, anu his death
During the reading he remained impressive, with his
eyes liked on the platform. except for moment.
OF the reading he arose and shook hands with the
Sheriff, Judges TAILOR and other officials. friend
ASD
all my frsnas counsel George Repson and ". wiz
iorsIysn al my enemies from my any
peace viii leave You all ''' u"
An under sheriff then pinioned his arms and legs
with straps ana the moose Was placed around his
neck. It was Manila rope threefOurths OF an inch
Ill diameter, ana was attached TO larger one. This
rope, new one, was substituted for the old one
used at this jail made Of shoe thread by which q
number OF murdorerS were executed at this Jail,
well as at others In the midland countess Including
RullOH at BinghamtOn. He held
GILT CRUCIFIX
In his right hand, and showed no emotion when the
rope was adjusted around his neck. AS the cap was
drawn over h,s face, however, he trembled slightly.
The crowd which gathered closely around MIN was
aXitatcd by those endeavOring get closer, or 10
. obtain better view At precisely halfpas, twelve
the signal was given and the drop fell, the weight
striking the ground ana Jerking the man about two
feet from the floor. twas denied that the neck was
broken, though the victim died with hardly
struggle. One inmate and quarter after the weight
dropped the body exhibited slight spasmotlic con-
vulsons, the pulse being ct l20. Twelve minutes
ater there was no pulse, and at the expiration Of
twentysix minutes life extinct. Before his
death Messner requested that his body should I've
given TO Rather Payer, to be buried by the side OF
MIS- wife. according to written request in which he
curses any who snail prevent It's iulfment.
Some two weeks since eX.Sherif A. Sutherland,
Of Pltslord, showed 10 your reporter letter in
Messner's Writing, which had iew days previously
been slipped into his hauds BY the condemned. IN
which he begged him to convey to him
TWO OUNCES OF AQUA FORTS,
alleging that he wished to take 1t in order to pre.
vent death on the scafold. alluded to this ATTEMPT
to procure the means OF sefdesiruction in former
despatcn he sugge stei IN the note a plan TO intro
duce Inc actd for him without detection, and begged
nard lor IT, The aller last night informed me that
ne had told his attendants within few nays thai n
nc could get some aqua fOrts he could cat out the
oars VI his WINDOWS with 1t and escape