Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-08-01

Rev. Penfieid Doll, Joseph P. wilson, r. Scott
Norris, and VIM. B. Edwards, all Of the Meth
Young Mems Christian Association and the
t Prisoners Aid Association. These exercises
were continued to the time when 1t was an
arrived. At s:45 O'Clock the communion was
administered, and both he prisoners, Is also
those present, were much affected.
The brother of Nicholson called about eight
O'Clock this morning and took mis- last farewell,
which was very affecting Hollohan, at Nichol-
sons request, was called, and he, too, seemed
quite affected.
OUTSIDE SCENES.
As early as six O'Clock q. m, large crowds
commenced to gather about the prison, some Of
whom, by the aid of wagons, &C., got a view at
least of the upper portion of the building.
Long before the hour of execution the streets
in the vicinity of the jail were crowded. At
eight O'Clock the gates were opened, and those
entitled to admission were allowed to enter.
THE PRISONERS PINIoNED.
About OK O'Clock, Sheriff Kane, who was in
the main entrance of the building, was informed
that the religious services could be brought to
close at any moment he thought proper, and
he walked into the directors room, where at
the time the prisoners and those assembled
were engaged in singing; Both prisoners were
startled at his entrance, but exhibited no symp-
toms of fear. The sheriff was accompanied by
three deputies, and they, without word, pro-
ceeded to pinion the prisoners, to which they
gently submitted. While these preparations
we're being made, those inside the building who
had been admitted on tickets at once proceeded
between the lines of police and sheriff's depu-
ties to the back door OF the building, thence
down the iron steps to the yard, and ranged
themselves outside of the enclosure around the
scaffold. The police and sheriff's officers were
mere alsO ponce on dTty IN the yard and
200 persons inside the enclosure, besides the Of
Gals. This crowd was very orderly, there being
no loud conversation whatever, but on the out
side some disorderly parties now and then sent
up shout Of derision, but the police quickly
stopped it.
The Execution.
At seven minutes to 10 O'Clock there was
quick dropping of umbrellas and turning of
faces in the Jail yard towards the point at which
the prisoners were to come in view. Sheriff
Kane and Deputy Roseman came first; next the
tall form of Hollohan, who wore over his gray
suit short black shroud, with Chaplain Doll
aud Rev. Mr.. Norris at his side. Hollohan wore
on his face broad smile, and looked around in
the crowd apparently for some friend or other
Nicholson had on a black shroud, and wore a
much more serious look upon his countenance
than Hollohan. Once or twice he turned his
eyes inquiringly towards the crowd. He was
W. s. Edwards. The procession, amid almost
painful silence, walked up the scafod, the
prisoners showing no faltering whatever and
they Immediately took their places
BENEATH THE BEAM.
A few words passed among those on the scat
fold, and Sheriff Kane turned to the crowd, the
greater portion being on the north side of the
scatfold, and said the prisoners desired to say
few words.
HoLLoHAN's DYING SPEECH.
Hollohan advanced to the rail, and laying his
hands thereon, said without tremor, in a loud
voice:
Friends and Brothers: You are aware that
have been convicted; acknowledge the justice
OF the sentence and am perfectly willing to give
up my life for the crime which L have com
10 lie 10 nhric t;a,,
brotherly love. 1t Is better than gold. We are
all brothers. i was sent to the penitentiary
wrongfully. / defy any man in the United
States TO say that was ever put in any prison
before 1868 for any crime whatever. 1 was
arrested on a charge in Prince George county
where was treated shamefulIy by the judges
and the lawyers of the court. lost everything
had-friends, money, my wife, whom expect
to meet in Heaven. When 1 think of the
upright judges and the states attorney down IN
Annapolis, 1 feel grateful to them for their
kindness to me, and thank the officers of the
jail, and die in the faith of Jesus Christ. God
bless you all. Good bye.
Several times HollOhan paused in the deliy-
cry of this address.
NICHoLsoN's DYING SPEECH.
Nicholson then stepped forward and said: L
wish to make few remarks. The confession
that was given was given under promise of Mr.
Creme that should be states witness. The
testimony Of Thomas Nicholson, at Annapolis,
God bless him. 81 ust here Nicholson recogniz-
ed Mr.. CrOne among the bystanders, and sald:)
Brother Crone, how do you do? My punish
money. die, trusting in the Lord Jesus
Christ, and i commit my wife and children to
God, and hope to meet them and you in
Heaven.
Nicholson then went beneath the beam. and
Holoran came forward and said, " One word
my brothers, (smilingly) 1 freely forgive ali
Nicholson" also do the same"
THE WHITE CAPs
were then adjusted, after the legs Of the prison.
ers had been pinioned by the sheriff and his
deputy, and Rev. Mr.. Doll said a few moments
would be spent in silent prayer, and all on the
three minutes, during which time the siience
seemed Oppressive. Mr.. Doll q uietly descended.
followed by the Others, and the prisoners raised
from their knees.
Hollohsn reached forth his hand to his COM
rade and said
"BRoTHER NICHOLSON GIVE ME YOUR HAND"
Nicholson did so, and they grasped each other
firmly by the hand, and with one voice they
SAID "Iry to meet me in Heaven. good bye"
THE FATAL DROP.
By this time the sheriff had reached the foot
OF the steps, and seizing the end of the rope at
tached to the trap, the double doors fell, and
the souls OF the condemned were launched into
eternity-at 10 O'Clock and 5 minutes. The fall
was not sufficient to break their necks, and for
a moment or two there were some CONCLUSIVE
movements. The rope did not appear to have
been properly stretched. and the bodies com
menced to spin around like tops
After hanging until 10k O'Clock the bodies
were lowered and examined by Drs Hou ok,
physician to the Jail, j. II. Butler, and E. F.
Miilholland, who pronounced life extinct The
body OF Hollohan was placed in a coffin by SIR
weaver, the undertaken. The body of Nfchol-
son was placed on a stretcher and taken to the
bath-rr until his family claims it.
Both prisoners left letters to the ministers
thanking them for their services, expressing
their confidence In having made their peace
with God, urging all to repentance, and stating
that they were enabled to love their enemies
There were quite number Of Washingtonians
present at the execution. q,
by Associated Press.]
BALTIMoRE, August John Nicholson and
Thomas H. Holohan, who murdered Mrs. Mary
Ann Lampley, aged u, on the night Of jan
uary I'd last, and robbed the house suffered the
extreme penalty Of the law this morning by
hanging. Nicholson had q final and farewell
interview with his wife and children, father,
mother, brothers and sisters, yesterday, of the
most Affecting character. Holohan had no
visitors except his spiritual advisers Both men
spent yesterday afternoon and evening earnestly
engaged In religious exercises until o late hour.
They retired about 1890 O'Clock each. and
slept well during the night. About O'Clock