The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-26
SHOCKING GALLONS SCENE.
4 BOY MURDERER Nissan .tT THE
JAIL ~ EITgON, OHIO.
The Rope RrcaLin0, and the Hacv Friiing
20 TIC FLORA struggle with the sheriff
thokcd To ncRIh MiIh srrnnh Knrc.

, The Rope RrcaLinp. md the Hacv Falling
20 the FLORA struggle with the sheriff
'hokcd to Death with IT Second Rnrc.
DAYTON. Ohio, Aug. 2j.-James Murphy
| WIS hanged In the Jail ward IN this city, to-day,
Tor inc murder Of William Dawson, on Sept. l.,
ITO Mr.. Dawson had served CALAMITY in the
war u the rebellion and risen to the rank Of
colonel Ayear ago the 1T of next month be
W found stabbed 10 the heart aud breathing
! ms last gasp In a pool OF bis own blood, in n
! DARK out-oi-the way street. At the time of his
| a'sassina;ton Col Dlwson was the superinten-
deht 81 large mandatory Ia the city. The
murdor was suspected et once to be the work Of
the chain gang. and the suspicion proved true.
This gang is composed chiefly Of Young
roughs from sixteen to twenty years OF age
They roam about the eastern part Of the city.
aud are fainilar with every recess In the mills
and on the canal. They have committed dcpre-
dattons ON propertv, assaulted and robbed men.
aud violated women with IMMUNITY. Several Of
this gang presented themserves at wedding
party In their ne gh orhood on tue night of Aug.
81. $50 The wedding was that OF one ~ the
employees OF Col Dawson, and the Colonel had
been specially invited. Herecoguized the mem-
b'rs u the gang aud denied them admittance,
alu wnen they tried To enter lie ordered them
oil. ihey were obliged 70 retire. Tho affront
was 700 Rreat for them TO forget. Que of their
number obtained Ambulance to the wedding,
and under pretext drew Col. Dawson from the
house to a neighboring street. and there he was
suddenly set upon 10y four Of the gang A short
struggle ensued. Murphy drew n dagger ak
incoes IN length, aud plunged u into Dawson's
sl1e' crushing 10 and penetrating vital part.
Two police officers were standing "a little
above on the opposite side u the street. They
!" ud the scu1le, aud reached tho spot just as
Tue crowd scattered Autphy was IN the act u
striking the fatal blow. The officer nit nj him
with ma club. Murphy warded on The blow
Win his bloody knife, cutting open the officers
sleeve, and then he ran. He was pursued, H-ed
a,.,and MI He fell, droppinS his knife, Uut
tettihE ~ puckl y, escaped but lie was traced
aud cantured. He had two trials. After the
refusal Of the Governor to commute nis SEN
ttnce. Murphy began to realize his position. but
lndlH, rent aud even jpcuiar NJ times. except at
moments when thoughts Of his approaching
uuoin loon possession OF his mind. Then he
became uuoruous and viudictlvo. lie was q
Satholic, ana was attended after his sentence
"Wednesday night Murphy passed in an IN.
easy frame OF mind. Ca Thursday he said to
peace with the Lord. Nv accounts arc short
ana they are soon settled Then he related in
alauehine manner how he and another PRISON
er had great tun tn tickling an old man In
another cell by running straw into his ear.
newspaper mon think you know al about me,
nut you don't. not by damn sight" Toward
ni-ht he more tractaDie. H. called his
counsel, Warren Munger and Elihu thompson.
ana N hde To them a confession, admitting that
a. had committed the crime, put generating
MYERS. CHARGED With having helped Ia the MUIR
der. from all connection with Il.
IuiS morning tie got up and dressed as gayly as
freeman. shaking hands aud bidding farewell
To every one. Father Murphy, the Catholic
priest, pronounced mass. and the prisoner kuelt
aud responded. After this was through he
called Tor Cigars, and when his family came to
thko their Hast leave no received them without
Tue least emotion. After they b.d gone he said
he must nave one more q gar before he stepped
on. IL was brought and, having smoked that
ana drank "a glass Of wine. he walked without
assistance u the -IllOws. ltwa- a black frame,
with the old style drop. lie spoke for ten min
utes, admitting That ne was guilty OF the crime.
Ahu auNsing Others to take warning. Capt.
liiten, tho cOurtlv sheriff, then read the d eath
warrant; the cap was df.wn over his eyes, and
the priest began 10 rrad the Catholic services.
HE sherin was trenl bling that he could
hudlv spring the trap. when he did 80 the
rope, that wts no bigger than a wom1n's nngrr.
broke, and The BODY fell to the floor VII h a thul
thnt shook the building. A cry OF horror went
W iro.1 the spectatOrs. Murphy had to Oe car
RED up the scsfold Second time. A new rope
was ottltncd ana doubled. As t was placed
aoput his neck be caught hold VI the Sheriff
win death grip. what are you going to do
"ith ne now y he said. Then he stood no the
second time his bands crossed and aspiug tho
crutihA. The drop fell AZ l2 =. ". Twcn-
~ minhfe- later ha was cut down. Life was
extinct and the NECK br Ken.