The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-08-25
The Murder

was an unprovoked, coWardly and cruel
as assination. On Tuesday evening.
August 81, party was given in honor OF
the marriage Of Augustus SheckeIhotf
and Miss Agnes Neenabor; and the
company had gathered in the hall over
the saloon on East Fifth street, kept by
John A. Barlow,
The groom being one Of the workmen
OF Colonel Dawson's shop, the latter
gentleman took a lively interest In the
festivities.
James Murphy. who, by the way, had
sustained all unenvlable reputation, be-
ing, as WAS alleged at the time, mem
ber OF y company OF roughs known
as the "Chain Gang" entered the
nall, and not having the necessary card
of Invitation, was Informed by the de.
ceased that he must leave. He did
leave, but with su,len air and mutter-
ings of discomfort.
A few minutes after O'Clock Col.
Dawson in company with Que
Of the guests of the party LETT
the hall TO obtain some refresh
ments at Weidner's beer hall; rea oh
ing the house they found it closed
and started on their return, and had
got few PAGES east Of Commercial
street, on the south side OF Firth, when
they were attacked by Murphy and q
companion.
Police Officer F. J. Funk, who was at
the place when the murder was commit
ted, testified at the CoronoPs inquest
that he saw Murphy give Daw-
son push, as it appeared;
aud then saw him strike
him in the side with dirk; the officer
coming up bOhind the assassin mo-
nent later, he was turned upon, recelV-
Ing cut with the knife through the
sleeve.
Murphy ran, O1icer Funk firing at
him with his pistol, but without effect.
He Was subsequently arrested at his
house and taken to jail amid The angry
threatenings o an excited mob.
Four other men were arrested at the
same time as Murphy ana underwent an
examination for completely in the crime,
but all save two were eXonerated and
set at liberty.
The other two, Petty and Meyers,
were bound over to the Grand Jury on
the charge of aiding and abetting the
principal criminal, and then conviction
following In due season they were
sentenced to term of years in tue Peni-
tenLtary. where they are now confined.
Murphy has had excellent counsel,
who have done all in the power OF mortal
man to save him from his ignominious
fate.
A powerful pressure has been brought
to bear on the Chief Executive OF the
StLa0; petition after petition, pleadings
ana remonstranceS have been made
his devoted father, an honest, hard
working mechanic, much respected In
his humble circle, has done all that his
almost broken heart could dictate; his
loving sisters, whom III the days OF his
lawless wildness he has abused most
shameiully, often compelling them, it is
said, to abandon their beds and take
refuge with kind neighbOrs-have weep
ingly implored clemency-buta all efforts,
pleadings and remOnstrances have
failed, and Gov. Hayes has refused per-
empt0rily to interfere with the course of
justice, and his lie must pay the penal
W for the act done in moment of mur-
derous excitement.
The Condemned
Is rather q pre- assessing young ma .,
wish light, short, curly hair, light eyes, |
which to q close observer reveal some
thing sinister and devllish in his dispo- |
sition, nose very prominent, and mouth |
which Is large and sensual. He pas ed |
his nineteenth birthday in Jail under |
sentence OF death. He is rather 81 light |
OF build, and short, not more than five |
feet one inch tall.
Being naturally OF the blonde type, his |
long confinement in gloomy cell has |
taken all color from his face, and he has |
that peculiar ghost-like complexion |
Of those whose lives are |
with the health-giYing prop
critics of the sun and fresh, braclng air. |
His conduct since his residence with the |
Sheriff and his gentlemanly !
deputies and assistants has been most |
exemplary, and he had begun to be re-
garded with sort Of an affection by all |
those with whom he was brought in ire-
Quent contact.
Many of the charitable and philan-
thropic ladies CT this beautiful city nave,
taken great interest in the Unfortu-
since he was doomed to death, but hat
some one of them mas visited him in his
cell and prayed with him on those sub
eots best calculated to bring his mind
to realization OF his awful condition,
and at the same time prepare him tor
mis- tate,
Prominent among these Christian la
dies might be mentioned Mrs. Winters,
a lady whose unremitting attentions
have inspired The poor boy with the live
liest emotions of Veperatiou and respect,
and whom at her last visit he implored |
most earnestly TO come and see him
die--a singular reque land one that the |
lady's sensibilities would not permit |
her to grant.
The father, sisters and friends of the |
doomed man are devout Catholics, and
the priests have been with him daily |
to his spiritual needs. A
STAR reporter, accompanied b. one OF
the guards and few journalists, visited |
him in his cell last evening, but ss
he had sgpiied desire to be left alone
and refusing to talk, the reporter, of
couis could do no more than take a
briet glance and retite. r
He did not seem to be unusually de-
jeoted, on The contrary, he appeared |
calm and resigned, and bore up under the
with wonderful composure, and
our look with steady and re-
spectful gaze.
At IL T. M,-his last night on earth
Deputy Freeman informed the inquirer
that the prisoner had sank to sleep. All
day his cell had been besieged by call
ers-hls relatives, friends and news
paper men, and he was very weary when
IL .ght came; and with the equest that he
should not be distur bed un I'll the morn
ng Of the execution, lie stretched him.
,aIf on his cot and soon forgot in his