The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-06-29

but one only were these visible, the Others
being coiled up and concealed in gum
covering thrown over the cross.beams above.
At1050 o'clock the creaking of the iron
gate at the opposite end of the yard caused |
all eyes to he turned thither. Two minutes I
later q mournfnl procession appeared and |
wended its way along the pavement towards |
the scaflold. Two of the condemned were
brought, McGeehau and Boyle, accompa.
MED by Sheriff Werner and Deputy Sheriff
John Snyder, and attended each by cler-
gyman. McGeehan with Father Martin
Walsh, of Hecksherville, Schuylkill county,
and Boyle, with Father Beresford, of Port
Carbon, next. The remainder of the cor
tege consisted of underkeeper of the prison,
Moses Innis, and Drs. Sallady and Sayer, of
fremont, prison physicians.
The doomed men, with their attendants,
walked quickly, but neither gave the least
indication of trepidation or apprehension.
The entire cortege mounted the steps of the
scafiold nearest in their course, and proceed
ed to the iarthest end of the three, upon
which only were visible the suspended noos-
es. The Sheriff, physicians and underkeep-
er remained on the platform adjoining with
the Deputy Sheriff at the top of the steps
on the other side, the doomed murderers in
the centre, with the officiating priests, made
up the mournful picture.
Upon taking their places the Catholic SER
vice which had begun when the men left
their cells, was resumed by the clergymen,
Boyle and McGeehan giving the responses
in firm and audible tones. The demeanor
of Boyle at this time and until the drop fell,
was one of entire self possession the degree
of nerve displayed by both men, particular
ly Boyle was extraordinary, and ct times,
his manner seemed to indicate feeling of
utter indifference to the surroundings. His
composure was evidently real and not assum-
ed, and, as the religious services proceeded
he occasionally inhaled the perfume of a
beautiful red rose, which he held in his hand
and applied to his nostrils.
McGeehan's bearing was that of sincere
contrite penitent. He appeared to realizs
his awful situation, and repeatedly looked
appealingly to Heaven, as if relying upor
the Divine Power. Both men kissed the
priests and shook hands with the Sheriff
Boyle responded to remark of his attend
ing priest with 81 amt bit sorry"
McGeehan in response to an intimatioi
that be was at liberty to say anything he de
sired, at once addressed the audience assem-
bled. His remarks were literally as fol
lows:
"Gentlemen-I have nothing at all to sa
to ye about my guilt or innocence, nor abou
them that left me in here, or them that don
anything else to me. l only ask forgiveness
, of the whole world, if l have done wron
to them, and that Almighty God may for
, give all Christians and all them that he eve
I created in this world, for the sake of forgiy
I ing my sins.'
g Here the speech was ended, its concludip
8 portion having been delivered in somewhs
4 tremulous, though firm and vigorou
3 tones.
r Boyle now addressed the crowd withor
e symptoms of emotion: He said al hay
nothing to say, gentlemen, only pretty muc
/ in the same way nothing as regards guilt {
y innocence. forgive those that put me her
/ forgive them from my heart, and l hoE
they will forgive me. 1 forgive all tn
Il world"
:. Mcclellan, with a supplicating look he
:, venward, here supplemented his remarks
l fervently exclaiming 81 have done all that
It in my power to save my soul anything
:. all could do have done, and l trust
God, If there is any sin in my soul l ba
s not cleared off. Ged will make me suffer
g have to die to God, for the sake of Him
,s forgive me my sins. l have nothing mo
70 to say"
d With the conclusion of the speeches
.s awkward pause ensued the officials not kno,
e ing whether to proceed Immediately. II
h last good. byes, however, were soon said, al
d the process of pinioning the arms and le
of the men commenced. Stout leather stra
l. Both in the meantime, calmly surveying t
preparations and McGeehan occasional
is murmuring a prayer and gazing intently
at to the blue ethereal above him, evident
with his mind no longer on earthly thin
IN As the moose was being adjusted around
If neck, he exclaimed, "Christ have mercy
I'd me-Lord, have mercy on me! p
Y. Both nooses were then frightened; the CT
s. cifx, which had been held by the the pri
close to McGeehan's face was withdrawn, !,
r.. eyes, meanwhile, following it in supplicati
". and all on the scafIold retired At elev
the fatal drop fell, and in short time Bo,
and McGeehan passed into eternity.
i. At twenty-eight minutes after eley
"a o'clock the bodies were taken down by
ew undertakers, Gresang and Karracher, a
ell removal to the shedding in the rear, as tn
ire temporary receptacle. The execution in
lv. its details was apparently conducted $
he tematically without loud word being sp
nd en- by the crowd in the yard.
zoe At six minutes after twelve o'clock
his sheriff, his deputy, the prison keeper
,ed prison physicians, with two more of
condemned, appeared at the iron gate,
ere and soon reappeared at the gallows,
re-. men brought out to die were James Roal
of and James Carroll. The first was atten
,er. by Rev. NJ, j, Gately, of Pottsville, W
ties Father Beresford appeared as the spiri
i'd comforter of Carroll.
,os- Each of the men carried, in a posi-
ins. Immediately before his breast, large b
ad- cross, with white worked body of the s
ose. iour. Both seemed perfectly composed
unit prepared to die, No trembling was Wis
mp and like their immediate predecessors on
gallows, the appearance of neither
,eo- much indication of any severe confnem
and As the mortuary service was said by