The New York herald., 1872-12-06
Hanging Of Henry Rogers for the Muir
der Of Policeman DOnOhue.
A Midnight Tragedy i'm
Battle Row."
The Prisoners Story Of His
Life and Crime.
INTERVIEW At TIE RAYMOND STREET JAIL.
The Preparations for the Execution Scenes
at the Jail Yesterday.

at the Jail Yesterday.
Between the hours OF nine A. M ana three p. M
to-day Henry Rogers will be executed in the yard
Of che Kings County Jail. Raymond street. Brook
yn, for the murder Of Policeman John Don0hue, OF
the Fourth street station. early on the morning Of
the 7th of July last The circumstances OF the
tragedy are probably still fresh In the memory Of
the readers OF the HERALD. The prisoner Rogers
and a number Of his companions all of whom had
been drinking In Neil McG0drick's barroom, on
North First street, between Tenth street and
Union avenue (the locality known as .Battle
Row'D, assembled on the sidewalk in front of
McGodrick's place and began to sing and other
wise create disturbance. 1t was then be-
tween twelve and one O'Clock in the morn
ing. Previous to leaving McGoldricks saloon
Rogers made the remark that II Oflcer
Donohue came along that way that night he would
'1ay him out but no particular notice was taken
at the time. While the party were singing Officer
Donohue came along and told them that that
would not do, and II they wanted to sing they must
go inside. McG0ldrick's place, however was closed
at the time. AS the officer turned to leave Rogers
drew club which he had obtained from Mrs.
McGoldrick and struck him on the head with It,
telling him to the pavement. witness described
the blow as being 50 powerful that 1t turned Dono
leaving the poor officer wetering in his own blood
and insensible. Rogers and the other members OF
the gang were arrested, but Rogers was the only
one tried. The others are now at large. This ID
the story OF the tragedy, briefly told.
SCENES AT THE JAIL YESTERDAY.
Yesterday morning Governor Hoffman, before
whom the final appeal was argued on Wednesday,
telegraphed to District Attorney Brtton that he
had decided to deny respite in Rogers case.
representative OF the HERALD immedia tcy repaired
to the Jail and found that the officials there had
not been informed Of the Governors decision.
They expressed no surprise at the result OF the
efforts OF the prisoners counsel, and in fact, had
begun the work Of erecting the gallows in the rear
OF the jail yard, almost directly opposite the con-
demned mans cell.
On the front door Of the Jail the OminOus notice,
mo visitors admitted to-day" had been posted by
the keeper, Mr.. Conraddy. large crowd of men,
women and boys, attracted by morbid curiosity,
hung about the front Of the building, watching
every person who had business there going in and
out AS the HERALD representative entered the
hallway the sound Of the workmen's hammers ana
saws were heard as they proceeded with the work
OF erecting the instrument OF death. The hallway,
from the entrance to the jail eXtendsright through
to the yard, and on opening the door leading to
the latter the gang of busy men ana the half
erected gallows were revealed to the sight.
THE GAILOwS
is the same on which Barney Friery, Real, Jack
Reynolds, the Spanish murderers Gonzales and
Peilicer), and other murderers expiated their
crimes. 1t belongs to the TOmbs, New York, ana
was taken over yesterday morning. The work
Of erecting 1t was completed about two O'Clock,
when tue wOrkmen covered 1t with canvas. ana 1t
will not be revealed again until il will be required
to do its terrible work to-day.
Rogers was attended yesterday morning by his
spiritual advisers, Rev. Father McElroy, Of the
Church OF Our Lady Of Mercy, and Rev. Father
ceptlon, Eastern district He was not informed OF
Governor Hoiiman's refusal to grant him respite,
and had therefore not abandoned all hope. He
was taken out or his cell to the dining room,
where mass was celebrated and he was then re-
turned to his cell. His mother poor, broken
down woman, and his sister. nearly his own age,
also called upon him, and upon leaving they wept
bitterly. Since his confinement Rogers has re-
ceived every possible attention from Keeper Con-
raddy and his assistants. He seemed to regard all
kindly, but was more intimate and confidential
Win deputy IA hn1a0ny T%n yuSDEasn,s Meyets; CELL,
Yesterday afternoon the representative OF the
HERALD sent In word to Rogers requesting an IN
fused to see any reporters but this time he sgni-
fed his willingness to see the HERALD representa-
tive, who thereupon repaired to his cell In company
with Deputy Meyers. Rogers occupies cell No. Ii,
the last on the middle tier, which Is always
eight by eleven feet, and lighted by small, mar
row window from which the occupant BY stand
be- been IL recently whtewasned an and otherwise pre-. pre-
sented clean appearance. The only furniture in
the room was small table, covered with religious
books cigars and papers, two chairs ana the bed,
which was narrow cot and mattress, right under
the window An attempt had been made to adorn
the uneven walls by displaying some cheap prints
there, which were mostly OF religious character.
Several newspapers lay scattered about the
boarded door. AS the reporter arrived at the
ENTRANCE TO THE CELL.
and the door swung open, Rogers Immediately
ana advanced towards him. The reporter entered,
when Rogers recollccted him as having been
present at the trial and offered him chair, and
aoil ~ 10 w fvtQ n IA nd
would have admitted him before II he had known
who It was that had applied to him.. He had not
then been informed that he had TO die on the NOR
row. and appeared to be in quite good spirits. He
complained bitterly at the treatment he had
two Brooklyn journals and then inquired II ne
looked anything like 'caged liOn,' as one OF the
a,i to detect any such characterIstlc about the
doomed man; but, on the contrary, he looked nOf-
fensive and hardly capable OF committing the ter
is nearly thirty years OF age, about fve feet six
inches IN height, we'll built, and weighs about one
hundred and fifty pounds. He conversed freely
with the reporter, ana, in response to inquiries,
THE STORY OF ROGERS LIFE
was born in the Fourth ward OF the city OF New
York the 26th OF December, 1912, and lived there
until was about ten years OF age when moved
to Brooklyn. went to school in New YORK at st.
Mary's and st. James, and In Brooklyn at rather
MalOne's When was about eighteen left school,
A OF the Third regiment OF New York cavalry, and
served two years, and was honorably discharged.
On the 9th OF December. 1868, again enlisted IN
company u of the Fifth New York heavy artillery,
aud went all through Hunters raid through the
valley" and was taken prisoner on the 2lth OF
July 1864, after the battle Of Martinsburg. re-
mained in prison seven months, and being ex-
changed ON the 22d OF February 1866, returned
| home on furlougs. joined my regiment again
and was honorably discharged from 1t.
REPoRTER-What did you do when You LETT the
army?
RoGERs-I came back ere and went to work in
/ Devoe's Oil works, at Hunters Point, remaining
4 there four years. Alter that worked at Pratt's
\ oil works pretty nearly nine months and then at
Mers cooper shop in First street. Work getting
/ slack was laid OF on the lst of Apri last, and