The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-22
THE CULPRIT'S LAST NIGHT.
He Sleeps, Prays and Cheerfully
Awaits His Fate.
Affecting Religious Ceremonies
and Painful Adieus.
In Mournfnl Silence Four Hundred Spectators
Witness His Launch Into Eternity.

Witness His Launch Into Eternity.
BOSTON, March q, 1873.
'"To be hanged by the neck until you are dead"
is what the Chief Justice OF the Supreme Court told
James McElhaney when he was convicted OF the
murder of his wife last August. That the worthy
Chief Justice was in error was believed not
only by the murderer himself but by hundreds
OF others whose sympathies for assassin smother
all claims and appeals for an impartial administra-
ton OF justice. Boston's murderer, like Foster
who expiated capital crime few hours before,
had hundreds Of petitions and arguments entered
In his behalf Governor Washburne was innexible
though, and was as firm and determined in having
the law executed as was ever that old hero who
wanted q fatal bullet put through the man who
dared to haul down the American flag. Massachu-
setts therefore is proud New York in her vim
dication of law, and those who are inclined to
blood for q real or fancied wrong will do well to
take the matter into consideration.
THE LAST NIGHT-sLEEP AND DEVOTION.
Throughout his last night McElhaney main.
tanned the same composurs which has marked his
bearing for the past week. one Of his spiritual
advisers was with him through the entire night.
The prisoner slept considerably, though he had
frequent intervals OF desire to indulge in prayer
with the clergyman. This morning he appeared
perfectly composed, and to all outward appear.
anoes was completely resigned to his awful fate.
His manner was Of that OF meek and penitent
man who had prepared his mind thoroughly to
undergo the ordeal through which he was about
be called on to pass. At twenty minutes before
ten O'Clock he taken from his cell IN the south
wing and escorted int the parlor Of the Sherinrs
house. McElhaney slept soundly until five O'Clock
this morning, and In calm, quiet mood greeted
his clergyman, the Rev, Mr. Upham, who shortly
efter entered his cell.
SLIGHT BREAKFAsT-PREPARED TO DIE.
In q cheerful manner he asked the reverend gen.
tleman whether he had better eat any breakfast or
not. MIR. Upham advised him to partake OF some
food, intmating that 1t would give him strength,
perhaps. To this the condemned, In an animated
tone, responded, "Oh, need no strength. Why.
Mr.. Upham, II l knew could live by going to
prison and stay for years, I'd rather die. because
If am allowed to live the knowledge OF my crime
would always be before me.n After partaking OF q
tight breakfast the condemned dressed himself, at
eight O'Clock, in suit OF complete black, as un-
concernedly as though ne was preparing for
church, and between nine and ten O'Clock, accom-
panied by Mr.. Upham, walked to the Sherlns par
lor for the final services OF religion and where the
Fast appeal Tor Gods clemency and forgiveness was
to be made.
When asked II he objected to any of the audience
being present during the ceremonies he calmly
answered, ooh, no 1t makes no difference what.
ever"
sT0ICAL RESIGNATION.
Previous to any spectators being admitted Nc
Elhaney walked about the parlor, converting
freely and cheerfully on religion, expressing FIRE.
quently hts complete resignation and readiness To
stand before the throne OF God. AS o slight evil
dence Of his camness 1t is stated that throughout
yesterday, during the erection OF the scanold, the
sound Of driving nails and other work had no more
impression on him than the rays Of sunbeam.
PINIoNING THE CONDEMNED.
At few minutes before eleven O'Clock Deputy
Sheriff Bradley entered the parlor to perform the
last act but one in the painful ordeal, that Of
pinioning the arms Of the condemned. As Mr..
Bradley was about to do this his own fortitude
partially forsook him, and with unmistakable evi.
dence OF grief he proceeded with his unpleasant
duty. McElhaney cheerfully grasped his hand and
referring to his many kind and courteous acts
shown him during his imprisonment, babe
him an eternal farewell, saying, as he did so,
'Mr Bradley, you have terrible hard duty to per-
form, havn't you ?"
NO PUBLIC STATEMENT TO MAKE.
Shortly before McElhaney's final walk to the plat
form OF death the sheriff desired to know whether
he wished to address the audience from the scat
fold. To this he replied, "No, I've nothing to say
treatment always shown me-"
CLOSING RELIGIOUS SERVICES
At the latter only the prison committee, report
ers and few others were present. At the further
end OF the room sat a small, though solemn, group
McElhsney sat in the centre OF the group directly
behind small table. He apparently IN splen-
did physical condition, his whole appearance bear
ting the marks OF perfect health He was attired in
avery neat suit of black, with Congress boots His
rested q small gold pin. He sa. with his head
bowed forward. though showing no agitation. At
his right hand were seated Revs. William p. Ray OF
the Trinity church, East Cambridge, and Joseph
Scott, OF the Church street church. Upon the left
were Rev. Samuel p. Upham, OF the winthrop
Street Methodist Episcopal church, Highlands, and
Father Cook Chaplain OF the Jail. Before the
services were commenced, in answer to desire
on the part Of the condemned, Senator Morse, o.
Middlesex county, stepped cut from amene the
spectators and bid the Inflated man goodby NC
Ehaney grasped his hand, and In an almost inau
dibie whisper uttered the words 'xsoodby,'
with few others which were not understood.
Rev. Mr.. Upham then SAID, in q solemn tane, ave
win commence the services by singing
''JEsUs, LOVER OF MY SOUL"
AL Joined in the refrain. McElhaney sat with
MS head thrown back upon the back OF his chair
ana MS eyes closed, and seemed to join with his
whole heart in the sspplcatien which the hymn
snered up. Rev. Mr.. Ray then read from the Scrip.
lures that portion commencing "Cone unto me,
al ye that labor and heavy laden, and l win
give you rest" All then kneeled around the table,
and the Rev. Mr.. Upham offered up PRAYER. The
condemned Bowed his head still lower as the rev.
crend man enunciated the words, 1--WE do ear.
nestly repent our misdeeds and humbly suppcate
for that forgiveness and redemption which can
only come from above" McElhaney seemed to fully
enter into the spirit OF the prayer as with his fore
head bowed upon his hand. he listened to the en-.