The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-16

threw himself on the bed and tried to sleep. He
he had fallen into q dose, but he suddenly jumped
from the bed and asked Tor more wine, which was
given him. He then said IL was impossible for him
half an hour or 80 Lusignani remained very quiet.
but at the end OF that time of his nervous hts
prayer and called God and his confessor to witness
that he had been guilty OF no crime;
that what he did was done in an un-
guarded moment, without any thought OF the con-
sequences ABOUT one O'Clock he became
hausted and he again tried to Sleep but he could
not. and Father Hickey and his associate priests
again prayed, Lusignanl leaning his head upon the
knees OF Father vassalo He continued praying
tor some tlme ana when he had concluded felt
menced pacing up and down the cell. When lie
had smoked the cigar he sung snatcnes OF hymns,
ana BY turns conversed with the priests.
and made another Intellectual effOrt to obtain
some repose. He fell into DOSE for the first time
during the night, but it only lasted few moments.
mother my mother l die | de" Father Vas
salo put his arm around the poor fellow. and tried
was some minutes before he could be pacifed, and
when the ut had passed he dropped into chair,
completely exhausted AT four O'Clock the priests
but he refused, saying, II sleep only once more;
want no Sleep
lie continued to pace the cell furiously and would
not SIT still for q moment in the same place. He
frequently sung, and prayed often, clasplng the
about halfpast four the sun commenced to RISE and
IL poured flood Of pale light into the cell. bringing
rear Father vassao the Uh and
Lnsignani looking up, said, THAT is my last sun;
i shines for me to-day in heaven" The orb OF
day gradually rose and soon shone with
all its brightness upon the weary watchers.
The cOuntenance OF Lusignani was very
pale, and hts eyes locked wild and wandering. but
he talked cOllectedly, and readily answered all
questions which were asked him. About five
O'Clock one of the most nervous attacks OF the
PRIESTS oA when IN moment he Struck his orehead
with mis- clenched nst anu then buried his face in
the chair, exclaiming in heartrendlng voice.
his frame for, some moments shook with
agony, but , It was agony for Others,
way for some time, but he gradually quoted down.
and Father Hickey, leaving at this time the other
priests, knelt down and prayed ferventy. They
listened attentivcy, every now and then throw
ing himself into the lap OF the priest; lie held up
nos 'g Ae Was for little e ny anG
he then got wild again. lie lit cigar but threw
1t away after smoking minute or two and drank
some wine. When he had drank the wine he
seemed to be stronger, and sang in loud, clear
voice. the "Miserere." after which he sank into
chair.
The Sisters OF Charity arrived at the jail shortly
after six O'Clock and relieved Father Vassal0 who
porter left at the same time and came out upon
the street. The morning was beautiful; the sun
was pouring perfect flood OF glory upon the
houses and squares, and all nature seemed reOc-
ing AS II In mOckery OF the unhappy man within the
prison walls. BY this time the town commenced
get a r WIN 1se n ,h pe 0p TO
tanning a view OF the proceedings About one hun
dred and twenty-five passes were issued by the
Sheriff. the reporters having to trust to Providence
and an officer named John Moore to obtain ad-
mission.
THE LAST MEAL
At seven O'Clock the HERALD reporter returned
to the cell OF the prisoner. LuSignani was sitting
upon the bed waiting for his breakfast. He had
said he would like chicken; but ne changed his
mind and ordered some beefsteak and toast. This
was provided for him and he made hearty meal,
observing that 1t was the last one he should ever
eat. At halfpast seven O'Clock Father vassalo
turned to the jail and administered the last
rites Of the Roman Catholic Church to
Luigi. He seemed to be greatly strengthened
by the ceremony, and he sang the ''Stabat Mater"
with peculiar sweetness Fathers Sherans and
Hickey soon aiterward came, and all the priests
robed themselves in their vestments A raging
thirst seemed to possess Lusignani, and he called
frequently for wine, which was invariably furnished
him. but as 1t was not much stronger than water
II did not have much effect upon him. He adj
dressed himself to the HERALD reporter, the only
the morning, and asked to have 1t stated
that he did not trempe and was not afraid
to die. Rising and walking the cell, he said,
my God, forgive me for my crime. You died upon
the cross: give me strength to die like soldier OF
the cross" He gave utterance to many more
beautiful sentiments. some Of which were very
poetica, asking for wings to fly up to heaven, and
saying that he would be with the angels praying
for his friends before night. He sang impromptu
sonnets about the priests and every one in the
room, and speaking Of the Sheriff. said he was good
ana had provided him with everything necessary
to die.
NEARING THE END.
At nine O'Clock the priests engaged in prayer,
Lusignani kneeling at Father V1ssao's knee, de-
vouty repeating after the priests. While thus en-
poured ortn a hurricane OF talk in his native Ian
guage about his crime and his friends In Italy. He
particularly wished his brother to be informed
that he died pcnitent and a good Catholic
This attack lasted longer than any other,
and 1t was nearly an hour before he was himself
no AFRAID, putting his hand upon his breast ..Me
heart all right II door would open and some one
would say. Luigi, prison for liie me would no care.
am reconciled to my God, and am willing to die.n
Father Hickey at this moment put his hand upon
the head OF the prisoner, and said to him, Luigi,
wn wh Go where sna are
answered. well, take my place; me go under the
bed" Father Sheeran said. Luigi, l have said
mass for you this morning." at which Luigi OBJ
served he would pray for all present in heaven to-
morrow
THE PROCESSION TO THE scArPoLD
IL was now ten O'Clock, and with the execution
OF the priests every one. including the Sisters OF
Charity, whom Luigi tenderly embraced at part
ing. left the CELL Outside the preparations had been
all completed. Company A, OF the Fifteenth regi-
ment Of New Jersey arrived from Orange at about
nine O'Clock, and surrounded the Court House at all
points. All who were not prepared with passes were
refused admission, and 1t was with great diflcuty
that some OF the members OF the press got into the
Court House. Every vantage ground in the vicinity
had been eagerly seized upon, and the adjoining
trees and housetops were alive with spectators.
The windows Of the clerks Office opening upon the
yard were filed, as were also the Court House win.
dows. One side OF. the yard was set aside
for reporters by the Sheriff There were
in the yard altogether about two hundred and ATTY
persons. At hafpast ten Luigi could be heard
singing In clear, firm voice, ''My God, my God
forgive men AS his life came to be counted by
minutes he prayed earnestly with the priests but
showed no sign OF ALTERING
AT few minutes past eleven o. clock the Sheriff
entered Lusgnani's cell ana said to him, "Luslg.
mani, your hour has arrived Lusignani said "Me
all ready me want to die quick Mr.. Eastman the
Jailer, then commenced TO pnon the prisoner, at
that the act implied that he wanted To run
away. When he was informed that it was
necessary 70 plnlon MIN he quietly submitted,
and when his arms had been tied he turned TO the
Sheriff and said :-"Hang me quick; me say moth
ing.n A guard OF soldiers now surrounded the
scanold and the passage leading from the rear OF
the Court House to the gallows was cleared. In
the cell the priests commenced to chant the prayers
for the dying and In few seconda tho