The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-03-25
THE CONDEMNED MOLLIFS.
Hester, Tnlly and McHugh Hanged This
Morning.
Full Details of the Preparations. the
Crime, and the Execution.
National Associated Press to the Star.
JUST BEFORE THE EXECUTION,

Hester's family, consisting OF his wife, four
daughters and son-in-law, were with him
Saturday and Sunday, and are in great dis
tress. Tullys wife was with him, also
stepson, a child four years old, who slept
Saturday night with the father. McRugh
is single, and has no relatives, except
cousin, who is here with him. The prison.
ers are reconciled to their fate The Jail
yard is small, only thirty-six feet square,
and but few persons will be admitted to the
execution. Hester's coffin arrived Satur
day night. The body will be taken to Locust
Gap, his former home Tully and McHugh
will be buried at Wilkesbarre. Everything
is quiet.
A report is circulated that the Governors
Private Secretary will be here with condi-
tional pardon for Hester, in case McHugh
or Tully makes statement On the gallows.
The prisoners counsel says no reprieve ar
rived yesterday and he expects none. He
was with Hester on Sunday arranging pri-
vate business. The reports about confes-
sions having been made are mythical.
Fathers Koch, McGovern and Schutter
will be with the prisoners all this morning,
and remain with them until after the exc
cution. The gallows are the same as used
at Mauch Chunk, and are being put in po-
sition this morning.
Last night passed without any special ex-
citement, the wind bowling terribly. In
the cells of the culprits, especially Hester's,
mournful scenes were enacted. For about
two hours Hester consulted with his un-
dertaker, Thomas Walter, of Pottsville,
his wife and q few others who were ad
mitted
All three of the prisoners slept soundly;
Hester better than for weeks.
At $50 o'clock Father Koch, assisted by
Fathers McGovern and Schlutter celebrated
Mass in McHughs cell. There were present,
besides the priests, HesteTs family, Tully's
wife and boy, and Officers Gilchrist and
Anderson.
At the conclusion of the holy ceremony
an affecting parting took place between the
doomed men and their relatives. Hester
threw his arms about Waldron Weston's
shoulders and blessed the latters boy, who
is at college The scene between himself
and his family was grief-giving beyond de-
scription. There was no attempt at extrav-
agant gush but it was the more affecting
therefore.
While this was going on inside the jail a
wild rumOr took possession of the fast-gath-
ering throng outside, that Delaney, the
Governors messenger, had arrived with a
conditional reprieve. 1t was positively as
serted that he was here, and was Just as
pOSlllNGly uculcN. IIoll all lllC ny -IUduS
and thoroughfares the people now came
focling in.
| When, at $50 o'clock, the doors were
opened to admit people who were freezing
on the cherries stones outside, the gather
ing of the curiosity-seekers had increased to
one thousand
Every tree in the vicinity was occupied
by people, and even the solemn tombs in
the little church-yard on the hill back of
the prison were occupied by sight-seers.
| At 10:45 o'clock the spectators were ad-
mitted to the Jail, and the scaffold, with its
thin dangling ropes, and other arrange
rHents for DEATH came in for inspection.
The little yard was uncomfortably
| full, and when in few minutes the
Sheriff appeared leading the procession to
and Tully in the order named, each accom-
panied by priest and holding a crucitix
there was great excitement, and the ovid
followed close to the procession.
Up the scatfOld stepped the three men,
with the priests and executioners, and the
last prayers were hurriedly uttered and the
crucitxes rapturously kissed. These words
were said by Hester: II did not plot
the murder of Rea." When he commenced
to speak the crowd pressed the supports and
were pushed back by the police. The Others
muttered something inaudible, but Tully
was heard to say he was innocent to tho
priest. They asked forgiveness from all
whom they had injured.
In full view of the men waiting death
the coffins and boxes were carried into
the yard and deposited on the ground
with bang. But even this did
evident that they intended to die game
The Sheriff, priests and officers descended
the scaffold. Everything was now ready
and Hester, McHugh and Tully stood ready
waiting for the final act.
| THE END.
| A tall unknown man was handed rope
almost unnoticed. He was the Jack
Ketch" He gently gave it jerk, and the
slipped to the back of the neck, but Hes
ter's knot clung behind his ear, drawing the
rope tighter about his neck.
His contortions were frightful, reminding
one of the death of Hugh Mcclellan. Every
muscle in his large frame worked spasmod
ically, and the spectators turned away theil
faces in horror.
The doctors for the next quarter of ar
hour paced the yard waiting till life would
be extinct. As the drop fell shrek wa;
heard coming from the cell where Hester
and McHugh had just been led from
where half dozen women had been per
mtted to congregate to satisfy their morbid
curiosity, the scaffold being in full
view from the window of the cell
The bodies were allowed to hang about
eighteen minutes and were then taken dowI
and placed in the coffins.
DISPOSAL OF THE BODIES.
| Hester's body was taken to special trail
at Rupert in which his family, with the
corpse, were conveyed to Locust Gap. Nc
Hugh's and Tullys remains were taken il
charge by Mr. Conyers, of Wilkesbarre, and
removed quietly from the town.
| THE CRIME.
Years ago. when the anthracite coal re
gion was exclusively operated by individual
operators, it was customary to carry large
amounts of money, which was to pay the
monthly wages of the miners, from the banks
to the colliery offices, where the paymen'
we're made. The employees were acquainttt
with the fact Alexander Rea, Superir
!endent of the .colliery near Mt, Caluc!
started out on the morning of October 18th
1858, to drive to the colliery, and it W.
| presumed hn had a Large amount nf mop. =