The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-02-01

late act of the Legislature allowing a writ of
error to be fled at any time subsequent to a
Court to review the testimony in all such cases.
From the fact that this writ Of error was not
filed, il was supposed that the counsel did not
consider itworththeir while, but that they would
gain time, we'll as obtain greater notoriety for
themselves, by allowing the preliminaries of
the hanging to proceed even to the fixing of
the rope upon the neck of the murderer and
then to produce the writ in the face of the
Sheriff, and cause the proceedings to be stayed
But there was, happily no attempt at such
juggling, and the reputation of the law for
vexatious delays was not sustained.
Waiting for Death.
There being no intention to take advantage
of the writ of error in the case, and the appeal
made by Hanlon's spiritual advisers fora respite
not being pressed after the Governors first
refusal to listen to 1t, the condemned man could
do nothing but prepare for death in his misera-
BILE way. The curiosity of the public to
know more about the guilty wretch
was, as is usual in all such cases. great and
secrecy of his cell, to learn something of his
manner and talk. But warned by past expert
ences, the prison authorities not only refused
admittance to all corners, save the prisoners
spiritual advisers and immediate friends, but
even refused to drop word whereby the curious
public could be gratiied. The only exception
made was in the case of Detective George II.
Smith, who was sent for by Hanlon few days
logue took place-
Mr.. Smith-John, / understand you wish to see
me; what can do for you?
Haplon-I want to ask your pardon for the way
referred to you in court.
Mr. Smith-Certainly. never had any hard feel
iDgs towards you, John. can readily understand
what made you feel angry towards me. If you
think have any hard feelings towards you, John,
ask your counsel.
HSnlon (excitedly)-Don't say anything about
them (counseD; want your forgiveness and Tag
CARTS (Smith's partner; also tell Dunn that don't
wish him to think that have any hard feelings
against him you and knew how 1t was done IRE
ferring to the murder and Smiths agency in ferret
ing out the author, and don't want to talk about
it have but little while to live; the world is
nothing to me now and don't want to think about
it. I'll pay you that fifty cents borrowed of you in
the fall just as soon as some one comes to see me
Mr.. smith-Never mind that, John; don't want
it; let 1t go.
me do that. Rest assured that you shall receive it,
Again ask your PARDON and the pardon of every
one whom have wronged in my speech after con-
viction. Goodbye.
The condemned man himself frequently ex-
pressed readiness to meet his fate and his
demeanor was so collected as to warrant the
belief that he would behave at the last moment
with the same firmness thst he exhibited during
and at the termination of the trial.
The Machinery of Death.
Yesterday the scaffold was erected, not only
within the prison inclosure, but inside the
prison building at the end of the eastern cor
Hanlon was confined. This is the first time in
the history of the prison that the gallows has
been thus placed. Heretofore it has been in
the open space between the convict and the
female departments; or in the passage way
south OF the convict block. One reason
for erecting the scaffold where it now
is, was the fear that the weather would be
stormy; and another was to have the execution
even more private than it could be in the open
air. With all the care and watchfulness that
could be exercised, the top of the inclosure has
been reached, and executions in the prison yard
have been witnessed by many persons from
neghboring trees and housetops.
The gallows is the same on which Winnemore,
Probst, Williams, Eaton, and others were
hanged. 1t consists of uprights, with q cross
beam and hinged platform, supported by
props which are pulled away at the last moment,
the victim falling, and not raised to the beam,
as is done sometimes by means of pulleys.
There was trial of it in the afternoon, after
which the halter was secured, leaving nothing
to be done to-day.
The SheriH's Escort.
This morning, at half past 8 o'clock prompt,
the gentlemen who had been invited by the
Sheriff to witness the execution gathered in the
small hall of the Assembly Buildings. AS the
law requires that, beyond few official person
ages, all who witness such event must do it
as officers of the law, the non official gentlemen
were sworn In as the "Sheriff's Deputies" The
assemblage was, to avoid any sensation, kept a
matter of secrecy, and the gentlemen selected
to act were each furnished with card, of which
this is as near O fac-simile as we can here make
it,
Private.
Meet at 90 o'clock 4. M. sharp,
ASSEMBLY BUILDINGS,
South Room, Second Sory.