The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-12-14
Hanging a Desperate.


MODESTO, CAL, Nov. 24-At nine
O'Clock last night Father Reardon left
Collins alone in his cell after giving him
the holy communion. Collins arose at
half-past five this morning, after COM
Portable nights sleep. Father Reardon
was with him again at six O'Clock, and
stayed with him until eight. Collins
sat down to breakfast, eating with an
excellent appetite. He still refused to
be seen by any one but the clergyman
and the Jail officials. Father Reardon
says that he was prepared for death.
He was little nervous. A new suit OF
black clothes and a shirt were taken in
to him at eight O'Clock, land he put them
on without betraying any emotion. AT
half-past ten he was quiet and collected
in manner, except that his hands were
slightly tremulous. Father Reardon
was with him, and on the table were a
prayer-book and a gold crucifx. Col
Inns conversed a little and pressed the
few visitors to take a cigar each, full
box being on the table.
For some years he worked as deck
hand on the Sacramento and San Joa-
quin river steamboats,, and when not at
work spent his time around bar-rooms,
loafing, drinking and quarreling. With
a Mexican, Emanuel Burgeon, he was
almost a terror in the towns along the
river, being powerful, INSCRIPTIONS,
unprincipled bully. He was native
of Ireland, So years of age.
AT half-past IL he left the cell, ac-
companied by Sheriff Rogers and Faith
er Reardon, and walked through the
hall to the room adjoining the iail-yard.
He walked with a sprightly, rolling
gate, and seemed cool and composed.
He sat down by the side of the father
while the death warrant was read, be-
traying no emotion and making &c
movement-his hands being strapped
to his side-beyond bending forward
once and kissing the cruoifx the priest
held in front. After the warrant had
been read he arose and walked up the
steps to the scaffold with the same
sprightly step and composed demeanOr
Arrived at the platform he stepped upon
The trap and looked she Sheriff in the
face. He was placed wrong on the
trap, and at a sign from the Sheriff
turned in different direction, facing
the walls. He had only wrist straps al
the time, and others were quickly adj
justed around his elbows, pinning then
to his sides; his thighs and ankles were
also pinioned. While this was going
on he was repeating prayers after Fa'
ther ReardOn, saying them hurriedly
and nervously. He bore up well, how,
ever, and showed no signs o.
weakness. After the Sheriff took dOwr
the rope which was hanging to one
side, and fixed the knot under Collins
left ear, he turned and whispered MOI
to make it too tight; then looked W
once at the sky and said nothing more
The black velvet cap was then drawn
over his head, and at seventeen minutes
to twelve Sheriff Rodgers cut the core
that held up the weight on the bolt
The trap opened with harsh, grating
sound, and Collins fell through. There
was slight twitching and contraction
of the muscles of the body, but tha
was all, and after two minutes not s
tremor was noticeable. After tel
minutes the coffin, of plain redwood
was taken and placed on two chairs
At five minutes past twelve O'Clock thu
body was lowered and carried by fou
men to the coffin, laid on the lid, anC
examined by the physicians. The cal
was aiken off and the face found yer,
much discolored. The neck was broken