The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-17
NIxON'S NEMESIS.
How Michael Nixon Shuilled Off the Nor
tai Coil on the MuEdcrer'S ScafOld.
Review Of the Crime, Arrest,
Trial and Conviction.
TIVE LAST LOOK AT LIFE.
His Prayers for His Wife
and Children.
FAITH STRONGER THAN DEATH.
A, The FINAL Moment lie ''FOrgives His Enc.
mics and Thinks He Deserved His Fate.
FAITH STRONGER THAN DEATH
Al The FINAL Moment lie "FOrgives His Enc.
mics and Thinks lie Deserved His Fate.
TIE HORROR OF HANGING
The Curtain Falls Upon the Closing
Scene of a Terrible Tragedy.

Charles II. Phyier ana the murderers body is
already now in the grave. Indeed hanging is not
''payed out'' in New York. Amy one who saw the
body OF the murderer dangling in the air yester-
day would have confessed that hanging was not
yet "payed outn here.
murder and then an execution; life for life.
Nixon might be enjoying happy life and happy
home to-day. What agony, what disgrace, what
pain would have been spared him had he not shot
Phyfer in the frenzy of a moment! The 21st OF
January was sad day for Nixon. He had been
guilty OF many petty Offences but he had
never killed human being. lie had been
drinking that day, and as a man on horseback
In his way he roughly ordered him to turn
from the track. From the Bowery Theatre to
Chatham square they kept shouting at one another.
Nixon then attempted to dash past the man, put
the latter's
HORSE PLUNGED AND REARED,
and Nixon's wagon was forced back to the side
walk. Nixon was furious He drew revolver.
brandshed 1t above his head, then TOOK aim, and
fired at the mans head. The shot was well aimed
Phyier threw up his arms and fell upon the side
walk He was shot through the head, and had not
been in the Park Hospital ten minutes when he
died.
NiXon's conduct after he had been arrested, was
extraordinary "A fellow was going to strike me
said, coolly to Detective Van Buskirk who arrested
him III Baxter street. and he showed him his revolt
yer, which he had always been in the habit of car
rying with him. In the police station he said
to Captain Ulman, 81 wasn't gong to sit like
foo and let him strike me, so just pulled out my
revolver and shot him. He said this with the
greatest indifference and unconcern, and as though
he was glad to have killed Phyler. He evidently
thought it was glorious thing to have taken
human life; he undoubtedly felt himself hero.
While in the Tombs he laughed at the assertion
that he could be hanged. He little
THOUGHT now SOON HE WAS TO DIE.
on the 3lst OF March he was arraigned. His trial
lasted three days. on the ID OF April the jury
brought in verdict OF guilty and on the fol-
lowing day he was sentenced to be banged. All his
bravado left him. He trembled like an aspen leaf
and listened TO the sentence with face Of ashy
paleness. He was completely overcome and broke
down under the announcement OF bis terrible fate.
1t IS scarcely four months yet, and Nixon is dead.
The HERALD OF yesterday contained an account OF
his farewell to his children OF his aectionate part
ing from his wife. 1t was not his last. The fond
wife could not leave him Sc easily. she returned
late on Thursday evening TO see him once more.
She kissed him wildly, she threw her arms
around him and sobbed. He remained silent. His
hair was scattered his forehead, but he tossed
his head. She dropped her head and then looked
at him silently Not word, not breath. She
kept still looking at him. His face was hid, but
the tears sprang cut from between his fingers. He
could control himself no longer.
"God God what have done ~ he cried, and he
BURST INTO PARoxYsM or TEARS.
She loved him yet. He was a murderer; be was
condemned TO die q felons DEATH but she was stu
true to her vow-she was still his wife.
III ! could only save you,n she said, clasping
both his hands in hers and looking him steadily in
the face. 1t was painful moment. His eyes were
swimming in tears and q trcmor confused his
frame. He wanted TO speak but he could not. II
seemed as though his tongue was ceaving TO his
mouth. His lips moved, but II was IN vain. lie
could not speak,
Glow can part nom you?" she ead. weeping
bitterly, chow eau leave you knowing you viii
have to die tomorrow ?''
He kissed her tendcrly and pressed her TO his
heart. "Ohi | know it Is disgraceiui death 10
die he said, .'but, alter al, / would not change
my lot lhs voice laltercd and he pausedl i would
not change my lot with any living man."
And then came words OF love, OF devotion, Of
fidelity beyond the grave. The grave IL was .
lation. He would not be iorgotten-hls wife would
remember him even
THOUGH HE WAS WONDERING IL MS GRAVE.
my good wife, he said speaking slowly and SOL
EMMY, as though he ielt that these words were TO
be the last he could speak 10 her upon earth -
have but little to tell you. Don't be worried
''How can help II" she exclaimed, passion.
atey.
feel that my hour has come In His own good
time.v
''But the terrible disgrace" she moaned.
lyon must try and live dcwn the disgrace OF my
death.n he said holding her still 10 his heart He
implored her TO take good care OF the children,
thanked her for her true love and fidelity, anu
went TO a desoate, bignted home. lie walked
back to his cell to prepare himself or the galiows
led out OF the room.
IN heaven she bresthed in low tone. lie
sued. His wife was gone. No more KIND words
anu vows OF love and deyotion-nothing but death
remained.
lie returned sadly TO his CELL He looked around.
ALL WAS so STILL AND SILENT.
lie SAT down anu was evidently still thinking OF
ms VIE. lie murmsred her name and spoke to
her. lie was recalled to himself by Father Du.
ranquet, who began praying Nixon prayed too.
LIS eyes sa0he MIN strange light as he looked
sighed. What deep deep sigh No words could
have expressed the anguish he must have felt He
paced the cell and beat his head with his hand
amer q few minutes he listened again 20 the Rev
iatneris kind words and became calmer. lie was
finally prevailed upon TO go out INTO the corridor
There he smoked for half an hour; he seemed to
enjoy it, and then he prayed again with the priest
When ne returned TO ms cen ~ , was nirat-the
words ;'In twenty four hours nom now SHAH be
IN my ~ he said. lie staid but short while
III his cell, and az midnight he ate supper IN the
corridor. He could not eat mucn--a piece Of brcaA
ana some cofee--that was all.
He went back into the cell and tried TO sleep, but
could not. lie
BEGAN SPEAKING ABOUT mrs CASE.
and expressed his conviction that some Of the wit
ucsses who had testified against him had done HIM
wrong. lie seemed also to have some little feeling
against the District Attorney, but finally said 90
Father Duranquet that he would make his peace
with the world and give them all.
,Oh, my dear fatherl' Nixon said, taking his
nand, I'm ready 70 dein
The two deputy sherirs, Messrs. Hamburg and