The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-06-22
THE FATAL DROP,
Executions Observation-Disclosures of Ed
ward u CastleY mt Frederick. MD.

FREDERICK, Md, June 2t.-Edward Fl.
Castley, the Golored murderer, is to be hanged
at II a. m today for the killing of his cousin,
april 4, 1877. He sat up all last night with
rather Cache, his spiritual adviser. The
priest arrived at the jail shortly after 0
O'Clock p, No., and remained reading with the
prisoner Till morning. At 10 O'Clock Sheriff
Richardson sent him his breakfast consist
ing OF broiled ham, potatoes, beefsteak, bread
ana butter and coffee He ate heartily, and
appeared cheerful for one in his terrible posi-
tion.
Sheriff Richardson read the following letter
from Castley's mother this morning:
FLORENCE, Mass, June 49,
Mr.. William Richardson:
SIr-Mr Nelson wrote to me saying that
he would do with the body as / wished
Please deliver 1t to Daniel Castley at Liberty.
1t is not because / have forgotten that did
not write. | thought he would be enough
disturbed or [ would have written. have
The sheriff SAID he would u not a. Froht DohsSf Mrs
Dorsey request, as arrangements had been
made to bury the body in the Catholic grave
ever, that Daniel Castley, the murderer's
uncle, had made arrangements with the priest
for the removal Of the body to Liberty.
Your correspondent approached the prison
ers cell at 3 :45 this morning. Castley was lying
up in his bed reading prayer book, which he
had up against his face, hiding his features
completely. He made no answer when called
Inc execution will take place at Ii o'clock
precisely, and the prisoner will be led from his
&c cell TO the yard with his cap tied over his face
Lhls IS novel arrangement, but he says that
ne wants no one to see his features as he as
cends the scaffold, and the sheriff has agreed
to fasten on his cap in the cell.
Shortly before 10 o'clock rain began to fall
In torrents, but the crowd still trudged along
to the jail. By half past 10 fully four hun
dred people had assembled in the Jail yard,
and looking down from the window opposite
the prisoners cell forest of raised umbrellas
was presented to view. Sheriff Richardson
and deputies left the lower floor and proceed
ed up stairs TO pinion the prisoner. The un-
fortunate man stood it calmly without saying
a. word until the procession was almost COM
plete.
Sheriff Richardson then asked him If he
wanted the cap over his head before he left
the, cell. He replied, eyes, sir; put on the cap
and also the moose around my neck, and do
the job on the scaffold as quickly as you can"
Before the cap and moose were adjusted
ton, and then the mournful procession start
ed from the cell. The prisoner being per-
fectly blinded by the cap, the deputies had to
lead him, In fact almost carry him down
stairs and through the muddy and crowded
yard to the gallows.-
He was led up twelve steps to the scaffold,
the priest preceding him and, without the
least delay, at ten minutes to II o'clock the
sheriff sprang the lever and the heavy body
of the prisoner dropped distance Of over
four feet, his legs striking hard against the
platform which fell before him. His neck must
have been dislocated at once, for he never
moved. For fully four minutes after he fell
as he dangled to and fro, his feet almost
touched his coffin placed beneath the drop
After four minutes time he drew his legs up
slightly, and then remained immovable until
life was extinct.
After the body had hung the customary
fiFnN 6F-
prits pulse and pronounced life extinct. The |
body was lowered, placed In the coffin and |
taken in q wagon by Daniel Castley to Lib |
7rty. Criminals seldom die as easy death |
rs that Of Castley.
Quiet and orderly Neck-Tie Party.
CHICAGO, June 2t.-George Sherry and Je-
Hugh McConvii1e on the m nineteenth Of Jan Jan
1ary last, were executed at 10 20 o'clock to-
lay In the county Jail. Both the men were
luiet and composed while on the scaffold and |
lad nothing to say, although it was expected
nat Sherry would make @ confession. The
execution took place in the northern corridor,
q the presence Of about 200 spectators.
Everything passed off in quiet and orderly
manner.
An Ohio Execution.
CHILLICoTHE, o., June 21-Bawsher was
xecuted at IL 05 a. m. He made no resist
nee and no confession; had nothing to say
N the scaffOld, but maintained his usual sui |
ennesS. His neck was broken and he died
Without a struggle An immense crowd is In
own, but is very orderly.
ChOked OFT.
p III June 01-Tha e7acutioD NJ
jharles alias John Burns, for the murder of
llijah Bardwell, on November q last, took
lace to-day. He had been buoyed up with |
he hope of a reprieve up to the nineteenth,
7hen the Governor declined to interfere. He
howed an utter disregard to his fate. He
1as hung at IL 30.