Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-05-17
HUNG.
Death 0f Nixen, OF New Y0rk; O'Aeals
of Illinois; and Mortimer, Of
California.
Fearful Warnings for the Criminal
Glasses---P PrisGners' GOnaaet and
last WOrds-C -COntritiOn Too
Late.
NIXON ExEc5TED.

NEW Y DIRK, May 16.-Miehael Nixon,
who shot Charles A. Pfeifef, in the
street, few moths ago, was hanged in
the Tonbs this morning. Nixon, after
! taking farewell of his family last eve
ming, ate a hearty supper, and remarked,
q This is my last night on earth, and l
have done what neveE did before, ta-
ken two cups of eOffeen He then
prayed with Father Duranquet. At
| twelve o'clock he went to sleep, and
was awakened at five, and soon after
ward assisted at mass offered for his
special benefit by Father Duranquet.
The only words he spoke after this
were, " My Savior was eruei6ed;
this is nothing" At nine o'clock
Nixon left his cell, and walked
firmly 30 the scaffold, Fathers Duran
quet and McKenna on either side. He
carried large erucifix, which he re-
peatedly kissed ferven6iy. Arriving at
the scaffOld he knelt between the priests
and repeated the Lords prayer and the
creed of the Catholic church. The rope
was then adjusted, and without delay
Nixon was launched into eternity. He
died apparently easy. Owing to the
disgraceful scenes at the hanging Of
Foster, Governor Dix suggested that the
law could be vindicated in the case Of
Nixon without gratifying the morbid
curiosity Of the community. NOtwith-
standing the suggestions, the TOmbs
prison was crowded with holders of
tickets of admission to the execution, is
sued from the sheriff s Office.
The examination made by the doctors
showed that Nixon's neck had not been
broken, and that death had resulted
from straBgulatiOn. One of the physi-
clans stated that the sufferings OF the
unfortunate man must have been eX-
treme. 81 cl
JOSEPH O'NEAL's EXECUTION.
CARROLL, Ill, May Joseph
O'Neal was hanged a few minutes after
eleven O'clock this morning, in the Jail
yard, for the murder of Hiram Rexford
on the twenty-second of September last
O'Neal made written confession of his
crime, and SAYS the cause was whisky
and a woman. In his confession he
declares the innocence of his brother
Thomas, who was tried as an accom-
pliee and sentenced to the penitentiary
for fourteen years. The execution was
witnessed By about a hundred people,
but an immense crowd was in attend
anee outside.
CHICAGO, May 16.-A special from
Mount Carroll, Illinois, gives the follow
ing account of the execution of Joseph
O'Neill there to-day: "O'Neill was
taken from his cell a few minutes be-
sore eleven o'clock, and was attended by
Fathers Lack, Bartoff and Nighe. The
sheriff and two deputies had him in
charge. He walked with a firm step to
the gallOws, and ran nimbly up the
steps to the platform. He died game,
showing no nervousness whatever,
A short prayer was read by
the priests, when he kissed !
the crucifix and the religious cere-
monies ended. He then kissed the |
priests and shook hands with them. |
The sheriff then adjusted the cap, and |
O'Neal spoke as follows: Gentlemen, |
my little brother Tommy is innocent.
ann gHilty of this crime, and | am glad |
and willing to give my life for the one 1 |
have taken. die the friend of every !
One-I am the enemy of no one.' Ad- |
dressing Mr.. A. s. Mckinley, of Clinton, |
he asked him If he would take his body |
to his mother, who said he would. At !
eight minutes past eleven o'clock /
O'Neal's pulse ceased to beat, and at
twenty minutes past eleven o'clock the |
heart ceased To beat. He was cut down |
at thirty minutes past eleven o'clock
and placed in his coffin, which stood
by the scaffold."
CHARLES MORTIMER HUNG.
SAN Francisco, May 15.-CharIes
Mortimer was executed at Sacramento
to-day for the murder of Mary Gibson.
He was really insane, or else feigned
to the last moment. He did
not recognize his brother, minister,
or others. He did not utter a
word, and seemed not to comprehend
his position. No emotion was visible in
his cOuntenance. He was considered the
worst criminal in California.