The New York herald., 1873-12-05
MECHELLA RETRIEVED.

Governor Parker Grants . Respite for
Five Weeks-The Preparations for the
Execution Completc-A Peep Into Cell
No. =.
To-day Mecheha was to expiate ms deed OF blood
on the gallows at Jersey City. The machine OF
death was erected yesterday and all preparations
were complete. Sheriff Reinhardt transferred his
ofiice TO the paror In the County jail, not merely
TO be on hand in case OF any emergency, but to
escape the swarm OF morbid sightseers VINO desired
passes to witness the execution. The jail was sur.
rounded BY q crowd that seemed TO hear music in
the sound OF the hammer within the jail yard. The
deputy appointed TO complete the arrange
ments and TO superntend the execu-
tion took up his position In the jail
yard and posted the carpenters on this new
branch OF business at least TO them. As this per-
sonage was photographed In the HERALD In con-
nection with an execution at the Tomos not one
year ago 1t Ii only necessary to remark that ne
was the same fancy. dapper little fellow, trimmed
upin a holiday ATTIRE with heavy black mus
tache ornamenting o handsome face-handsome,
at all events, in the distance-sportlng an Astra-
khan collar and looking altogether tho type or a
gentleman who would create nutter among the
tender sex at a fashionable gathering. Gazing on
such q man, and thinking OF the execution
the quenching out or human lie by q
violent death, the two upright posts supporting
cross beam and ALI the terri BILE associations which
the grouping conjures up. one feels in spite OF him.
self IN the mood OF the melancholy Dane when he
found solace In the thought that 'There are more
Things in heaven and earth, HOrat0, than are
dreamt of In your philosophy
Within the walls, stretched on pallet In cell No.
2, on the ground door, lay the murderer, not sleep
ine-there was no time lor sleep-but counting
the seconds with his arms and legs IN alternate
motion TO relieve the mind. The ringing OF the
Court House bell Ior uncn, at one O'Clock, startled
him and he needed attentively the con-
versation OF the keepers and visitors out
side his door when they observed that when
| that bell tolled ior one O'Clock next day
he would be cold in death. HIS eyes were sunken
| and CLASSY his Whole demeanor was subdued and
| now and then could be detected In the changing
| lines that chased each other over MS face the
agony OF his soul He would, II he could. ding
| down like milestone. Nike Obrien, the special
deputy IN charge. gave long look at the wretched
snake OF Inc head, remarked, "rnats the Way he
has been all night; he knows wen he's got 10 60;
Nike had hardly hnlslied this sentence when
| Mechella cried out, ''Boeece, bo eece; pring me
some prandy." 'ihere II is again, you see,'' said
Mike; me IS calling for whiskey and brandy all
the time He would ask nothing more than to
have plenty of it TIL the last moment"
| during this time Governor Parker was holding a
| conference with a lew sentmentalists down town,
having come on rom Freehold icr the purpose
| one week ago the Governor stated to a HERALD
reporter he saw grounds 10 grant q reprieve,
| and the Court OF Pardons were unanimous in re.
fusing a communal lloD At the instance oil SIN al
conclave, the Governor granted respite, that
| the execution will not take place TIL the eth OF
January Nobody IN Jersey City camors
| Tor the murderer's blood, but the verdict OF the
| community Is that the murder was most cold
Dlooded, deliberate and atroclous and that If ever
| there were case demanding speedy punishment
| this one. The only ground on wncn the
respite was claimed was that Mechela is not in a
proper condition. relgousy considered, for death.
Not word was SAID by the petitioners about rais-
| ing dollar for the widow and orphans OF the MUIR
dered man. The insanity plea was shivered to
atoms long ago, SO thai it was deemed mex xpedient
to ofler IL again.
Sheri1 Reinhardt was officially notified OF the
| repreVe last evening. He says the vigilance over
the prisoner Will be nowise relaxed, ana the gal
| lows VIII remain standing IN the jail yard.