The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-09-07
BUFFALO.
che Msrder of nis Gother.

ExStuIMOn 81 Eo3KnCA XobrIBSry AVE
the Murder Of his Mother.
BUFFALO, n Y, September 6.--The
execution Of Patrick Morrissey. which
took place in the Erie county jail yard
in this city, to day, is snotsble instance
of swift justice. The crime for which
he suffered was that of numbering his
mother in the course ofa drunken spree
on the 10Th OF June last. Two weeks
later he received q sentsnce of death,
since which time his counsel did all in
their power to save the unfortunate
man. He claimed that he was truly
penitent and that the crime WAS unpre-
meditated. Since his sentence he has
received only the Priests and Sisters Of
Charity. He said thst he did not wish
to have it understood that he died
game. He hoped to die truly . Chris.
tian.
The prisoner passed bis last night in
conversing with the Deputy Sheriff, and
night watchmsn OF the jail until II
o'clock, when he went to sleep and slept
soundIy till 6 o'clock. He then par
took OF hearty breakfast, appearing
cheerful and tAlkative. At half past
8 o'clock his two, sisters and his
brother-in- law were admitted to his cell.
A little later the Priests and Sisters of
Charity called on him and remained
until the hour arrived for his execu.
ton. He made statement Of his life,
which will be published tomorrow.
The scaffold was erected yesterday in
the northeast corner of the jail yard,
consisting simply of q platform, con-
nected with a spring. allowing for q
drop OF six feet. This is the first seal
fold that has been erected and the frat
execution here for six years, the last
execution being that of Charles Caring,
who was hum January 5, 1866. The
Jail yard was rooted over with canvas,
keeping the outsiders from viewing the
execution. The Jail was guarded by q
large police force. Only about thirty
persons were admitted to witness the
last act in Morrissey's lite.
At Il:40 A. NJ. the Sheriff and his
deputies waited upon the prisoner to
conduct him to the scsffold. Morrissey
bade adiea to all persons in the jail,
kissing them all goodbye. His inter-
view with Jsffrey, who is under SEN
tence OF death, and who will be executed
on the 9th, was very affecting, as was
also his parting with the Jailor. Mr..
Harris. Mr.. Harris WAS struck by
Morrissey's good behavior since his con-
fnemeut.
At 12 o'clock the procession marched
from the jail to the scatfold under con-
duct of Sheriff Cleveland and deputies.
The Priests then performed the last Of
fees Of the Church, after which the
warrants were read. Morrissey then
readAa short letter handed to him by
the Priest, the substance Of which was
toAepent of his crimes and offer his
own life in atonement. He warned all
from taking the course he took, and
asked the prayers of those present for
his soul. lie then bade all goodbye,
and at exactly nine and one half mln>
utes past II o'clock the Sheriff touched
the spring and Morrissey fell six
feet, his neck being instantly broken.
The body swayed to and fro for half min
ute, and in three minutes no regular
pulsation or beating of the heart was
apparent After hanging ten minutes
he was pronounced dead by the physi-
clans present and placed in his coffin.
Morrissey never saw his coffin while
alive. The arrangements Of Sheriff
Cleveland were admirable.