New-York tribune., 1873-05-17
THE DEATH PENALTY.
NIXONs LIFE-FORFETT.

There DrOOaDly never WaS a more maTkeu
distinction between two hanging in almost every re-
speet than was noticeable in the two which occurred
yesterday and the day beforeone, that OF Nixon and
the other that OF the italian, Lusgnani, at Morris
town In the first place. the two men were totally un-
like In appearance character, temperament and nation.
aity. Lusgnani, who expiated his crime Thursday on
the gtlows very young scarcely 24-wth pleasant
rather prepossessng features and eye piercing
and restless eagles Compared with this tragedy
romantic and dramatic from its very inception TO the
last scene under noose the story OF the wretched
Nixon life and crime, familiar to every one is at ana
uninteresting. The hangman however. yesterday was
an ADEPT and the execution OF the IN every
respect well ordered, and not marred by the bunders
which made the at Morristown so revolving.
NxOns imprisonment in the Tombs began on Jan. 22
At that time he denied all intention Of killing Phyfer
except in sefdefense. He always cheerful and APP
parently happy protesting belief that when tried he
would be acquitted The extraordinary delays
which have OF years become marked feature OF
New-York criminal trials we're entirely wanting
in this case for the billposter was poor
and left family utterly dependent on
charity On Aprh the trial resulted. nearly every
body had foreseen verdict OF murder in the first de-
gree When the prisoner received the extreme sentence
OF the law his orttude gave way, and the e0wardce OF
the man left him unneryed and prostrate he remained
in semi-comatose condition for nearly week, so that
a nervous DEATH it thought would carry him be-
yond the reach OF human law But he recovered from
the shock and then fully realizing the utter hopeless
Of his position turned his attention to his spiritual
condition, and became emphatieally an altered man.
Just before 7 O'clock Mrs. Nixon came 70 take her
last farewell OF her husband. and with her came three
ladies' relatives of Nixon The interview took place IN
the corridor before the CELL and was very affecting The
condemned man alone maintained his composure. and,
until the last embrace gwen to his wife, bore HIM
self with camness aud resignation. As soon as his wife
had gone Nixon tered his cell and he and Father Du-
ranquet again enga sed in prayer.
AtI3O a. m. Nixon retired take his last sleep, leav-
ing orders be called az 5J0 and promptly at the mo-
ment Deputy sherifs Hanbury and seebacher, his
watchers awoke Inn, when he washed and dressed him
self quickly. Father Duranquet, who had been in the
corridor all night, with him in moment, and the
knelt in prayer. AT 6:l5 a. IN. Sheriff Brennan ar
rived, and. in his hearty, genial tones, bade Nixon
good morning." and added, az know that need not
ask you TO die ike a can see in your face that
you will do that" Nixon smiled as he replied,
"You need have no fear that account, Sheriff want
TO thank you now for the favors have extended TO
a condemned and poor wretched man. have received
nothing but kindness have been IN your hands,
and from Warden Johnston and his keepers have one
request make. Please don't let Van Buskrk witness
my execution" your request shall be faithfully
obeyed." said the Sheriff, he left Nixon TO his deyo-
tons. Van Buskirk Is the detective who hunted down
Nixon and the latter the morning Of his death
"a
The best proof the apathy with which the execution
OF Nixon was regarded was the comparatively small
number of street OF them Is said, being
from the Sixth Ward where the murderer lived At t746
a. m large force Of police drawn up In front OF
the Tombs, under the command of Capt Kennedy, and
all traffic was stopped until the execution was concluded
large portion OF the Sixth Precinct police marched
into the yard and. forming in the usual hollow square,
acted guard At $50 a. m the Deputy sherns de-
tailed TO attend the execution arrived, Under Sheriff
stevens being at their head and all being clothed in
black throughout with black silk hats and black cloves
and carrying their slaves Of Office Prom this time for
ward everything was hustle. The yard rapidly hiled
with spectators and reporters.
The gallows which loOmed up in its usual naked re-
pulsveness in the corner front Of the female prison,
has history Orts On this scafod Foster suffered
DEATH and earIer rogers OF BToohyn bae neEbo Eb
Sheriff not yet adopted the newer plan which was
employed al Lusignani's and Botts's hangings, which
releases the weight by spring. Here was seen the
same high boarded-up box behind winch the mysterious
Individual who plies his uneuvable trade unseen 0t men
watched thrOu gh "A chnk for the signal OF the shern,
and at proper moment severed VITA an AK the cord
MeanwRile The interior OF Nixous cell a Of
sadness when the sheriff aud the Under Sheriff en-
tered Nixon was PRAYING with Father Duranquet aud
Father Cazeau of st. Francis Xaviers Church on the
entrance the sheriff Nixon looked up but eylnced no
signs OF trepmat0n. Father Duranquet completed his
PRAYER and Nixon 70 his feet He looked at the
shefid inquuingly and Under Sheriff stevens APP
oroached him and said Michael. the time has come
~ ben von must leave this cell forever" Nixon bowed
his head and. catching Father Duranquets eye, said
am resigned TO die My savior was cruclned, ana
TINS Is nothing" Under sheriff stevens said, IL you
want 20 say anything when you get outside, let me
know now" Nixon replied, do not want TO say any
The execntiouers assistant then pinoned him and ad
iusted the slipnOose and the black cap The solemn
eath procession was then formed, Sheriff Brennan on
Nixons right hand, and Under sheriff stevens on MS
t Deputy sheriifs. headed by james Dunphy and
William II. Shields, came behind.
WELL CONDUCTED HANGING.
Al 900 A. NJ the procession reached the foot OF the
seafod and halted and the two priests moved slowly
forward with the condemned man until he directly
beneath Che cord dangling from the crOssbeaIn VA very
few moments spent m prayer. the three kneeng,
and the cuprit pressing the crucihx feryenuy To his
lips The fOrtitude Of the man was surprising among
the previous seven hanqngs IN NeW-norA ~Al
the vicinity there was only one that approaehe9
RRrcInout IN At White Pians LGsignanfs death vas an
exhibition Of bravadO rendered dramatic by LIS IN
.a.a axcItement and nervousness Nixon went out Of
this world softly, salmost The machinery OF death
worked smoothly, the moose Wa adjusted 70 nicely
ments which preclnded the possibility OF such
a disgusting btunder az rendered the late hang-
ing OF Luslgnani utterly revolving. When the sig
nal was given by the sudden dropping OF the under
shers 905 h exactly three minutes nom the
annearance of Nixon outside the CELL the body OF the
s1ndemned man swiftly Ints the air until 1t was
ave feet from the planks. Then ensued the painful
tuggles OF the death agony. quiver through the
wbae 81 body and q slight gasp came from the mouth
the feet and body sprang spasmodically forward
and then for a moment all motioness At g07i, the
I, amivered again was motOnless an instant, and
ar e:os was shaken by a slight motion. From that time
uuti the body was cut down no motion was PercePuOie
Ar OH Drs Nealis and Vandewater felt The pulse OF
H,nn IL was still beating. but feebly AT gl4 there
,,,,s no puse. The body lowered three fest, the
ctnrs and experts placed their 10 the heart and
rsnortad xnt beating AT g2O life declared ex
~, snd 10 minutes later his body cut down.
It is suficient commentary the efficiency OF thls
mode of punishment that. however carefully the moose
- adinsied. the neck Is frequently not broken.
rD reporter inquired Of DR.. N. n Butes, who was
with nearly 20 others, whether the neck OF Nixon
"a heen broken No." he replied, " and he died IN
ra,t AGONY TINS effective a mode OF punish