The New York herald., 1872-09-07
CONVERSATION WITH THE CONDEMNED.
How He Passed His Last
Night ON Earth.
Heartrsnding Scene Of Parting with His Rela-
ives-The Religious Rites-The Procession
Of Death-His Last Words-The End

rissey, the victim being his MOTHER Ann Morrissey.
In an ancient law code we find matricide was
omitted on the ground, as expressed by prom
inent criminal writer, that mo man could be
capable of such deed" In this, the nineteenth
century, and In the midst OF q people noted for
their enlightenment and Christianity we find
1end in human shape guilty Of driving large carv-
ingknife to the heart Of the mother who bore him.
The murderer, Patrick Morrssey was born In
Nenagh, In the county of Tipperary Ireland in the
year 1s43, and is, therefore, in his twenty-ninth
year. and came to this country with his mother
when he was but seven months old. In early life
and until he reached the age Of eleven, when
he became sailor, MOrrssey's occupation was
that Of ferry boy on the Buffalo Creek
carrying passengers from the central wharf to the
island, earning during the summer months from
one to five dollars per day, which he Invariably
gave to his mother The police records show that
M0rrissey commenced his criminal career when he
was but twelve years old, his first offence being the
stealing from drunken sailor of his watch and
s42 in gold for which he was sentenced to the
Rochester House of Refuge. In 1869 he was con-
victed and sentenced to the Auburn State Prison
for three years and six months, and after serving
seven months he was pardoned by the Governor,
mainly through
THE INTERCEsSION OF THE WOMAN
whom he murdered, who left no means untried to
secure the pardon OF her wayward but still loved
child. In August, 1871, he was implicated In the
robbery OF some emgrants from the East, and to
escape the officers who after him he fed this city
to New York. In New York he was shanghaed by the
keeper OF sailors boarding house in Market street
and shipped on board O South American brig,
thence to Liverpool, returning to Buffalo only
one week before his having committed this terrible
crime. From the time of his return he boarded at
building fronting on the towpath Of the Erie Canal
and Commercial street. At halfpast one O'Clock OF
the fatal day Morrissey left his mothers house,
after having partaken Of something to eat, in ap
parently good humor and with the intention OF
finding a vessel to ship on, returning in less than
half an hour, seemingly drunk and in a quarrel
some mood. He entered the dining room through
the front room or bar, where were seated three Of
his mothers boarders, and began abusing his
mother. who setting the table for her boarders
dinner, having in her hand o large carving knife,
the blade OF which measured six and half inches,
receding at the top to sharp point His mother
at first paid attention to his abuse, thinking he
was but Joking When convinced OF her error she
told him to be quiet and leave the house. else she
would have HIM removed by the police. M0rrissey
then replied by calling her o damned b-h, and
seized the carving knife from her hand, and with
blow that would have felled an OK,
DROVE IT TO THE HANDLE INTO HER LEFT BREAST.
but the mother and son, and no person saw the
blow delivered that had sent soul before its
Maker unprepared but the cook Mrs. Springston,
who was In the adjoining room, or Kitchen, the con-
Meeting door being open. saw the wretch throw
the knife, warm with The life-bood Of his mother
on the table, The poor mother, after being stabbed
uttered one cry and went far the door leading
to the bar, where she fell into the arms OF one OF
her boarders named Blackledge. From her mouth
and the wound the blood nowed profusely leaving
q trail across the floor from where she stood when
stabbed to where she was caught by Blackledge,
fItn han ha
mostly internal. As she was supported by Black
ledge the fend exclaimed, my God, I've killed my
not Knowing the fun nature Of the injury she
had sustained, carried her up stairs to her
chamber, and messenger was despatched to
Precinct No. l for doctor PatrOlman Boyle
passing at the time, and noticing crowd collected
In 'front.' Of the door, entered and inquired what
was the matter, when he was informed nothing
but family quarrel He went up stairs to insti-
tute further inquiries and found the woman dead,
she having eSPeS N less an ye Bn1 minutes ae
amning the body the messenger from the station
house returned with Patrolman Phillips and ar.
his mothers bed bewildered at his own handi-
work. Although under the influence OF liquor,
tendent Byrne, OF the police was such as to leave
the impression that he was fully conscious Of the
enormlty OF his crime. on being questioned
F He HAD MURDERED HIS MOTHER,
he replied firmly, mo, and am not going to
throw myself away. Iwant lawyer before shall
II his mother was dead, and on being assured that
she was he replied that he would willingly
still he denied his guilt, although he frequently
gave utterance to expressions which left no doubt
that IL was by his hand that his mother met her
death. Tuesday, July Patrick M0rrssey was placed
at the bar OF the supreme Court, Judge verplanck
presiding, charged with the wllfui murder or Ann
Morrissey, his mother, June g. and after devoting
three days TO the empanelllng OF a jury the case
was opened on behalf OF the prosecution by the
81 sn ca he
The prisoner was defended by MIR. William
Dorsheimer and Mr.. Josiah Cook, two OF the most
their utmost TO save their client from the fearful
penalty of the law. The defence was that the crime
was committed In the heat OF passion, while the
prisoner was
UNDER THE rSrLuEScB OF LIQUOR
and unaccountable for his acts.
TALLY, reviewing the evidence adduced In the trial,
and stating that the point for them TO consider
XIII or in the heat OF passonif with intent to xiii
to find against the prisoner murder In the first
degree, and II unpremedtated then OF man
slaughter in the third degree. The jury were out
but eighteen minutes when they returned and an
nounced through their foreman that the prisoner
was guilty Of murder In the first degree AS the
jury returned to the court room AFTER their con.
sultation M0rrissey for the first time during the
trial became unnerved amer & and M adgety and exclaimed
OF emotion. Throughout the trial the prisoner was
attended by two OF his sistersone little girl, the
as the murderer OF their mother stood up receive
his sentence Judge Verpanck, himself pale and
apparently deeply anected, tnen proceeded TO
SENTENCE THE PRISONER AS roLLows:-
"PatrcK M0rrisey, you have been convicted OF
the crime OF murder In the first degree. Upon a
fair trial, In which y0u were defended by two able
lawyers, an impartial jury pronounced you guilty
Three weeks ago you committed the offence for
which you are now to be sentenced. That OFFENCE
was the murder OF your mother. The proofs Of
your guilt are conclusive and warn you against
hoping for pardon. IL only remains for you TO
hulnbly ask pardon OF God for your great sin. The
sentence OF the State and or this Court Is that you
Patrick MOrrissev, he taken TO the common jail OF
this county and be there confined until the 9th day
of September next, and that on the 9th DAY OF Sep
tember next, between the hours OF ten O'clock In
the forenoon and four O'Clock In the afternoon, you
be taken to the place OF execution and be there
hanged by the neck until you are dead, and may
God IN His Infinite kindness and compassion have
mercy upon your soul"
MORRIssEY'S MARRIAGE.
Some seven or eight years ago Morrissey was
married to girl named Ellen Connolly OF Buffalo,
,ori