The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-17
NEAL'S END.
Illinois Takes the ii q Of Cold Blooded Muir
derer-Joseph 0Neal Executed at Mount
Carroll for the Assassination of
Eiram Rexfcrd-A Vile Char
acter Meets an Igno-
minlous Death.


MOUNT CARROLL, Ill, May 49, 1873
Joseph 0Neal has to-day expiated with his life
one OF the most heartess, determined, cold
blooded murders that this State has ever had TO
record. Well may the community rejoice over
the death OF such man. SO vile has been his
career that the very partners in his debauches were
found anxious to testify against him until every
extenuating circumstance had vanished. His
chief aim In life had been to do evil-the best
hours Of his existence wasted in the barr0oms and
dens OF vice and immortality. The influence OF a
Christian mother seems to have been utterly lost
upon him. Badness revealed in almost every act,
he was stunned by many, feared by Others, re-
spected probably to limited extent only by those
frai beings with whom he associated, and with
whom he became so degraded that his conscience
must have approached that condition mentioned
by the Apostle when hot iron could scarcely make
another impression.
THE CRIME
was committed on the Goth day OF last September,
in house OF questionable repute. on the island
below Fulton H., in Whiteside county. feud had
existed between the murderer and his victim for
over two years. woman was at the bottom of
the difficulty, as often happens in such
cases. and jealousy excited the deed. The
victim was Hiram Rexford, a low degraded
being. The house where the murder was COM
mitted was kept by one John ONeal, brother to the
doomed man. though he was not present
wnen the crime was committed. Joseph O'Neal
came RON Clinton, Iowa, In skin rowed by
another brother, Thomas and reached the den
about half-past twelve. Gong upstairs he found
Rexlord said, .'Weli, joe" The response was
"Yoa damned damned III teach you m not ito to
knocked him down with his fist, jumped upon HIM,
stamped HIM with his boot heel until the upper
part OF his body was bruised to fearful extent.
After he had stamped the life ont OF him almost,
he took heavy piece OF board used as short
shelf and battered his head until ne was wholly
insensible, and the blood OoZed in clots from his
mouth ears and nose. The wretch then left him.
The dying man groaned. Quick as thought
inches long, and saying, damn that -.
IN finish him." lie went to the spot where he
saw them dying from the stamping and beating,
times. He then deliberately felt for the carotid
artery, and, inserting the knife in its vicinity.
he left him, and going back to a sitting
room rocking. with human gore laid down his
20 tow, wash the blood from his hands, which she did
The death rattle OF the wretch whose life had
ebbed away attracted the attention Of the hend.
Taking the girl by the arm, he dragged her INTO
the hall TO see him fix the damned -" He ran
and got an axe, and with one blow
SEVERED THE HEAD FROM THE BODY.
The case came up at the April term three
weeks ago. The case was called on the 18th, be-
fore Judge Heaton in the Circuit Court Twenty -four
mony, hear argument OF counsel and render a ver
Dict which was guilty Of murder that Joseph
TO the Penitentiary Tor fifteen years. on the 24th
OF April the Cour. granted Thomas new trial, and
JOSEPH o'NEAL TO BE HANGED
by the neck until lie was dead in or about the jail
in this city, on Friday, the 10th OF May. He
received his sentence with stolid, blank indifYer-
ence neither showing emotions OF grief nor any
particular signs OF defiance. He suffered himself
to be led back TO his cell like sullen OK For a
fpw ia he
did not eat much, ana was very anxious
TO obtain communication OF sentence TO imprison-
meEt Tor lie. The Governor absolutely declined 10
interfere, and he made up his mind TO "die like
man," he SAID, and has been III good health and
HE DIES CATHOLIC.
O'Nea had been unsettled gin his religious faith.
His mother being Methodist desired him 10 die
in The Protestant faith. His father had been d
Catholic and his brother still held TO that faith and
desired minister of that Church to become his
guide TO the last. Tuesday he chose to die q
Catholic, and two priests visited him in his
cell. They remained with him administering
consolation until his execution. Last night he
talked with his guard until eleven o'clock, when he
went to bed and slept soundly until five O'Clock
this morning, when he awoke, arose and dressed
priests, until six O'Clock. Between seven ana
eight O'Clock mass was said IN the jail for the sal
walton OF his soul, and he received final absoution
The scene was solemn in the extreme.
HEARTY MEAL BEFORE DYING.
o'Neal then ate hearty breakfast OF beefsteak,
fried eggs, coffee, bread and butter and cherry
sauce He was then lett alone with his spiritual
ADVISERS until eleven O'Clock the hour set Tor the
execution. The city presented holiday appear
ance, and crowds OF people thronged the
streets and gazed curlously at the en-
closure. While free TO do so many
police arrangements OF Sheriff sutton were excel
lent, and all persons were kept out OF the court
yard a.ef zen ocot ,s;s Inc most per,ect orner
through the street TO the place OF execution,
which seemed TO strike awe INTO the very souls OF
the crowd. All was silent as the grave as il was
carried through the street.
AsCENDs THE GALLONS.
few minutes before eleven O'Clock 0'Neal was
taken rom his cell by the Sheriff. and, after bid
ding goodby to his brothers, proceeded with
firm step to the platform, attended by Three
up the night OF steps TO the Platform QUITE nimbfy
His face vas calm end ai.itcst Cheerful when on the
siar0fnn. snort prayer was offered kneelinc:
showed no weakness whatever When asked II he
had anything TO say he stepped TO the front OF the
platform and said:-
A PLEA FOR HIS BROTHER
GHyrirSrs-My little brother Tommy. who is in Jail,
Is e. am gas OF ms crime and am glad ana
the friend Of every man. am the enemy Of no one.
He then asked to have his body taken TO MS
mother. The sheriff adjusted the rope around his
neck. which he received without nincmng; the
black cap was drawn over his face and his arms
and legs pnoned The Sheriff then stepped TO
the rear Of the platform, sprung the trap and at
one minute past eleven O'Clock ONcal was
SWINGING INTO ETERNITY.
The fall disocated his neck: few struggles and
twitching Of the muscles OF the arms and legs. he
whrled around once or twice ana then was still.
He evidently died an easy death. At eight
minutes past eleven the pulse ceased TO
beat; at twenty minutes past the motion OF
the heart conld he no longer distinguished,
and life was declared extinct. The body was al
lowed 10 remain the iull thirty minutes, was then
taken down, placed IN the coffin and delivered TO
his friends. The public were not allowed to see
the corpse alter death. He looked pale. but very
natural. His body was taken 20 Fulton in wagon
across the country.
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