The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-12-07
THE BERGEN HANGING
Another Execution in a Most
Bungling Manner.
The Rope Slips, and Another Hang
ing is Necessary.

MT. VERNON, O., Dec. TO A. NJ
The crowd around the Jail this morning
numbers about two hundred and is in
creasing as the hour for the execution
approaches. A great many have come
in from the country, owing to a rumor
that the execution would be public.
Bergin, after bidding his mother and
friends farewell, last night, requested
that Sheriff Gay occupy his cell during
the night which request the Sheriff,
complied with. The Sheriff entered the
apartment at 1880 O'clock and remained
with the prisoner until $3.50 this morn
| ing.
At 4 o'clock Bergin fell asleep and
slept until 80 O'Clock. During the
night Bergin was quite talkatlYe and
appeared as calm as if no unusual event
was to transpire. He made special
| apreal to the Sheriff to exclude report
ers, and then went so far as to threaten
| that he would have an injunction put on
| the Sheriff, which Would prevent him
from admitting any one excepting the
assistants, clergy and those personally
| Interested. He had no hesitancy in
speaking OF his execution, but seemed
rather anxious to talk OF The event. He
| will not say a word on the scaftold, de-
string only prayer offered by the min
listers, unless he thinks that there are
too many present, in which event he
jmay scare the reporters.
He told the Sheriff in confidence some
things concerning his past lie, which Of
course the Sheriff will keep secret.
He requested that the rope should be
a cotton one, which has been complied
| with,
Sheriff Beebe Of Montgomery County,
EX- Sheriff Beach of KnOx County, and
Sheriff SheTrard OF Putnam, are to assist
Sheriff Gay.
At 8 O'Clock this morning Bergin's
mother and youngest son went to the
clothing house of j. SJautfer & Son and
purchased black cloth coat and black
doeskin pants and had them sent TO Ber-
gin at the Jail.
At 8 O'Clock Bergin partook Of hearty
breakfast sent 10 him from the curtis
House.
1880 A. M.-Auditor Castle and Rob't
Miller, Esq, have just called at the Jail
to make arrangements to take charge o.
Bergiu|s remains. Castle was overcome
with emotion, and was quite bitter il
his denunciation Cf capital punishment.
| These gentlemen state that it was Mrs
Bergln's request that the body Of hel
son be allowed to remain at the jail un
Ill midnight, fearing to have it removed
while the crowd were present, but /
has been decided to remove the remains
as soon during the afternoon as posi-
bic to the residence of Leister HeidIy, a
brother. In-aw of Bergin's, from whlct
place the funeral services take place al
2 O'Clock.
At IL O'clock Bergin was taken ou
and in conf any with the Sheriff and hit
spiritual advisors walked to the soaf
told. The rope was placed about hi
neck ana the drop fell.
The kno', however, became united anC
the poor victim staggered up against
post. He was only shocked and wa.
perfectly conscious. AS he was lilteC
to the scaffold by the Sheriff and assist
ante, he shook his head under the blacl
cap and kept repeating, "Oh, this is
bad murder" and then added, "but
can stand it,"
Tue moose was again adjusted, during
which he spoke to the Sherlf, saying
ihYOu are choking me little now, bu
90 ahead, Johnny"
While the ministers administered
what consolation they could the drol
again fell, and with little better sue
cess. The knot, however, slipping unde
his chin, his neck was not broken, an
the victim was actually stranguiated u
death. 1t was fully eighteen minute,
before he was pronouv cod dead.
Ine reporters and Witnesses were bit.
ter in their deuuuciation Of the bunglins
work. 1t is, however, justice to Shellf
Gay to say that be was in no wise tt
blame. His ASSISTANTS were men of eX.
perience, AID to them he had intrustet
Inc main details.
currence mora Than he.
A man named }. IL. Tuker, a real es
tate agent from Columbus, during The
second hanging tainted, and causeL
lquite cemmolIon.
The body OF Bergln was taken ir
charge shortly after and conveyed t,
| the raRllAnna nf hic hpntha, a., I