The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-06-29
THE EXECUTIONS.
ELEVEN MEN PERISH ON THE SCAF-
FOLD.--SCENEs AND INCL
DENTS.


six in the Pottsville Jail, and one at Wilkes
Barre.
In Mauch Chunk large numbers of people
poured into town at an early hour to witness
the executions of Edward Kelly Michael
Doyle, Alexander Campbell and John Don
ahoe, alias "Yellow jack" the three first
named for the murder of John p. Jones,
mining boss of the Lehigh and Wilkes
barre Coal Company, at Lansford, Carbon
county, on the Sd of September, 1875, and
Donahoe, for the murder of Morgan Powell,
assistant superintendent of the mines of the
Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, on
the ID of December, 1871.
On the last night of their lives the con-
demned men slept little. None of them re-
tired before midnight and all arose from
their beds after sleeping between three and
four hours. During the long hours of the
night candles were kept burning in each OF
the cells and two members of the Coal and
Iron Police kept watch over each prisoner.
For the purpose of guarding against any at
tempt at rescue that might be made by the
Mollie Maguires, special details of the Coal
and Iron Police as well as the Easton Grays
were stationed in and about the prison. A
small cannon ready loaded, and an abund-
ance of hand grenades were ready for use
within the prison at a moments notice.
As Sheriff Raudenbush had notified those
whose peculiar duties called them to witness
the executions, that they would be admitted
at nine o'clock in the morning, upwards of
one hundred and fifty men, including jour
nalsts. jurors, deputy sheriffs and others,as-
sembled at that hour in front of the stair
way leading to the prison gates.
1t was not however, until after ten o'clock
that the party were admitted. Filing one by
one into the narrow corridor that separates
the twenty -four prison cells, some advanced
within few feet of the scaffold while others
mounted the iron promenade that ran along
/ either side of the instrument of death.
After brief delay, attended by Fathers
: NJ. Il. Bunce, of Mauch Chunk E. V. Nc
Elhone, of Lowrytown w. Hynan, of East
f Mauch Chunk, and James Wynne, of Sum-
f NIT Hill, the prisoners stepped out of their
respective cells, and with firm steps and APP
: parently cool bearing, ascended the tempor-
: ary stairway that led to the scafold.
d The first on the trap was Alexander Camp
bell Of magnificent physique and frame
upon which long confinement and menial
anxiety had been unable to mark their in
roads distinctly, he looked anything but a
murderer After bowling to the sheriff and
h moving to corner of the scaffold as that
= official pointed out to him the place on the
$ trap where he should stand, he cast his eyes
n upwards at the ropes which were held on
e either side by four deputy sherifs. After he
It had engaged in prayer with the priest fol
l. some moments, Doyle, Kelly and Donahoe
1t also mounted the scafold, each attended by
/ a priest, dressed in soutane, surplice and
u stole, and took the places assigned them by
'i the sheriff.
's At this point Sheriff Raudenbush ad
Z dressed the condemned men in turn, ant
/ asked them if they had anything to say
., Campbell Immediately responded in clear
u distinct tones 81 don't believe that
le have an enemy in the world. | hope tina
Is God will forgive me. l forgive everybody
y | have nothing more to say
u The Sheriff next turned to Doyle, who ha
u been greatly enteebled by continued illness
Oh Quietly, and scarcely above whisper, HI
Fe replied: "If / had listened to the teaching
- of the Catholic Church and avoided thos
u whose ways it counselled me to shun woult
not be here to-day. l forgive everybody a
hope that Christ will forgive me-" AS h
concluded he kissed a small crucifx whicl
he held in his hands until they were pinione'
behind his back
ut To the Sherif's question, Donahoe
Strengthening up his sinewy form to its full
est height, answered, "What have to say
or If anything, it's not much, "and bending hi
IS. head he at once began praying with grea
IN fervor.
III Kelly, who seemed more like boy tina
a man, falteringly answered the Sheriff, 81
I had taken the advice of the Bishop an
IL priests would not be on the scaffold to-da,
~ May the Lord forgive me for my past tram
W gressions, as forgive every one"
,a A few moments afterward, the four unfo
~ tunate men, the priests, and some of the b,
ISLANDERS knelt in prayer.
First was recited the Litany for the Dyin
,vn then the Confteor, and the absolution 70
m. lowed, after which all the Priests, save on
tic descended from the scaffold. After fe
NV moments spent in silent prayer, Campbe
sprang lightly to his feet, and by gestu
sgnified to the Sheriff that he was read
ala His doomed companions at once arose, L
in ropes we're adjusted around their necks, al
led the drop shortly afterwards fell Donah
md was the only one who suffered much. As
body swung around Father Hyman stepp
alongside Of it and anointed the wrists.
ON Shortly after the execution the bodies w
,ok, put into coffins and handed over to their
Try. latives. Mrs. Donahue ana brother
by Yellow Jacks, who had come from Cumb
land county Maryland, to see the last ri
paid to the erring companion of his chi
cas- hold, sat during the entire morning opp
an ite the prison, waiting for the renal
-o'- Doyle's family also stayed in house
on jacent to the prison for the same purpc
otal Kelly's and Doyle's remains went to MOI
ilng Laffee, Donahoe's to Tuscarora, and Can
bells to Summit Hill.
In Pottsville very large number of p
day PIE came '"non sms sne sun oununs ooun.ly Wy
,rss there was some delay in granting admiss
loss W 'no'' '"'''''''
trict From 0 to 10 o'clock A. NJ an almost
A interrupted line of people holding admis'
ther cards, passed through the ifont prison ga
1t was made up in varying proportion
local and visiting officials, many Schuyl
Rev county physicians, about 30 journalists
60. | nresentipp every newspaper in the col