Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1877-06-27
27,ls

ibSt iHOHlent, TeCelVcU executive Clcm
ency in the shape Of reprieve de
ferring his immediate execution
The rnmor, however, lacks confirma
tion. Duffy is the man in revenge fol
whose beating by a policeman Yos
was murdered. The only witnes.
against him on the trial was Jim X er.
rigan. On suspicion attaching to thu
evidence Of an accomplice, when no
corroborated, is the plea upon which
his friends allege the interposition o1
the governor will be made. His case
before the pardoning board received
more consideration than the others
the vote upon it being a tie. The
presence of the governors private
secretary, Chester T. Farr, may have
given rise to the report. The broth.
er of Duffy knows nothing of the
hoped for clemency.
Outside the prison the crowds of
curious spectators increased from the
small group of the early morning to
thousands and occupy the entire
street. No indications of turbulence
arc apparent.
PoTTsvILLE, June 81, Noon.-The
execution of Doyle and Mcclellan
took place at ii 10
The doomed men walked quickly
from the prison to the scaffold with
out trepidation. They were com.
posed and McGeehan appeared to re-
alize the awful situation, looking re-
peatedly and appealingly to heaven.
Both participated in religious exer-
cises. Doyle said to his priest, W
aint q bit sorry" McGechan spoke
IS follows:
"Gentlemen I have nothing to say
to you about my guilt or innocence,
nor about them that left me in here,
Or them that done anything else to
me. only ask forgivness of the
whole world if have done a wrong
% them and that almighty God may
forgive all christians and all them
hat he ever created in this world, for
he sake of fforgiving my SINS" Here
he speech was ended, its concluding
portion having been delivered in q
rigorous tone. Doyle now address
ID the crowd without symptom of
'uiULiOH. lie ShlQ
81 have nothing to say, gentleman,
,nly pretty much in the same way
Nothing as regards my guilt or inno-
'ence. forgive those that put me
,ere. I forgive them from my heart
md hope they will forgive me. II
iorgive all this world"
Mcclellan, with q supplicating
ook heavenward, here supplemented
lis remarks by fervently exclaiming,
i have done all in my power to save
ny soul. Anything at all l could do
have done, and trust in God. I'll
here is any sin on my soul have
lot cleared off God will make me
uffer for it. Here now l offer up
his death I have to die to God for
he sake of him to forgive my sins.
have nothing more to say"
With the conclusion of the speeches
N awkward pause ensued, the off,
ials not knowing whether to pro-
eed Immediately. The last goodbycs
however, were soon said and the |
rms and legs of the men pinioned,
10Th calmly surveying the prepara-
ions and McGeehan occasionally
nurmuring prayer and gazing in
emily heavenward. As the moose was
'eing adjusted around his neck he
reclaimed "Christ have mercy on me,
4ord have mercy on me- The noos-
$ were then frightened, McGeehan's
ace was Withdrawn, his eyes follow
ng in supplication. Doyle and Nc
iechan were now left alone on the
caffold and at IL minutes after
! O'Clock the drop fell. Doyle
led almost instantly, while McGee-
an gave symptoms Of life for some
ixteen minutes. The bodies were
AIKEN down and removed to their
eceptacle in the rear of the scafiold.