The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-20
King Dying with the Spectre Of the GallOws
Before Him---A Heartrending Spectacle.
WHAT JOHN sCANMELL SAYS.
He Feels Innocent as a Babe and Very
Happy-He Would Rather Hang
Than Go to Prison.


prosperous beloved by his children, devoted to his
wife, with the prospect OF long life before him,
he is suddenly thrown into prison. He Is shut out
from the pure air OF heaven. separated from those
he loves and terrible spectre rises up before
him-the gallows No happy evenings by the fire.
side, no fond associations with his Children no
honorable pursuits that would make him respected
among his fellow men. but neutrality-suspicious.
shameful, disgraceful death. That Ia not all. He
pines In his cell-thoughts OF his disgrace come
over him. He becomes sick; he has the consump-
tiol and day by day his vigorous frame is wasted
away by the fever that consumes him. And no one
near. No kind hand to smooth his pillow, no
familiar voice to speak to him, no loving arm to
STEAL AROUND HIS NECK.
Alone, forsaken, forgotten with but one hope
which cannot fai-death. 1t 10 terrible to think or
dying on the garows; but die he must and death
will end his sunerings.
The cell in which King Is confined IL cheerfnly
fitted up. handsome carpet, table covered
with Mowers, o number Of books and magazines,
pictures on the wall, all these give 1t comfortable
appearance. The light that steals through the
chink In the wall and slants on the bed Is bright,
and were 1t not for the heavy iron bars you would
fancy yourself In some pleasant little room occu-
pied by some modest young bachelor. King lay on
his bed. His face was worn with sickness. 1t was
eyes had wan look that was infinitely sad. He
locked thin, weary, heavy at heart. As he spoke
his lips shook and his breast heaved, and every
now and then he sighed. Never will the reporter
forget those signs OF anguish, that must have
struck deep at the heart OF the most Indifferent
listener.
King was so sick that he was scarcely able to
speak. His utterance was
FEvERIsH, FAINT BREATHING,
audit was with the greatest diflculty that the
porter could catch the sounds AS the reporter
addressed him King raised himself slightly in bed.
.'How are you to-day ?" the reporter inquired.
'very wen, thank you" King said, feebly, and
casting long wistful look at the reporter. What
strange glance It had imporing, grateful
expression, as though he was thankful for the
slightest mark Of Kindness
''Ths is q cherries place to be in" the reporter
observed.
King looked at him with his wan eyes. eyes, in
Deed" he said with sigh, which he in vain en-.
deavored TO suppress, and he added, with forced
smile, 81 am, indeed, warrior. Am not ?"
The last query was addressed to Warden John
son, who stood inside the cell administering kindly,
as is his wont, to the needs OF the prisoner. Mr..
Johnson acquiesced, and asked, "Ars you able to
Kings head sunk YEARLY on the pillow. YES"
he said family, 81 can drink little" And he
az no oH the Flowers S on THE LITTLE TABLE.
.'they don't forsake me-" After pause and in
bitter tone, "They have done enough for me
'These are luxurious quarters" the reporter
SAID loeosssly n, answered irving 70 link ut,,e
more cheerful; ~ lived three weeks at the Grand
Hotel in Paris, and this is almost like It."
The doctors say you are getting along little
he answered in the same low, weary tone,
"About the same as yesterday He raised his
head and wrung his hands, ION, II could only get
up nom this pointing at the bed) how happy l
would bel"
REpoRTER-You will probably recover
KING sadly shaking his headl-oh, II one has
only health It's terrible to be sick. What q
visitation this is with resigned air. But, per.
haps, it is all for the best. 1t might be worse.
REPoRTER-You are right.
KING SLOWLY wearlly)-Perhaps one OF my chill
dren might DIET might be worse. Providence is
REPoErER-You have no. lost all hopper
case casting his eyes upwards), am in the
HANDS OF THE ALMIGHTY.
The last words seemed to relieve him little; his
articulation became more distinct.
REPoRTER-You have good lawyers; they VIII do
nor you all they can.
KING turning to a colored boy in the CELL
Please to open the window. want to breathe the
fresh air again ito the reporter. have good law
gers and have God Almighty, and have good
he became wss. and could speak no more. II
na De glad 70 see you
Man-as the reporter parted from him. The deor
closed and King was again alone with his misery.
AN INTERVIEW WITH JOHN sCANNELL-
The reporter turned to scannei's CELL John
Scannell was in his shirt sleeves and just about TO
shave himself He greeted the reporter cordially.
II have been very well, thank you," ne said, In
mis- heartiest voice and with his jollest laugh; ~
but I'm sure can't see anything here that would
affect mans health. have gained twenty
pounds since have come here. See how neshy
REPORrER-Your wife takes your fate very much
20 heart, does she not
SCANNELL hanging up his coat)-Oh, my wifeis q
heroine; she is no baby. They don't want any
babies here. My wife Is a heroine AS Tor myself
don't think about my case-not so much as you
REpoErER-And stin 1t must be disagreeable to
owing.
sCiNNELL. dangling heartily don't
know how that would feel; have
NOT GOT THAT FAR YET.
RKP0RTBR-Did you read the account OF Fosters
SCANNELL-Yes; but It didn't affect me much.
take ' life - without j1stincaton / have no sym,
patty with criminals, with thieves and such
people Do you suppose d any man nan. IN the Tomes
A thief only cares for himself: he wouldn't care
A. every man In the Tombs were hung-every man
RRPORTER-Certainly.
scANNELL lin the same jolly strain)-I think he
Up 10 the e aas Is
] go for. don't go for reprieve In the last mo-
ment OF course you're right. don't suppose It
IS very agreeable to swing Dat the man never
came back to tell how II felt
REP0RTER-l never thought OF that.
ScAHNELL-Oh, there have been such cases as re-
euscttating dead men-men who were hanged-Dut
that's only what you read in novels. The most
horrible thing In regard TO hanging I ever read
was the description OF the JEWS last night upon
earth In "Oliver Twist" Or course guilty men
must have such horrible thoughts; but have none
and never shall have any, because
HAVE CLEAR CONSCIENCE.
These men were guilty, but am innocent-as in
uocent as the newborn babe. When | get nm in
the morning feel as happy and innocent as babe.
SHis eyes sh0ne with happy expression.)
RRPORTER-Sheff1in has been sentenced to i'm
prisOnment for life.
scANNELL (his face becoming clouded) -Has he,
That's fearful. would rather 60 to the gallows
than to the prison. wouldn't you
RkPoRTER-No for as long as there is life there
Is hope.
ScArNELI--Yes. but to be in the company OF