Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-08-01
TEIEGR A PHI.
ESPECIAL DISPATCHES TO TIE GAZETTE.]
Execution OF Nicholson and HOI-
IOhan

Thomas Il. HoIlohan. who murdered Mrs.
Mary Ann Lampley, aged y, on the night OF
January I'd last, and robbed the house, suffer
ed the extreme penalty of the law this morn
ing by hanging. Nicholson had inal and
farewell interview with his wife and children,
father, mother, brothers and sisters, yesterday,
of the most affecting character. Hollohan had
no visitors except his spiritual advisers. Both
men spent yesterday afternoon and evening
earnestly engaged in religious exercises until u
late hour. They retired about -. 80 o'clock
each and slept well during the night Hollo-
han arose a few minutes before five this morn
lug and Nicholson at five thirty. Nicholson
took bath and shaved About 0 clock the
meu took breakfast separately, which consisted
Of bread, butter and coffee, meat and eggs
While at breakfast, Hollohau remarked to
reporter present, 81 am as well and coutented
this morning as ever was in my life, and
expressed anxiety to know the popular oplnloD
in reference TO his case.
Immediately after breakfast, a prayer meet
lug was held in Nicholson cell, at Which both
prisoners. their spiritual advisers, Mr.. Crit
fifth, President OF the prisoners aid association
and members OF the Young Mems Christian AS
ISOLATION were present.. Several hymns were sung
after which Nicholson led in prayer as follows
20, mcrcful Father increase my strength let
me bear it to day with resignation | feel that
Father, | shall sec the beautiful iacrs on nlgf
feel that Thy precious blood has washed me
free Of all guilt aud can 30 safely to the realms
of light | commit myself to Thy hand ;
know lave done wrong, but The a. onlug Diooq
Is sufficient am Thy child Father, while |
have been iufrm Thou hast been with me l
commit my poor vile aud children to Thee;
A.. [ Ill al, II
with the Holy spirit it is hard TO bear, but
we are going to a better place to day
Mother, beautiful mother, sister and broth
or, shall sec you again, strengthen my below
ed brother III the fearful trial he is now endur-
iug. Give me the strength of thy blessing so
that on the scatfold can die with smlle
upon my face whispering the name OF sweet
Jesus Father | commit myself wholly to thy
hand The ''hymn' 'KOck of Age" was
then sung aflcr which Nicholson took farewell of
his brother Thomas. The brothers cordially
embracing each other Thomas weeping said,
IL did all could for you Josh, yes was the re-
ply, and more than could do for you, God bless
You.
The ccrimouics were then concluded at the
cell aud the prisoners accompanied by the
clergymcu at SD moved through the main
hail aud entered the directors ROOM, where an
hour was passed in private devotional exercises.
Nicholson was dr., SSed ina black suit and Eolo-
han in gray As they passed through the main
hall both prisoners were smiling and cheerful
ly nodIing to acquaiDtanccs whom they recog-
nizcd. Col. Kane. the sheriff, with his depu-
ties. left his Office shortly after s o clock, ar
irving at the Jail about $ 80. At this hour
there were probably one hundred and fifty per-
sons III the main hall Of the Jail and the grounds
Within the enclosure, mouy of whom were
smoking aud patiently awiting the hour
of execution. The gallows had been erected
at the north end Of the jail, between which and
the north wall was but small space. The
structure was - feet III height, the platform
eighteen feet from the ground, and the cross
beam nine feet above. The view from the
south was completely DISTRACTED by the Jail,
and from the east by the Jail wall; from the
north and west the skeleton frame work of the
gallows looming above the Jail wall was plainly
visible. AS early as halt-past eight large
crowd had assembled OH Towards Hill, the
old family seat Of the Towards, and all the
high grounds on Il led, North and Concord
streets, from which view could be OBJ
aiucd Several hundred persons also occupied
the roofs of houses near The Jail. The exercises
in the directors room consisted Of singing, pray
who were both calm and composed expressing
was administered by Rev. Pcn6cId Doll, as
public were excluded from the director room,
1t being intended that the SacramcutaI Service
should he as private as possible.
A;9.3O Colonel Kane was notified that the
exercises were concluded and the prisoners ready
to receive him. He entered the directors room
followed shortly after by the Board Of Visitors.
The prisoners arms were plnoned firmly be-
hind and the hands tied with u small rope, a
black alpaca cloak thrown over the shoulders.
Each Of the Board and themselves, being asked
if they we're ready they responded 10 the athr-
native with irnInes>. A squad of police en-
tered the Jail aud marched through to the gal
lows at five minutes to ten o'clock.
The door of the directors room opened and
the procession, headed by Sheriff Kane, fol-
lowed by HollohaD, with Rev. Drs. Doll and
Nicholson with Rev. Mr. Wilson marched
out. The prison guard fell in followed by the
grand jury and spectators, and all proceeded to
the scene of execution Both prisoners walked
with firm step, Hollohan nodding pleasantly
to the jail officers as he passed along The
prisoners assembled the steps Of the platform
with steady steps and bcaming countepances.
Holohan made a short speech on the scaffold
advising the people to keep away from evil
companions, and acknowledging the justice of
his sentence.
Nicholson made substantially the same Speech
and commended his wife aud children to God
care. They were then moved to the trap and
after short prayer the trap Was sprung. Both
died easily, Holohan being instantly sutfocated;
Nicholson neck was dislocated
There was u great crowd on the hills
outside, and but few manifestations Of
sympathy for the prisoners. Nicholson 5 re-
mains we're givento his friends and Hollohan' 5
were borne off by the undertaken who present
ed the coffin in which his body was eucascd.
From New York,
New YORK, Aug 1.-The intelligence Of
the severe illness of President Grants wife $
father was conveyed to him as he was leaving
the steamboat on his return from his Hudson
River trip. The President Immediately board
I'd revenue cutter in waiting and started for