Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-11-25
Execution of the MOntrOse
MurdererS.

Execution of the MOntrOse
Murderers.
The execution of Dariel O'Mala and Pat
rick Irving, for the wilsul murder of Mrs.
Margaret O'Msrs, aged soventy-tve years,
and her daughter Mary. aged twenty-four
years, took place at Montrosc, Susquehan-
na county, at half-psst ten O'Clock on the
morning Of the 18th INST
The crime for which they were executed
was committed on the morning of Septem-
Der 27, 1873, at O'Nara's home, about two
miles from Montrosc station, on the line of
the line of the Delaware, Lackawsnna and
Western Railroad.
Daniel OMara was required 10 support
his mother and sister during their lives,
after which he would inherit the small farm
upon which they lived, valued at two thou
sand dollars. Daniel was not satisfied with
this arrangement, 50 he determined to get
rid of them and secure the property CT once.
Patrick Irving was OMara's hired man. 1t
was sid he wished TO :narIy Mary O'Iara,
but she did not favor his suit.
The bodies of Mrs. O'Mara aud daughter
were discovered early on the morning of
the day above mentioned, lying on the
right-hand side of the southern-bound
track, short distance south of the Mon
trOse depot. The hand and lower part of
the arm was severed from the body, and
lay about eleven feet above and on the
other side of the rail. No blood WAS found
near the bodies, either upon the track or
rail The intention of the muidereFs was
evidently to make 1t appear that their VIC
tins were killed by being run over on the
railroad. A wagon-road crosses the track
about two rods below where the vs.lies lay,
and upon this some spots OF hlped were
discovered which aroused suspicion of foul
play. 1t had rained heavily the night pre-
vious, Notwithstanding which line of
blood was easily traced from this point to
0'Mara's house. A bunch of human hair,
a piece of blood-stained rope, and some
shreds Of cloth were also found on the way.
One mile from the house wagon was
found, the tires Of which corresponded
with newly-mGde tracks on the road. Large
blOoG-stains were seen in this wagon. At
the house it was found an attempt had been
made 10 wash the sitting-room floor, which
was not yet dry. Blood-stains were still
distinctly visible on the floor, and spatters
Of blood were seen upon the door leading
to the kitchen. In the next room, whcrc
Mrs. O'Mara and her daughter slept, seine
Of the bcdclothes were missing. and blood
was found upon the bedstead. An ox-tean,
was discovered near the house with blood
stains on yoke and oxen, showing that the
bodies were carried some distance upon the
oxen and then placed upon the wagon. The
physicians who examined the bodies gave il
as their opinion that the women were killed
with some blunt instrument, probably a
bark spud, which was subsequently found
covered with blood. O'Mara and Irving
were arrested on suspicion and taken to
Montrose Jail to await trial. On January
IS they were brought into court, where they
pleaded s'not guilty" The trial lasted un-
til January 23. when the jury returned a
verdict of murder in the first degree. On
January % the court refused the motion
for new trial, and the prisoners received
their death sentences. The PardORing
Rna-.i which q
gument in favor of pardon or Communication
Of sentence, but refused to interfere in the
case. Their death warrants were accord
ingly issued, and Thursday, November Il,
was fixed for their execution. On October
16 Sheriff Beach Helmc read the death
warrants TO them. O'Mara evinced spirit
was not particularly stirred by the announce
ment.
All preparations for the execution were
completed on the previous evening. Much
excitement prevailed because of a rumor
that secret society known as the 80 Molly
Magui-~s" had arranged to make an assault
on the prison during the night, for the pur-
pose Of Gberating the prisoners, but they
did not make their appearance. Att An.
Father Murphy, of Auburn, Pa, and Father
Slatterly, Of Susquehanna, spent some time
with the prisoners, who seemed to have
given up all hope Of earth and were direct
ing all their thoughts towards eternity
They seemed somewhat resigned and hope
full Of the future then.
Having received the last rites of the
Church. at l0:l5 they were led out by the
sheriff to the place of execution in the
courtyard OF the jail, accompanied by their
spiritual advisors. At 1920 they ascended
the platform Of the scatfold. Both men
held their heads down, and spoke no word.
Irving made q slight bow to the 81 ectators.
The sheriff adjusted their caps, and at pre-
cisely half-past ten he sprung the trap,
which raised them four feet in the air,
where they hung suspended for fifteen min
utes, when life being pronounced extinct
by the attending ply sicians, the bodies were
cut down, placed in pine collins and deliv-
cred to their friends.
O'Mara left a written confession in the
hands of Sheriff Helme, in which he states
he entered the house and found his mother
and sister and Irving quarreling, and in a fiji
of passion took up stick of wood and
struck his mother on the head, breaking her
nsck and killing her instantly. lie then