Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-12-17
NEW FORK MEMS.

have u~nderyalued n~inety-hve cases Of
silk fringe for dresses, worth 800, 900,
|. The bonds Of the firm are fixed at $400.
, 900. Mr.. Triacea, one of the partners,
says the prosecution is an attempt to
blackmail the firm. The informer is q
discharged salesman in the fringe de-
partment. The firm has a house in Der.
lin and a branch in Paris.
Weston, Ellis and Thompson, (colored
mem, we're hanged in the Tombs prison
at 9:35 this morning, for the murder Of
Abraham Weissburg, q peddler, in Sep
TENDER last. The Evening Post says
that the scene at the Franklin street en-
trance to the Tombs, before the opening
of the doors, was suggestive rather of a
Tammany Hall ward meeting than Of an
assemblage OF men collected to witness
the enforcement of the lave. The crowd
increased every moment, and long before
3 o'clock long lines Of men, all clamor-
GUS for admission, formed in Franklin
and Centre streets. The entrance to the
prison was completely blocked, and the
police we're compelled to use no
small degree of force to clear
the way for the officers detailed to
preserve order within the walls.
At about 9:l5 am. the doors we're
opened for the admission Of reporters,
and a rush from all sides followed. The
police insisted on the exhibition Of
badges, but in the confusion many per
sons secured admission who had no
right whatever to consideration. When
the interior of the prison was gained the
ticketholders made q rush toward the
place of execution, but were checked by
the police in front Of what is known
az the 'Ten-Dsy House" and a dense
crowd formed, in which reporters,
deputy sherifs, special deputy sherifs,
politicians and others we're mixed up in
inextricable confusion, and pushing and
struggling were resumed when it was
found that admission to the scaifold was
to be gained only through a narrow gate
way in the fence that ran across that
part Of the yard on which the gallows
was erected. Most disgraceful scenes
ensued, and the police in vain struggled
to preserve order. A violent rush was
made for the gate. and all those persons
who had the right Of entrance were com
PEELED either to fight every inch of
their way or to remain outside. For a
period of ten or fifteen minutes the strug.
gle ragged f~uriously, and the condemned
men in their cells must have heard the
oommotion excited by a desire to witness
their death struggle. Something like
order was restored at last, the police suc.
ceeding in forming q line, and the sight
seers who we're unable to get into the in.
ner yard contented themselves with
climbing upon a coal Din outside the
fence and seizing every spot Of ground
from which a glimpse Of the gallews
could be had. Comparative quiet
was then maintained until the mo.
meut Of the execution. After the
arrival OF Sheriff Conner at the
prison there was not much delay. The
men we're pinioDed, as usual, in their
cells. At halfpast nine they we're led
out to the gallows. Weston walked 6rst,
followed by Thompson, each supported
by Catholic priests. Ellis, who brought
up the rear, was attended by fsur clergy
men OF different denominations. As
they stood on the scaffold the attendant
clergymen whispered q few last words in
their ears and the Sheriff. assistants
fastened the!ropes. No time was lost, for
at 1925 an. Sheriff Conner gave the
signal, the weights we're let 90 and the
bodies of the three murderers we're lifted
into the air. A most horrible scene then
occurred. Weston died easily, no motion
OF his frame being percep,ible except a
brief shudder and an occasional con.
traction of the legs. Thompson appa-
rently suffered more; bis body shivered
from head to foot, his breast heaved and
he raised his arms several times, and
working his fingers convulsively. But
the mode Of Ellis death was the cruelest
OF all. At the last moment, after the
moose had been adjusted, be suddenly
turned his head and d~isArranged the DO
sition Of the knot. Before it could be
resdjusted the signal was given and the
weight fell. The knot slipped and be-
came fixed beneath bis chin. he began
to wriths terribly, and placing his
feet against the boards at the side Of
the scafold, he attempted to raise him
self and relieve the strain upon his neck.
He then swung around and convulsively
seized Thompson, who was hanging next
to him, and again ~endeayored to raise
himself. he even succeeded twice in
clasping bis legs around Tbompson'a
waist, and by thus easing bis neck was
enabled to breathe more freely; and to
prolong his agony be even seized the rope
just above the knot, his arms having
been fastened too loosely, and as
he did so his pocket-bandkerchief
which was in his hand when he was
swung into the air fell over his shoulder.
he was heard to cry aloud, Save me-
and his breath was plainly observable
as il issued beneath the cap that covered
his face. Strong mer turned away, pale