The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-03-29
THE EXECUTION.
The Drop falls at 11:l5 A. M,
LAST WORDS OF THE DYING MEN

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Sunday was Wild day. Towards even |
ing 1t grew cold, and stormy, and howled
all night long. Monday morning came cold
and bus,ery, but notwithstanding, crowds
began to gather at an early hour, and by
nine o'clock the streets presented n lively
scene. \ continu ~ stream poured up the
alley to the Jail The Commissioners office
where Deputy Sheriff krickbsum sat in the
vault guarded by an officer, was besieged by
hundreds anxious to obtain passes to the
Jail yard. A throng visited the COLUMBIAN
Office constantly, in hope that through some
influence they might be admitted.
Some of the prisoners counsel bade them
good bye at about ten O'Clock.
Hester expressed his gratitude for all that
had been done for him. lie had no hard
feelings towards anyone. McHugh said but
little though he was greatly moved. Tully
broke down and wept like child. Three
priests Father Schluter, Father Koch and
Father Mc(iovern were in attendance, aud
said mass with the condemned men in their
cells.
Before ten o'clock the Jail was surrounded
by an impossible throng. The gates were
all guarded and no one but those having
business were admitted inside the yard AT
the rear of the kitchen was Hester's coffin
in large wooden box and this attracted
the attention of large number who did not
expect to see much else.
The scaiIod was erected during the morn
ing in plain sight of the condemned men.
The Sheriff out of the kindness of his heart
had proposed to remove them to the guard
room out Of sight, and hearing of the in
strument of death, but they objected, saying
they preferred to remain in their cells
While the carpenters were engaged in thu
erection of the scaffold the men occasionally
locked out of their windows, and Tully ex
pressed the hope that everything would b.
, made right as he did not wish to be butcher
| ed
One hundred and sixty FIVE passes wer
| issued and before the men came out the yar'
1 was crowded.
I At few minutes before IL o'clock tn
q procession made its appearance, First cam
= Peter McHugh, accompanied by Fathe
a Schluter. He held crucfix in his hand
@ the priest praying as they walked. Heste
}. followed with Father McGovern. He wa
dressed in new suit of fine black broad
cloth and held in his hands small ivor
crucifix. Patrick Tully came last wit
Father Koch. With unfaltering step a
ascended the gallows, the Sheriff and h
o assistants standing around them. The prizes
, recited the 'offertory rapidly, while from Il
ia window of the cells that McHugh had ju
in left party Of girls admitted by one of Il
"a Coal and Iron Police gazed upon the sicke
r. ing scene. We do not know who they we
:. nor do we wish to. They we're probab
e. among those who are a disgrace to the
of sex.
10 The Sheriff asked the prisoners wheth
in they had anything to say, wnen each o
Ia said a few words in so inaudible tone th
in it was almost impossible to hear them.
in 1t was to the effect that they forgave evel
~. body that had ever done them an inJu
and hoped that they were forgiven. Hes
%. said he did not plot the murder of Rea, /
did not deny that he knew it was going
be done. When they had ceased speak,
their hands were tied behind them and tn
~, legs strapped. The white caps were dra'
- - over their heads and they were left alone
ed the gallows.
IN THE LAST SCENE.
'ut Sheriff Hoffman pulled the rope that 81
mis- the bolts, the trap fell, and three bod
te. dangled in the air. Hester's chest heaV
ly, and his limbs quivered for few seoon
las Tully and McHugh never moved.
He After thirty minutes the bodies were TAX
ms down and placed in coffins, Hester's "
Ic- taking him to Locust Gap Junction, and
lay other two being sent to Wilkes.Barre
burial.