The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1873-02-20
Execution Of Gafnev.


Gattney, the Buffalo desperate, was ex-
eeuted in that city on Friday. for deliber
tteiy shooting 4 companion in cold blood
GREAT efforts had been made for Il pardon,
but GOV. Dix was imm0vable The fol
owing is an account of the death scene
On Thursday afternoon the condemned
uan had an affecting interview with his
Is lie and two children He made his wife
promise to abandon gay dress, 90 to
'lurch and live a Christian life From
his boy lac eXacted Il promise never TO
irink liquors, play cards, never swear or
break the Sabbath day. Gafnev. ia ad-
dressing the boy. said M you will do
Us | ask, you viii never he brought 10
where your poor papa now is From the
tile girl he eXacted a similar promise He
-iept well during portion OF yesterday
afternoon and ate L hearty supper last
night Gatfney aWoke ut six O'Clock this
morning after passing very restless night
iaultor Harris visited him between one
4nd two O'Clock this morning, when he
complained that his fate was Il very hard
Hue tor so young ii man. At eight O'Clock
this morning he partOok OF a slight break
last consisting OF eggs, tea and toast. At
nine O'clock his weeping wife and two
children, with a few OF his relatives. were
taken to his cell to bid him their last fare
we'll His coffin was brought in at 7
% clock. Ii is an elegant rosewood casket.
and has a neat silver plate bearing the in
scription died, February A, 1878,
John Gatfney, aged . years. and has an
apper disk attached with an engraving on
4 halt wreath OF inmOrtellcs with a cross
IN the centre having the Inscription: al
II S"
Great care was taken that the execution
should be as private Us possible, and few
persons, beyond the prison officials and
representatives OF the press, We're adj
mtted. The procession left the jail for the
gibbet at ll46 o'clock in the following
order: Sheriff Cleveland and Under
Sheriff Smith, the clergymen, and lastly
the prisoner, supported by the guard and
Deputy Sheriff Powell Sheriff Cleveland
took his position at the lever which he
was to spring, and the rest of the party
ascended the platform OF the gallows.
tfattney, attred in black gown. with
the fatal moose around his neck, mounted
the gallows platform with a steady step
and took his position directly in front OF
The trap, The under sheriff then read the
Ntdth WARRANT, dllel WllltnTdlntN stepped
forward to speak. The priests tried to
dissnade him, but he said: II must speak
and tell these gentlemen the truth" He
finally disengaged himself and came for
ward, saying, Il shall speak"
In clear voice he spoke seven minutes,
telling them the circumstances of his
crime; how his brother-in law, who was
sober at the time, handed him a revolver,
and ne in the frenzy of drink. That
brought him to this disgraceful end. He
acknowledged feigning insanity, and said
he would do anything to prolong his life
even though it was spent in a dungeon.
lie would have the comfort OF seeing his
lamly. He asked forgiveness from all
Hose he had injured. The priest then
offered up the prayers contained in the
Litany Tor the Dead His arms and limbs
were pinioned, the black cap drawn over
his head, the knot adjusted, the signal
given, and at ll.5S A. NJ the sheriff
pressed the lever, the bolt shot back,
letting the drop fall, and the body Of John
Hatfney fell six feet.