The New York herald., 1878-03-25
Heartrending Scene Between
Hester and Family.
WNDICTNENESS OF M'HUGH.
Indications That a Rescue May
Be Attempted.
THE FINAL PREPARATIONS.


It's influence in depopuatng the streets The hurchcs
well attended, It having boon gwen out that the
subject OF general comment would be treated upon
from the pulpit. There dsa ppointment to The
congregations, as reference was generally made TO tho
pcrous position OF Hester, McAugh and TulIy. Prot
sstsnt divinss exhibited commendaolo Christian at
tributes beseeching tho throne Of grace with mpas-
stoned fcrvor behalf Of the condem ned mon; but
ime in its hoinous form. praotised especially by
Ihe Molly Magu,re society, was denounced with
strong vehcmence
IN rULLy's CELL
Tuy received his wife and child this morning at an
early hour He showed less emotion than u pon the
occasion OF their meeting last evening, but ut no
time was no quiet, when ho held his lito child
upon his loft knee and drew his weeping wife to his
breast with the right hand. While thus enwrspped in
bis embrace he talked with his wifc upon tho days of
the past begging her forgiveness tor whatsoever had
boon unpleasant their social relations bcsecch
Ing her to pray for tho OF his soul in the future
In moments OF deepest anguish he would fall on his
knees, bis companions in the attitude either
iide and load in prayer. These devotional exercises
continued during tho cntire morning and Afternoon
M'HrGH's CONDITION.
McHugh's nephow John called upon him at abodt
Mght A. ~, and romainod IN conversation until
lbout eleven O'Clock. There toars, no scenes
bf penitence and contritop. Tho conduct OF McHugh
resemble moro that of q man who IL giving orders
for tho packing up OF lew worldly goods prepara oy
TO cmoark,ng upon journey never 10 return these
Shores He desired that bis nophow should com.
municate with few friends aot Of his DEATH but
to omit details. He expressed In ordinary terms OF
thanEiulness his appreciation OF his ncrhow's VISIT
Hs showed spirt OF resignation; but on the con-
srary cursed Kelly "the Bum," and Others who had
been instrumental in his conviction. When referring
20 tho near approach Of the fatal hour be remarked
that he had suffered the of hopeless dc.
lpair for months and wished to God that II was all
Dvsr
hester WITH HIS FAMILY
Hester was tested to-day IN manner heretofore
untrcd His three daughters and two sons-in-law
rived late last night by road wagon, having trav-
siIsd twenty-ssven miles. His other son-in-law and
laughter returned homo last night Early this morn.
ing they, together with their mother, proceeded to
ME prison and were admitted 10 hts CELL Hester
from his couch the aoor swung open, and discov.
,r.ng hrs daughters, who are comely in feature
t sna wsa s..nsd' me no staggered forward, 'rs%.
senirs oil his cell by his children, who threw
their arms around hts neck and implanted
hos kisses Of love aud affection upon his cheeks.
Their screams Of despair aud heartrending sobs
Nslsd tns prison ana penetrated into the .arlhsst
recesses. The condemned man could not hnd
voice TO respond 10 these tokens OF fidelity, but
the swelling tide of husband ana ather's love burst
It's bonds aud flood OF toars ickling down his vd
vheeks indicated sentiments his heart beating to
sxprcss. There was but little conversation upon the
IuoJect Of the dreaded event. the burden OF the talk
innocent man. The gricf OF the youngest daugh.
Iers sixtceu and e'gh.een years OF age, was
'" w ARRIVAL or THE ATTORNEY.
Al about eleven A. NJ. Hon. $. +. Wolverton, Hes
ters attorney arrived ana was At once ushored into
the presence oi Hester and family. his coming
Tor another outburst Of woe Tor ali pres
knew only TOO we'll the meaning of his presence.
The iast legal business Of the gallowsdestined man
H.
torney the friends retired from the CELL and the papers
we're drawn forth, read and signed Among the papers
WAS . document In the nature oil a WILL
NO HOPES OF PARDON
Mr.. Wolverton told your reporter that he had no
hopes OF reprcve from Harrisburg, nor no &C.
qusnted with any circumstances that justified the
impression that the Governors private secretary
would be present with conditional reprieve. IL Is
true, however that gentleman OF Peoria, ILL, has
written 10 Mr.. W0verton TO the effect that while
Kelly ''the Bum" was LIVING IN schuylkili county he
told him (the gentleman Of Peoris) that HesIer
nowise Connected with the murder OF Rca THESE
letters and affidavit 10 this effect constitute
of tho newly discovered evidence impeaching 'rhe
Bum's testimony and sustaining the plea OF Hoster's
Innocence.
ERECTING THE scAPFoLD.
The carpenters will commence the erection OF the
scanold at daylight tomorrow. Tho location 10
IL sight OF all OF the condemned This uuiortu-
nate circumstance will bear down hard upon them,
but hcHugh says he does not want anybody to be.
lievs that he cares anything about It. He pats in
great deal OF bravado and continues TO nurse his
wrath against his accuscrs Ifany written confession
has been made II is In The hands Of the priest. The
counsel has been making an effort TO procure from
Tuy statement, but as yet has not succeeded. Tho
execution will be under the Immediate mana cement
oi SneriT Hoffman, assisted by Captain Aiderson, Mr.
ROwboItom aud other members OF the Coal ana Iron
police force and Mr.. Gilchrst, oil PnkcrtoDs Detective
Agency.
The relatives and friends took their parting leave
Win the men tonight at ten minutes to nino Tho
youngest daughter oil Hester had to be supported
down the stairs and IN cries that pierced the hoart
those even who have become used such sad spec-
iaclss called upon God help her poor father Such
The unbidden tears to Snerin Honman's eyes. MISS
Hester subsequently averred that she was satisfied
rth her last interview with her iatner, Tor under all
,hs soemnity OF the hour and occasion he mad as
lurcd her that no was innocent That lifted great
Surden on her heart Sho beiieves that she has the
proof positive 0t this TACT.
Mrs. Tuily, whose hairs are silvered with age and
Eric embraced ber husband, and planting kiss upon
her tear stained Taco Tuy blessed her and mis- son
and pade them pray Tor nim. Alone with her nve-
vsar.od boy she was ushsred out into the cold winds
and binding snow storm.
but moved out IN silence. Tho Hestcrs announced
thar intention TO leave tonight for home, twenty
PEARS ov AN ATTEMPTED RESCUE
The invasion Of Bloomsburg tonight by so many
from tho inmediate neighoorhood OF Hcstcr's old
homo, Locust Gap, Ccntralia aud Mount Carmel Is
creating some suspicion They commenced arriving
early hour In the day. aud increasing tram Of
wagons from that direction has been com me nj ted
UPON with little concern. Some OF the strangers
put up At hotels. but the majority on TO tho
ity. Hestsr aud McHugh have held n reception
10 day, and II Is noted circumstance that the
strangers from that section OF the country the
Molies still predominatc are very incendary IN their
remarks alter they have had their interviews with
their Old bosses ana outside OF The hearing OF the
police.
McHugh is very bitter toward the press and ressnts
oil prorositons from the members of that profession
10 LEND them q moment OF his valuable time by a
surly and insulting answer Hester, however, is a
we'll bred man, and when not engsgcd IN entertaining
vsitors Is wiling 20 talk with the reporters lie has
been writing to-day, and 1t Is surmiscd that ho will
reud 10 mt orrow from the scaiod the docume upon
which ho mas been laboriousIy engaged he has
promised to give audience tonight with one gentle
man, the subject oil conversation Will bs his par
ticpaiion IN The Rea murder. He Is good taIker,
and capable of flights OF no mean coquence. His
speech Will bc fui OF the bterest denunciations OF
his prosecutors
MOB. IMPORTS FOR A REPRTEvE.
A gentleman has just informed me that Wolverton
remarked to-day that he was going TO drive TO sun
bury and then proceed TO Harrisburg by special cur
sDdcavor TO be back here again tomorrow morning
with q conditional repriove.
Among the visitors here to-day, and who sought nm
n lom q