The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-16
The SHADOW OF DEATH.
Solemn Approach Of Nixon's
Fearful Fate.
THE LAST DEAR DAY.
Pathetic Parting from His Wife and
Children---A Child's Love.
he CHANCES AT THE GALL0WS.
II Feel That the Hand of God
Is Upon Me-"
RESIGNATION AND DESPAIR.
The Murderer's PRAYERS
to His Maker. !
Full Text of His Last Will and
Testament.
HE CHANCES AT THE GAI.LowS.
81 Feel That the Hand of God
Is Upon Me-"
RESIGNATION AND DESPAIR.
The Murderer's Prayers
to His Maker.
Full Text of His Last Will and
Testament.

Testament.
Yesterday sad day for Nixon, the MUIR
derer He received the news that the General
Term Of the Supreme Court had affirmed the judg-
ment of the Court OF Oyer and Termlner sentencing
him "tO be hanged by the neck till he was dead"
He passed q seepless night. He went to bed at
eleven O'Clock and got up at five O'Clock yesterday
morning. The two Deputy Sherifrs watched him
very closely, but Nixon was very quiet He lay
In bed all night, and asked several times
for some cold water to battle his hot,
throbblng forehead with. How Wild how strange
he looked as he cast his eyes up to see II day was
breakingi The pale light stole through the slant
ing chlnk In the wall as he tossed both his hands
out OF bed and buried his face in Them He raised
himself into sitting posture.
''Not yet daylights' he said. in q strange, hollow
voice. "Wil the night last forever ?"
What night 1t must have been. He had some
hope yet, but
HE FELT THAT RE MUST DIE.
In q few hours he would know his fate. Die!
He looked up and felt the warm rays Of the sun
streaming In, and thought "How beautiful Is life ~
He thought Of his wife, his dear little children OF
the bright days OF his youth and the fond visions OF
his future. He paced his CELL and then sat down
on the bed.
$50 1t is too late ~ he sighed.
The Deputy SheriYs said nothing. They looked
at him aghast. His cheeks were hollow, his eyes
stared wildly before him, his hair streaked his
forehead, his hands trembled as ne tried to DRESS
There was something terrible in his whole appear
ance. He remarked that 1t was q beautiful day.
and glanced ND at the chink In the wall. What a
long lOOki He must have thought OF the hundreds
and thousands who were now stirring in the beau
tiful sunlight, animated by hope and pleasure and
JOY, and he the cold CELL with the gallows before
himl
Father McKenna, Father Duranquet, Father Nc
Bride, Of Mott street church, and other priests
came to see him. He greeted them reverently.
They asked him how he felt.
~ am happy" he replied.
The words were spoken in
VOICE THAT WAS INFINITELY SAD.
even 60 to mass" Father Duranquet said.
"Oh yes: I'll 60 to mass" said the doomed man,
his face lighting up.
They went across to the female prison, where the
chapel is. How many prisoners have attended
mass there and beard the prayers that were being
offered for their souls Nixon listened calmly to
the solemn prayer. His lips were compressed, his
face became whittier yet but not sound escaped
his lips. He partOok Of the communion and looked
almost cheerful as he did 1t seemed to relieve
him. and he grasped the hands OF the priests when
they had finished.
He returned to his cell. AS he walked through
the yard the sun shone brightly upon his head, He
drew long breath. There was something delight
full even in the tainted air OF the prison yard. He
looked up at the sky. How glorious it lookedl He
looked at the grim walls of the prison that had
held so many men who had died on the gallows be-
fore him. His chin sunk on his breast. He sighed
and he quietly walked back to his cell.
He stretched himself on the bed and shut his
eyes, He was tired having been unable TO sleep
wink during the night He put his hands before
his eyes as though he were shutting out
SOME DREADFUL. HIDEoUs SIGHT.
What could 1t have been that made him shudder
and start9 Was it some wild picture that rose up
before him2 Perhaps he saw his own lifeless corpse
IN the coffin at which he had looked the day before
Perhaps he felt the tight grippe Of the rope, for he
started up and grasped his neck God what could
he have thought Off
After two hours he rose and the priests spoke to
him again in accents OF Kindness and sympathy
He listened to them attentvely and clasped his
hands and breathed prayer toward heaven. They
all prayed; they prayed that he might not die for
ever, that he might be forgiven, that he might not
part from MS beloved ones forever, but that he
might again meet them in heaven. Nixon believed
every word he uttered; there never was more
fervent prayer.
He was asked to partake of some breakfast, but
shook his head and did not seem to understand
what had been said to him. His thoughts were
wandering far, far away. He recalled himself
He was able to eat something; but what sad
breakfast 1t wasl He knew that in little more
than
TwENTYroUR HOURS lie WOULD BE DEAD.
The sound of hammering broke upon his ear. He
became still more white We're they erecting the
He prayed again. II and ND spoke % to his Maker No
one can tell what he said TO his God as he kneeled
on the noor his face thrilling with an expression o,
OF the most intense emotion. No one In the cell
Ills low tones OF anguish fell sadly on the
hlm-no one but Cod All earthly hope had ned.
Mr.. Hummel, associate counsel with MI Howe came
counsellor ms was I pale and agitated Nixon started
up as his counsel entered There was yet gleam
q How y to %on ons self to
haps hts Counsel might bring him joyful tdings.
Mr. Hummel grasped his hand.
'.Welly, Nixon asked. In tone OF intense
anxiety. How much he said in that one little
"''' WERE TREMBLING IN THE BALANCE.
Mr. Hummel scarcely had the heart to speak.
~ am sorry he said, 'but-"
.whatw Nixon cried, springing to his feet and
utterng yell OF terror.
what all hope is not gone Z"
That one cry was enough to make ones heart
life, and instead OF lie and hope the galows loomed
Mr. Hummel pressed his hand al am sorry TO
tell you,n he said "but there is no hope.n
Nixon staggered and held his baud TO his FORE
head, as though he were afraid OF becoming crazed
There was gloomy silence. Gan hope is not
gone ~ he asked.
"All hope gone" echoed the counsellor.
Nixon was silent for several minutes, There was
feverish quiverng OF his lips and nervous work
ing OF the muscles OF the face, but he uttered not
syllable.
% knew that my case was hopeless one" he
said, family, alter while.
Mr. Hummsl told him that Mr.. Howe (Nixons
leading counsel had been PROSTATE ever since nc
heard OF
THE F1vAL DECISION IN THE CASE
Nixon thanked him Tor the trouble he hau TAKEN
to save his life. -
ayes; always felt that should have 10 suner
for this crime,n Nixon said, glo0mily. -
Two Sisters Of Mercy were In the room; Iney
had spoken to him az though they were MS own
sisters-ln such words Of kindness and love ana
forbearance. "Oh, my child, ".said one now, IN =