New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-03-11
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
TIE DEATH PENALTY.

AT 01O o'clock yesterday morning, John
Shomas the negro murderer, suffered the extreme pen
atty of the law in the Tombs PrisonYard, surrounded
by about rs officers OF the law, and equal number of
surous spectators The crime for which he died the
shooting OF Walter Johnson on the night Of Sept go
1870 during dispute regarding the loss OF umbrella
which he had loaned TO his victim. petition. signed by
the Rev. Henry Highland Garrett Aaron NJ Powell,
william F. Tomlinson, William p Powell. and others, was
rent TO Gov Hoffman Wednesday asking Cor the COM
nuaon Of the sentence Of Thomas from death to Inn
Frsonment for life The Governor replied that In his
Srnion, after careful examination of all the facts in
e case, he could properly interfere with the son
tence
Thomas remained TO the last firm, cool, and unmoved,
he has been ever since his condemnation, and while
exhibiting bravado. impressed those who witnessed
his death with admiration for his dignhed bearing and
perfect serenity His last night upon earth passed
mostly in prayer and meditation, Father Duranquet re-
uauing in the cell, and adding words of hope and
tort At O'Clock Thomas laid down upon his couch
without undressing and fell into itfl, uneasy slum
Der, from which he awoke about hafpast g.
and dressing himself in neat suit OF black
given him by Mrs Rackster Of No. 27S second-avep
resumed his devotlons At O'Clock Mark Finley came
and az GEO. accompanied Thomas 10 the chapel, where
mass was celebrated by Father Duranquet Thomas
paid solemn attention the service manestng however
emotion. At7 the Rosary said Thomas. being an
uneducated man, could not read line and during the
recital Of the Mysterie Of the Cross and the stations
wayto the Cross the burden Of what was printed
was exemplifed to him by pctuTes with which the vol
urue was flied.
Meanwhile the usual curious longing amless crowd
gathered IN little knots around the Tombs on Centre and
Franknsts and morbdly waited for the hour to come
although tLey knew the CHASTITY scene would DC hoden
from their SIGHT. more appropriate morning couiu NOT
have been fixed upon. The atmosphere was foggy the
damp striking chill through the clothes the streets
were muddy and sloppy, and the was hidden behind
thick clouds, making the day extremely dark ana lot
bidding At o'clock Capt. Kennedy, at the head OF $50
officers, marched around the prison, disposng
his men so as to barricade tho approaches
on Centre and Em-sts, and sending squad upon the
roof OF the Harlem Depot prevent the too curious from
obtaining Wow OF the proceedings within the yard
The police force consisted OF all Capt Kennedys avail
able command with detachments from the First Second
Third Fourth, Fifth, Eighth, Fourteenth and Twenty
seventh Precincts and sufficient to preserve admira
bic order. The regulations strcter than at the
previous two executions, no person being allowed to
pass the lines Centrest without his ticket OF admis-
sion. Tie privileged spectators Of the Special Sessions
DENIED their usual luxury Of gazing from the win
doTs Of ne Sowtro9ms, by request OF Sneih 2re,
nan 10 tAe JUDGES OF 1e speCdl nSI 'o e
doOrs be kept locked Tie windows also screened
by the pension Of sheets. At s. O'Clock ShernBre-
man, al TIE AC.d o. ms deputies 1leLeu tn'1 te !au'
and took possession OF the BODY OF the cfllh-
NAL A few, minutes later the reporters , were
admitted, and took their customary seats beside
the scdlli then the outsiders who had passes entered
deep would permit. The interval OF suspense was
passed ia smoking ami chatting To the individual VINO
has execution there Is strangely
feeling suspense longing 10 have the h0rrld scene
come and be with the minutes slowly pass,
y trembling OF the hands, with some falntness ensues
and less nervousness Is e&perleneed Inc un,
minated always seek TO conceal their eplaaon ~ an
ALectatOn of haTdlAO0d, which Is so evidently put on
that it seldom dcCeiycs any one The realty is ny no
terrible as the anticipation OWING tOa sTdngo
request of tie condemned man, only Single negro WIS
allowed be present. TINS MS bafDel, VINO hdu
been knd 10 MIN, and in whose favor lie made an eAee
tiOD.
At9:o5 as the procession appeared, headed by the
Sheriff and his deputies the rain began to fan in torrents
At the hushed cry Of There they come" every head
was uncovered and all eyes strained 70 see the con-
cemued man. who walked firmly forward with his eyes
fixed the cTucifx which he held in his hands as well
rs his pnioned arms would permit. AS he approached
the scaod he raised his eyes and looked calmly at the
moose He then knelt beneath with his spiritual coun
selor and after couple Of minutes spent in prayer
arose kissed the crucidx, the knot examined and
the moose fastened the black cap was pulled down over
his face and AZ 9O the body of the criminal prang into
the air The remainder OF the sad scene was an enactment
OF thc usual sckening death struggles which we're yio
lent and continued. At 9:16 the heart was beating
strongly and when Dr. Neelis approached and laid his
hand upon the pulse the body shrank and the agonznS
struggles were renewed. AT 9:4 the heart was stu
beating and the body contracted At 927 the pulsatons
had ceased heard family 20 seconds later At
e:5y the body was placed in a handsome ornanented
coffin which bore upon il the right name Of the deceased
JoLu Thomas Rosearie" and after the COroner's Jury
had rendered the usual verdict the body was hurried
away TO Calvary Cemetery