Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-10-11
Selected Misfellamy,
EMMETT'S EXECUTION.

a letter writer at Dublin, Ireland,
writes as follows:
"Who hung Emmett? This has been
a mystery for Irish historical students
for three-quarters of century. The
hangman was quite unknown to all the
spectators of the death scene of the young
patriot. His arrival and departure were
so well screened by the myrmidons of
the terrible SIR, the town major of Dub
lin, that all the skill of Emmet's SYM
pathizers failed to penetrate his secret.
Since that time no one has claimed the
infamous distinction and when thirty
years ago DR.. II. b. Madden was engag-
ed on the History of the United Irish
men" all his efforts were unable to lift
the veil. 1t had been dismissed as one
of the inscrutable problems of history,
like the identity of the Man in the Iron
Mask, and it is safe to say that even
curious inquirers had forgott en- that
there was mystery about the hangman
of Emmett. But the mystery that had
so long laid hidden has been suddenly
cleared up.
last Monday, August 5, an extreme
ly old man died at Ballinna, Mayo
county, and two days later was consign.
ed to a pauper's grave. His name was
Barneys Moran. He was native of
Dublin, and SO long as he was about he
made livelihood as a professional tin
Grant ballad singer. He believed him
self to be at the time of his death about
ninety-nine years of age. On his death
bed he made a singular revelation to the
doctor, master and chaplain ofthe work.
house. He told them that he was one
of the band of soldiers, who, on the night
of May IS, 1897, accompanied Majors
SIR and Swan to the house of Mr.. Mich
olas Murphy, the feather merchant. No.
1853 Thomas street, where Lord Edward
Fitzgerald was concealed, and effected
the capture of the rebel chieftain. Bar
ney Moran avowed that in that terrible
business he faithfully discharged his
duty as loyal soldier to the British
Crown.
But his most startling revelation was
to come. This was that he was also the
executioner of Robert Emmett. This
confession has been coroborated since
Moran's death by most respectable gen
tleman Of Balina, who states that for
many years he was aware of the unpleas-
ant secret, but was pledged not to divulge
it till Moran was beyond the reach Of
obloquy sure to fall upon him. Moran's
statement was to the effect that he was
on duty at Portobello barracks on the
evening of September 10Th, 1903, when
an emissary from Major SIR came and
offered him a considerable sum if next
morning he would ofIiciate as hangman
for Emmett. Barney Moran was quite
willing on this occasion also to prove
his loyalty" by work strangely out Of
keeping with a soldiers true VOCATION
But the history of that awful time at
tests that British soldiers in too many
cases lost all sense Of honor, and took
fendish delight in the performance Of
any bloody deed. the victim Of which
would he an Irish rebel or suspected
person.
And so on the morning Of September
Goth, 1903, Barney Moran (baying been
conveyed thither in civilians clothes)
stood on the platform on Thomas street,
directly opposite st. GATHERINGS Church,
with Emmett beside him pinioned and
standing beneath the gallows. The story
runs that Emmett expected rescue and
gazed about him long aud wistfully, as
If trying to read hope in the upturned
faces of the crowd. He protracted his
arrangements as long as possible. Even
with the halter around his neck in an
swer TO the executioner's question
whether he was ready, he several times
exclaimed, mot yet, not yet" At
length the executioner, weary Of wait
ing, turned him OF, with the words mot
yet coming from bis lips.
Moran admits that he was the man
who did the deed, and after the hanging
severed the head from the body, and |
held it up TO the gaze Of the spectators
with the stereotyped formula, "Tbis is
the head Of traitor" After the execu-
ton Moran was conveyed by some Of
Major Sirrs undorlings TO the castle,
and then sent back 10 his military duty
He kept iac secret for well be knew the
tempes. Of hatred and abhorance which