The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1876-12-14
Hanging q DesperadO.

MODESTO, CAL, Nov. pat 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 n 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 vas o little nervous. A new suit OF
black clothes and a shirt were taken in
to him at eight O'Clock, and 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 Rcardon
vas with him, and on the table were q
prayer-book and a gold cruciix. Col
Inns %conversed a little and pressed the
few visitors to take u cigar each, u 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 u powerful, INSCRIPTIONS,
unprincipled bully. He was n native
of ireland, 80 years of age.
AT half.past IL he left the cell, nc,
companied by Sheriff Rogers and Faith
er Reardon, and walked through the
hall to the room adjoining the jail-yard.
He walked with n sprightly, rolling
gate, and seemed cool and composed.
lie sat down by the side of the father
while the death warrant was read, be.
traying NO emotion and making lie
movcment-hi5 hands being strapped
TO his side-beyond bending forward
nee and kissing the cruciiix the priest
held in front. After the warrant hat
been read he arose and walked up thu
steps to the scailold with the sam,
sprightly step and composed dcmeanor
Arrived at the platform he stepped upol
the trap and looked she Sheriff in tn,
face. He vas placed wrong OF Thu
trap, and at n sign from the Sherit
turned in q different direction, facin,
the walls. He had only wrist straps u
the time, and others were quickly al
justed around his elbows, pinning then
to his sides; his thighs and ankles wcr
also pinioned. While this was goin,
on he was repeating prayers after Fla
ther fteardon, saying them hurried
and nervously. He bore up well, how
ever, and showed no signs c
weakness. After the Sheriff took dow
the rope which was hanging to on
side, and fixed the knot under Collins
left ear, he turned and whispered II,
to make it too tight; then looked IL
once at the sky and said nothing more
The black velvet cap was then draw
d, over his head, and ut seventeen minute
to twelve Sheriff Rodgers cut the cor
9 that held up the weight IN the Dol
2 The trap opened with a harsh, gratin
sound, and Collins fell through. Thel
, was a slight twitching and c%ontractio
t of the muscles of the body, but thu
vas all, and after two minutes not
: tremor was noticeable. After te
l minutes the coffin, of plain redwood
/, was taken and placed on two chair
At five minutes past twelve O'Clock Il
body was lowered and carried by fol
men to the coffin, laid on the lid, ar
examined by the physicians. The ca
was AIKEN off and the face found vel
:, much d~iscolored. The neck was broke