Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-06-21
CURIOUS THOUSANDS WITNESS
THE CHASTITY SCENES.
Eleven Doomed DeSperadOes
Swing OFF Into Eternity.
No ResCuss Attempted, But Big
Funerals Ahead

P0TTsvILLE, Pa, June 2l.-The wealth
er this morning at day break was dull and
heavy, and before s am. q drizzling rain
began to fall, without however diminish
ing the crowd already in waiting outside
the Jail. The general suspension of bus
mess in the surrounding county in defer
euee to the extraordinary event of to
day, and the general quiet attending the
Preparations for the execution, served tc
make more impressive the tragic occur
rences which mark this most e%ventiuI
day in the criminal calendar of the
State. The previous night was passed
without unusual incident, but soon after
dawn the town became Q rendezvous for
groups OF pedestrians from all parts Of
the neighboring country. These were
nearly all composed of the poorer class
es, some having Travelled many miles
from their homes to be present. The
Jail IS located on the summit Of one Of
the many hills surrounding the place,
and was the center of attraction, and the
c~oncourso on the way hourly increased
in numbers.
In consequence Of delay persons en-.
titled to admission to the all at 8 we're
compelled to remain in waiting outside
for more than half an hour. Meanwhile
the immediate relatives of the con
demned took their last farewell. Tie
scene was trying. One brother and two
sisters Of R)aresy were admitted at G
and 5000 after the aged and impover.
ished father Of Munly, who had walked
to the prison all the way from Gilbert, a
distance OF thirteen miles. Several rel
atives Of the others not having applied
at the appointed time we're not admitted.
To each OF the doomed men has been
assigned a clergyman, who will attend
his charge ia his dying moments. The
reverend gentlemen were in attendance
at the cells Of the DOOMED this morning
and afterward assisted in the celebration
of mass in a private apartment. The
clergymen are Rsvs. Daniel McDermott,
E. n. j. GAtely, II. J. Depman, Jane.
AcGovern, Martin Walsh and Philir
Beresford. But three Of the doomed
men were presented at one time, the re
ligious services being repeated at 8 IN.
ALI access to the men by othera than
the sheriff and his assistants, and their
spiritual advisers, has been scrupulously
avoided. They are reported to have
passed the night we'll and at the usuaI
time breakfast was served for each one.
though this was barely touched by any
Of them. Carroll, Munly and Roarety
express their eagerness to die, aud are
apparently calm and resigned. The last
named this morning received a letter
from his fataec urging him to turn bis
thoughts ~heavenward, and, while admon
ishing him Of his parents belief in his
innocence, advises him to confess the
truth before God and the world.
Tae present arrangement by Sheriff
Werner contemplates the execution o.
two at one time, ald the execution Of tbs
other four within halt an hodr later
The Two having the precedence vii
probably be Muniy and McGeehan.
Ten o'clock a. m.-An almost u%uipter
rlpted line Of people holding admission
cards has been passing through the iron.
prison gates within the last hour. This
is made up in varying proportions o
local and visiting officials, many Schuyl
kill country physicians, about fifty jour
nalists, representing every newspaper ia
the county aud leading journals of large
cities, sherifi, %depuueI, members oil
Juries and a detachmen. Of coal and iron
police force, make a total Of about one
hundred and fifty persons already ad
mitted. The multitude made their way t
the jail yard aud spent the intel val prioI
to han liug 10 discussing in groups tn
all'abJorbing topic.
The site Of the gallows is in the for
Their extremity Of the yard from the usu
al place OF entrance, and is plainly visi
BILE from the c9uvicts cell windows front
inG it or three sides. The cells, how
ever, appear 10 be unoccupied. The higl
stone outer wall OF the yard is within
few feet Of the rear Of the scafold-i
frame structure for temporary depot
Of the bodies Of the victims intervening
The scafolds themselves, which immedI
ately adjoin each other, are rudely Blu
substantially constructed. Each is SUP
piled with two hanging ropes, though bd
one only is visible, the others being col.
ed uS and concgaled in the gum cover
ing throwp e across the beams.
1t is currently reported that Duffy, on
Of the Yost murderers, has at the las
moment received executive clemency /
the shape of a reprieve deferring his ca
ecution. The rumor, however, lack
confirmation. Duffy is the man in n
yenge for whose beating by Polieema.
, Yost, the latter was murdered. The onl
witness against him ON the trial was Jill
K~erreean, and suspicion attsehingto tb
evidence OF an Accompanies, when ne
5 corroborated, is the plea upoR which h
I friends allege that the intercession OF "
! governor will be made. His case befoi
the nardbning hoard received more col