Arizona weekly miner., 1876-01-21
EXECUTION OF MICHAEL DE HAY.
His Statement to Our Correspondent.
CERBAT, A. T., Jan. If, 1876.

IsDIioh MIN lSER.-lO-uSy, hicndei De hd. |, convicted at the November term of the Sd Judicial District of Arizona-Judge Chas. A. Tweed presiding, his crime on the gallows here at Cerbat. On the day previeus to his execution, by request. your corresdondent called on the convict De Hay, and drew up his statement of bis life, and the circumstances attending the murder, which is as follows:
 ''I, Micheal De Hay, being fully aware of my approaching fate, and though recogni- zing the justice of my sentence, feel impeIled to give to the world this my dying state ment, hoping that my fate may prove a warning to others similarly situated as have been, and praying that the circumstances which have hurried me on to dsgraceful end may be avoided by others so situated. was born m Mongoup, Sullivan Co.,, N- f., April 10, 1S30, and am now 45 years of age. At IS years of age went to Greenwood, McHenry Co.,, H., where my father and family had previously settled. In 1850 l went to CalIforDia-crossing the plains. For three years was mining and prospecting in different places there, and then returned to Illinois; afterwards going to Minnesota, and thence to Wisconsin, where in 1856 l became acquainted with and married Esther
 Hemstock, near La Crosse. In 1857 l re-
 turned to California with my family where l remained for four years, working at mining and at my trade as carpenter These dates may not be correct, as 1 have only my memory to rely on, but they are as near as can now remember In 1861 removed to Nevada with my family; lived at Aurora, in E,meralda county, about seven years or until
 1868, and then removed to White Pine, and tie next Spring to Pioche, and thence to Parahnegat Valley in Lincoln county, where my family resided, until in August, 1875, at which time l was at work in Groom Dis trict l60 miles distant from my family, as there was no work nearer my home where had ranch. 1 was working to get money ahead with which to remove my family to some place where 1 could educate my chil- dren, whom deeply loved. 1 was one of C Committee to get school started, and had hired a teacher and made arrangements to remove my family to Hlko At this time, W nen was filled with bright hopes for the future for my children, was almost crazed to learn that my wife had left my home, taking with her my children, team and wa gon and most of my household goods, and had started towards Arizona with NIT. Sut- tonfield, an entire stranger to me, and who, 1 learned, had camped for a few weeks on my ranch. The man who gave me this in formation was a constable, who at the same time served summons on me in favor of Mir. Wilson, a store keeper, for S5l, most of which my wife had obtained in supplies just before leaving for Arizona. I immediately returned to my desolate home, and the next day stsrted in pursuit. My first and great object in following was to get possession of my dear children. 1 passed them at Chlo- ride, six miles from Mineral Park, where they had camped. Had I then followed the dictates of my almost crazed brain, 1 should have then and there stopped and shot both the man and woman who had, as 1 felt, brought ruin on both myself and children, went on to Mineral Park and laid my case before Mir. Davis, to whom had been recon mended to go for advice. Under his advice got out process and had them brought into Mineral Park, but nothing came of it. l then got house for my family to live in, and went to work and bought provisions for us ts live on. 1 did all I could to make them comfortable, an tried by every means tc induce my wife to live with me as before and was willing to forgive the past. To all my appeals she turned deaf ear, continu- ally declaring that she never would resume her marital relations with me. During this time was informed that she from time to time met Suttenfield at his house. This con- ti ued pressure upon my mind affected me both by day and night. l was troubled with horrid dreams, and at times was nearly crazed. The night the act was committed, was completely weighed down with trouble and sorrow, and being suddenly awaked from my troubled sleep saw, or thought l saw, my wife standing over me with butcher-knlfe in her hand. She had been sleeping in one room in our only bed with some ot the children. ana in an adjoining room on the floor When 1 was thus sud den.y awakened, jumped up, clutching my revolver which was under my head and rushed after her into her room. She jump ed into the bed and curled down. and l, in my frenzy, fired at her and drew her out on to the floor. When I saw the blood, and saw what I had done, l was horror struck and rushed out of the house, determined to take my own life, and with this intent placed my pistol to my breast and fired twice. 1 then ran down town and for hours have but a faint recollection of what occur rcd, except that 1 went up and down lad der into a hay-loft At the time 1 commit ted the deed my brain seemed to be on fire and that my head was the center of fire and nladdened frenzy.
 During all the time after my arrival at Mineral Park had never thought or medi- lated on the mnrder of my wife, or to re- venge myself on her for her act of assertion, but had at times mcditated on revenge upon Suttcnfield, as felt that he was the cause of all my misery. l had never hal any serious difficultywith my wife more than few nasty words such as are likely to occur between other husbands and wives.
 make this statement with full knowl- edge that my end is drawing nigh, and that another day will launch me into eternity, where shall meet my Maker face to face. l forgive all who have wronged me, as hope myself to be forgiven by kind and inerciful God"
 [Signed MAcHAEL DE HAY.
 Ths execution took place at l2 NJ. After the reading of the warrant for the execution by the sheriff, Mr. Comstock, the prisoner