The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-06-24
THE PARIS EXECUTION.

HIS ITNOCENCE ON THE tC2FFOAsD- D
MURDERER's NECK BROKEN
IEy Telegraph 20 the sentinel.l
PARIS, ILL, June Is. = T6is morning
dawned clear and beautiful, and. long before
O'Clock, crowds began assembling IN TIE
streets, persons of ell ages and both sex"A.
The women were in the prePOnder
snce and were on every corner,
and much speculation was INDUCED In 10
regard to the hanging of Casey. II was known
that powerful influence hzd been brough.
To bear on Gov. Beverage tor communal
ton of the sentence, and this fact caused the
interest to grow in the case, until it was
positively learned that Gov. BeveTidge
could not be reached, and that even should
the friends of the doomed man obtain
communication with his excellsncy there was
little or no hope for cle.nency. About halt
past 7 O'clock the militia assembled
az the court house, and the
Jail WAS guarded in every
direction. 1t was estimated that $500 PEP
pie were in the street. During the morn
ing, Casey displayed great amount OF cool
ness. and while the BARRIERS were dressing
him he tested and laughed as If he were TO
casion, the barber who was dressing his
hair gave the towel, which was pinned about
his neck, slight jerk. He remarked,
"Don't begin that before il comes time"
On another occasion, he said that lie didn't
want anything of the kind until IL was
forced upon him. The reporters were told
to call in about an hour, when lie would be
dressed and
READY TO RECEIVE VISITORS.
When the time had elapsed, the Rev. r. y
Davis and tour ladies, together with some
members OF the press, were admitted.
Casey manifested no sign whatever of IN
easiness or contrition. Mr.. Davis read a
chapter from the Bible, and alter prayer,
the HYMN "Jesus, Lover OF My Soul, Let
Me to Thy Bosom Fly" was sung, and other
impressive religious exercises gone
through with. The reporters then
attempted to interview him. He said
that he had written letters the previous
evening until IL O'Clock. He then went to
his cell and slept soundly until morning
He manifested not the least show of weak
eaing, and when the party babe him good
bye his voice was as steady as ever. 1t was
supposed that he would have been shufisd |
off at 10 O'Clock, but the hour went by, snc |
the town clock struck 10, startling the waiting |
crowd outside. The drop was six feet four
inches. so that he bad over two feet space
between the ground and the slack of the
rope. One O'Clock arrived AMI the sheriff
and deputy entered the Jail and babe Casey |
say good bye to the other inmates, which he
did without the least show of feeling. His
cheeks showing deeper pallor than usual,
Re was given a wine-glsss full of whisky to
brace his nerves. Just before be stepped |
out of the cell he gave the
MESSAGE
to Walter Hudnsll, of the Peoria Democrat, /
who knows his parents in Mason county, |
Illinois II die happy, and am an inno-
cent man. / know that / do not deserve
DEATH" This was to be delivered also to his
daughter at Peoria. He also told
Mr.. Hudnall that the murdered |
woman was his fourth wife. In the
morning he mad sent 2 copy OF the
following letter to DR.. Whitehead, the fore
man of the jury who convicted him, copies
OF which he also sent to john J. Logan. a
detective, who made some remarks as to his
guilt after his first confession, and John Al. |
Bishop, one of the attorneys for the prose-
cutiOn:
DIR. Whitehead, MD:
1. is my dying request that you be not at
my execution JOHN CASEY.
At1:27 P. NJ. the sheriff and deputy led him |
through the house and into the enclosure.
He walked bravely up the steps, merely |
stopping to shake hands with one OF his at
torneys, Mr.. John G. Woolley. He was
smoking cigar as coolly as thoughhe were
in bar room, not single muscle
seeming to move. He Immediately occupied
the chair under the rope. After the reading
of the death warrent, Casey was asked by
sheriff if he had anything to say. Without
throwing away his cigar, hut simply remov-
ing it from his lips, he arose and said, in an
audible voice, 81 die
AN INNOCENT MAN.
am not afraid 20 die. was falsely sworn
to death. 1 thank God that am an inno-
cent man, and / am glad man. But l am
not afraid to meet my God. i
have the name OF killing my |
wife. but not the crime. do not have this
thing to answer for. do not blame indi-
viduals so much, but do blame the people |
of this county, whose fault it is that am
sentenced to death. lam a poor man and
penniless man. If 1 had had money 1t
would have been different with me. Gods
blessing on ny enemies and those who have |
sworn against me. L have not received
Justice here, but am going to God. who is
just man and who will judge me justly, for
He is a Just man and true judge" Here /
the prisoner got on tip toe and took along,
lingering look in the direction of the town
clock, which was almost directly opposite
him. but which he could not
see on account of the stockade.
Ha continual II have q great deal |