The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-03-22
TIE LAST HOPE GONE.
HESTER, FULLY, AND McHUGH
MUST DIE.
NEXT MONDAY THE FIRST HANGING DAY
IN COLUMBIA COUNTY. a

When the cases of the three men above nam.
ed were brought before the Board Of Pardons
the hearing was postponed from February un-
til the March session. AT that time Messrs.
Wolverton, Freeze and Brockway for the pris.
oners, and ex.District Attorney Clark for the
Commonwealth, appeared before the Board at
Harrisburg and argued the cases. Petitions.
containing twenty five hundred names many
OF them Influential citizens Of this and North.
umberland counties, were presented, and the
chief argument in favor Of pardon or comuta.
ton was that these men were convicted on the
evidence of Kelly, the Bum The Board of
Pardons reserved their decision until the 18th
inst when it was supposed the fate Of three hui
man beings would be determined; but when
that day came, the final decision was again
postponed until Tuesday the 10Th. The Death
warrants fixing the date of the execution on the
25th had been previously read to the prisoners.
80 that tnis delay on the part of the Board left
only five days between their decision and the
day appointed for the execution Tuesday came,
and public interest began to show itself The
question heard almost constantly on the streets
was, what is the news from Harrisburg Up
to six O'Clock no one could tell, but at that
time the suspense was ended by the following
telegram to Sheriff Hoffman from Hon. E. J.
McIIenry:
j. w. HoFFMAN:
The Board of Pardons refuses to interfere with
the decision of the Courts.
f j. McHENRy.
Mrs. Hester was in town and in a conversa-
| tion had with her during the afternoon she ex
pressed strong hopes that something would be
done for her husband She expected at least
that the Pardon Board would extend the time
for the execution, as it was they who postponed
| the matter so long.
| Hester believed up TO this time that some
thing would happen to prevent his death. He
was powerful man politically in his county,
and there were streng influences at work
in his favor Tully and McHugh have been
despondent, and placed no hopes in executive
clemency. BLth expressed the belief sometime
ago that there was no help for them, and have
been making preparations TO meet their doom.
When informed Tuesday night of the result of
| lOr COMMUNICATION tnev Salu
it was as they expected, and evinced very little
emotion. Mrs. Hester was moved to tears but
did not display near as much emotion as at the
time of the verdict. A year Of suffering has
prepared her for the worst. Hester said he felt
better now that the suspense was over than he
had for a long time. Tully appears TO be sin
cerey repentant and in conversation with hin
on Tuesday night said some things which will
be made public after the execution. McHugh
keeps up stolid exterior, and says he is ready
for death, but his appearance indicates severe
suffering. He is thin and pale, and looks like
man fast going with consumption. The prizes
visited them all on Wednesday.
The Sheriff is busy making final preparations
for the awful day. Two scaffslds will be used
being the same that we're used in Schuylki
county last year. But few will be admitted tc
the execution.