The New York herald., 1876-03-15
NJ 'C0NNELL HANGED.
Execution at Hamilton, Ont,
for Murder.
HUMAN BUTCHERy AVENGED
Story Of Horrible Crime and It's
Just Retribution.
HAMILTON, ont, March IA. 1874

atty of the law for the murder OF Nelson NILS, the
particulars OF which have already been given in the
HRRALp The convict went TO sleep last night about
ten O'Clock aud slept with apparent com ort until five
thls morning. when he arose and engaged in religious
exercises with the attendant clergyman
About twenty minutes before the execution, which
took place Al eight O'Clock in the Jail yard, he had a
conversation with the reporters and Others with whom
he talked quito cheorfuIy. He did express coptri-
tion for his crime, but said he thought If his victim
lad been more moderate with the rent two lives
would have been saved
THB ExEcurioS.
AT precisely eight O'Clock, his hands having been
pinloned In company with the Sheriff and his officers
he walked 70 the soafrold, which considerable dis
tancc from his CELL He walked along the hall out into
the 1ard and up the steps OF tho scafod without an
apparent tremor and without change in his face
After shaking hands with the Sheriff, reporters and
officers OF the jail and kissing the Rev. Mr. Smith, tho
doomed man addressed few words TO those present,
again appearing 10 lay the whole blame on
tho want OF moderation shown by Mr. Mills,
and saying shat ho innocent Of
intention to murder him. nc then knelt, his legs
pinioned and the rope adjusted. The black cap was
drawn over his eyes At this he monned a little aud
kept repeating, "oh oh poor Mcconnell" He then
uttered short and earnest prayer during which his
yoco faltered little The Rev. Mr. Smith offered up
sprayor and when he reached the word deliver in
she Lords prayer the bolt drawn and the unfor-
dropped through the trap door, distance of
leet Tho execution well managed, as hardly a
lremor visible in McConnol's body after he fell.
Death appeared TO have been instantaneous.
TnE BurcHERISG MILLS
The crime for which Mcconnell hung was the muir
der Of James Nelson Mills his landlord on the 5th Of
January, In this city. Trouble between them on
account Of Mcconnell allowing his rent to fall
mcnts which he had promised On the 4th OF January
Mill,' agent made demand for the rcrt and on the
following day he had McConnell's effects selzed
landlords warrant Mcconnell, who was u butcher,
upon him and informed him OF what had taken place.
The Information seemed to have aroused
all the terrible temper for which tho
was notorious among his fellow butchers,
and he Immediately selected OF his knives and
sharpened IL From the market he walked straight 10
Nelson Mills house his wife accompanying him.
Mills not in, but Mcconnell met him Just no
lett the house. and after brict paroy drew the knife
from his sleeve and attacked him urously, nnicting
wound after wound upon his body. The woman
screamed "Murder," but no assistance camc in
sponsc, and alter falling down once or twice the
wounded managed TO crawl into his house, as
sisted by his vile. He died OF his wounds after suffer
ing for TOUR days, and before death made statement,
which used as evidence against Mcdonnell in tho
trial. which commenced January 81 and lasted two
days
The trial OF Mcdonnell was begun on the 31st of
January Mr.. Justice Moss presiding The appearance
Of the prisoner and the circumstances oil mis-
gwen as follows in the Globe
The peculiar boodthirsty character of the assault
led unconsciously to tho impression that the
prisoner must be a powerful, daring and dan
gcrous looking man, who would have been gad-
ator IN old Roman days, and who even now, with
s'kyves upon his wrist would hIl the observer with
sympathetic tcrrors The disillusIon was complete,
almost Illuminating The prisoner is about five feet
four inches in height rather slight build ap-
pcarancc put together in fashion that gives no notion
whatever Of The physical strength iha. would % make
snamblng gait, and stands aud moves with an air Of
irresoluton He has an ordinary looking face
straight sharp nose, Goep set and small,
frequently wnking eyes and wears specta
eles; thin, compressed lips; an average
sized head the forehead narrow and slightly prOtuber
ant with sigIs OF mental activity. He looks, as OBJ
served the very OF tho typical murdcrer
ing an anxious expression, beneath which, however
there Is dscovcrabe species OF reserved force that
would be very unlikely to guard against, It's
ercse would never be looked for but which being called
into play would weapons in its reach. Mr. J.
S. Sinclair oil Goderich, assisted by Mr. b. b. Oslcr
County Crown Attorney for Wentworth, conducted the
case for tho Crown, Mr. John Crerar. Hamilton, APP
pcarcd for the prisoner. The evidence Tor the Crown
o the most direct character being cheny that OF
witnesses of the bloody deed. The following testi
mony OF one witness was fully corroboratcd by tho
others who esthed;-
Thomas Hayes-Saw tho prisoner near Mr. Mills
place the morning in question, and tho woman ths
wIic; his manner peculiar, as II he was IN n pas
son, stopping Tor moment 10 say something, ana
then hurrying up again directly the witness heard the
scream Of murder RON a woman and looking up ho
taw Mr. Mills followed by the man, who had a knife
In his hand, and who was making blows at him; Mr.
Mhs fell, and before he got away the upon
him ami stabbed HIM about the head; Mr. Mills got
away and overtakcn on George street, when
the stabbed him In tho bowels, the blood follow
ing the blow; then the man stood back and looked
steadily the the ground, shook his head aud
turned and walked away; witness followed him TO hls
house. where Detective Mcl'horson arrested him;
Constable Smith came up then and said Mcconnell
are you out OF your mind Yn and the prisoner said
'No IL was Nelson Mills, and you have not got TO the
bottom OF ityet" The witness related with frshtiul
GOODNESS and particularly that he saw the prisoner
pause and wipe the blood OF tho knife blade with hts
bngcf and thumb.
make post niortem on the DO ly OF Mr.. Nelson Mills
DR. white was the Coroner; Drs Vernon add Husband
were assisting The wounds were. the
forehead three and halt inches long; another, ap-
parcny stab lc side Of frontal bone, thrccquartcrs
Of an inch long, an incised wound three and half
inches long, from above the LEFT eyebrow down across
the cheek another the right hip, penetrating 10
the bone None OF tho foregoing Dr. Campbell stated,
specially endangered life. lie procecded; ore on the
lef Of the back, about four inches from the spnc be-
the eleventh and twelfth ribs, slantng upward
aud inward, penetrating the cavity OF tho chest and
piercing the lungs; puncturcd wound In tho cpgas-
trium, about an inch from the median line. There
were seven wounds in ALL and the doctor was only sur
prised that tho man had lived as long as he did
At the CONCLUSION OF this evidence tho Court ad-
journed until the following day. The prisoner main
tantd attitude OF constant attention, like man lis
tenng 10 some strange narration and little or none
different in his demeanor from any one IN the audience
al the portion OF the evidence most revolving In
It's deiailA An incident at the close OF tho day
when the crowd dispensing not without feel
ing A little boy about twelve years old OF the
prisoner crept up IN the confusion and succeeded
getting hola OF his fathers hand, which he held gazing
INTO MS Iooc Win inc tears streaming from MS eyes
Tho poor wretch looked down upon the innocent lad
showing emotion, but tapping gently with his
myers on the boys head. The little fellow re-
moved, his heart bursting With distress.
The jury returned verdict OF "Gmlty" No other
conclusion was possible The plea OF insanity was set
up by the prisoners counsel. but II proved abortvc
Alter thc verdict had been returned IN reply 20 the
usual question what he had TO say why tho sentence Of
death .ahould not DO passed. Mcconnell addressed
the ConA for the purpose OF creating sympathy rep
resenting himself an ll-used man against whom
svery person seemed 10 conspire He concluded az
loors:--'I am a member of no society; do not be
Ilevo in societies and believe what We need Is
society protect society. II have been rash have
been driven 10 H. and leave tho public TO say whether
have been treated with great cruelty or not y
The Judge then proceeded 10 pass sentence tho pris
oner interruptng him by saying, "l not guilty
OF the murder OF MilS" lie then sentenced 10 he
executed to-day the 11ih Of March Since his arrest
and confinement In ia Mcconnell has expressed no