The New York herald., 1878-12-19
KEHOE HANGED.
Last Scenes in the Life of the King
of the Molly MaguireS.
l AM NOT GUILTY.
History Of zehoa's Prominent Share in The Many
Murders in The Goal Region.
EVIDENCE FROM SPIES.
Little Excitement in Pottsyie on the Oc-
casion Of the Execution.
EVIDENCE FROM SPIES.
GBY TELEGRAPH TO rHE HERALD. |

to executions of Molly Maguires that there IS
citement attendant upon this OCCASION Jack Kehoe
the terror the coal fields the brsggart and desper
ado passed a most miserable night. The guards say
That he only got a few moments sleep. He
tossed about upon his couch: gave frequent
vent to his agony By loud, mourntul
sigas often he would rise from his bed
and with tottering steps like wearied with age
pace his limited quarters to small colored picture
Of the Virgin Mary and her babe He would sit for
several minutes time looking at this print with
the mien of alteration. His small library which
composed of three Prayerbooks. 'Devout Life,
.Daily Steps to Heaven" Life of st. Alphonsus."
Elevation of the Soul" the Sinners Guide" and
the Poor Mans Catechisnl commanded but little
of his attention. When spoken TO by the sentinels
he would make faint attempts to respond in
a tone of speech indicative of calmness
but the result was a mockery. The fact Jack
Kehoe the man who in his heyday of prosperity
could without the slightest tremor Of excitement,
plan for and order the murder of whom he had
never seen nor had grievance against
sible of that he would reach the end of the
rope upon the gallows.
THE LAST BREAKFAST.
A little after six o'clock this morning Fathers Gal
lagher and Brennan entered his cell and mass
said. His wife and sister-in-law and two Sisters of
Charity then admitted. and at half-past
then ordered The holy fathers either side of
h0 while his wife and sister-in-law sat opposite
him. The meal partaken of very heartily by all
save the prisoner They tarried long at the table,
and the conversation turned upon matters of per-
sonal character that Jack wanted to leave for
his six children and other friends. He particularly
impressed upon his wife to rear his children with
care to teach them the blessings of the religion of
their faith and TO always protest the innocence of
their father of the crime OF numbering Langdon. At
alusion to its being the last meal they would
partakc OF together the whole company wept copi-
ousIy, especially Mrs Kehoe. After the morning
past tine priests again had private interview with
the wretched Then the affecting
the parting husband and wife. Their farewell
of the most affecting character. The brave atfec-
tionate, never wcarying despairing woman for
once nearly tainted: her voice forsook her and she
choked with sobs and tears
4 SHORT WALK.
The gallows was erected in the northeast corner Of
the Jail. and is the upon which other
Mollies have hung during the past two years. The
floor OF the scafod is bu in the character of fold
ing doors, with a hinged post sustaining the whole.
As the hour for the execution approached the
end gentlemen in attendance upon linn made earnest
efforts bolster mp his spirits At ten minutes past
ten the Sheriff announced TO Eehoe that the time had
arrived for him to carry ont the mandate
of the law At twenty minutes past ten
the procession appeared the door Of
his cell, on the second tier. in the main
corridor. They traversed along the walk. passing
Bergins cell in their march 10 the lower floor of the
corridor In passing the cell of Bergin. who until
last night il supposed would accompany Kehoe
to the scaffold KeAoe turned his head toward it, His
face wore an expression Of fright. mingled with one
of anxious pity. bat his glance met only the oaken
door, which had been closed. sheriff Matz and War
den King preceded the prisoner. who supported
on either side by Fathers Gallagher and Brennan
After these came the jury hanked by squad Of
policemen
Tho distance from the Jail to the gallows
eral hundred feet, the weather piercingiy cold
and fakes Of fast covering the ground
keloe wore no hat and his bald head appeared prom
inently, with his Napoleone nustache and
heavy chin whskers III wore a heavy cape cloak
the same in which il wa his wont to appear among
his associates when le vas the undisputed chicftan
OF the Mollies. Upon BIZ feet
pair of patent leath r slippers tied with
black silk ribbon in neat bow, placed there BY his
wife that very morning II of her Last tokens
Of cousancy to him IN life. He wore new suit of
black cloth. Upon the lapel of his coat ~
elegant buttonhOlo bouquet Of rare exotcs. Around
his neck q string chain Of beads, attached to
which cross. ana he hold in his left hand
lighted candle and during the walk ~ the
acafiold he repeated prayers after tue priests
His eyes wandered over thc small company in the
yard and then to the scafold. A. be reached It the
fathers released their hold upon his arms, and when
they had spoken ~ encouraging word e. him he
boldly aecvnds1
steps. led by sheriff haiz and Deputy sheriff snyder
The holy fathers followed The candle had remained
lighted until ne reached the trap, when II
tinguished by the storm.
cERENosIs
Kehoe Of bis heavy cloak and handed it to the
Sheriff. The Pricsts stopped up - him. blessed hm
aud whispered into his ear. They then saiutcd
another upon the cheek. after wbich they read very
short invocation T. the Throne OF Grace
The Sheriff then sad. Jack. have you any
timing 70 sayy Kehoe bent his head forward
put his hand to his mouth as II to tale
frnm II 4uF hen lp MOI
directly aAd without tremur while nc looked down
upon the spectators. H. said:-"I am not guilty ~
the murder Of LsIigd0n. never saw the crime COM
lt.ci; that IS enough, AMI with wave oi the hand
he stepped back underneath the beam 70 which the
moose WAS fastcred. The sheriff and warden shcn adj
vaucet and ag taey AID the doomed man separated
each took him 10 tha nsn'ia. hehce returned tho
shake vita ~ ardent pressure ami drew thcin toward
MN anu hlssc4 thGM Pute as leryently as
lie had lust falisftf his spiritual advisers.
II was testimonial shat he held thcu
irresponsible for bong tho mechanical instruments
of his taking On lie then voluntarily put his hands
behind hn y be slacGe,l The sheriff put the irons
upon htl. His arms we're strapped hrmly a. his
eide and t~o straps bound ms legs FIRMLY together.
While this vas going on Jack Turned s eyes heaven
ward. thu siowiaS falling upun his taee ad beard
praying sontly. iis iips aId not move but his
breast bease't rapidly. Wien the noosc put
over his h.ad rctrcptibc shuddcr passed
then pulled down hs ficc. Tor =
ncnt the exccutionCr scen.ed 70 doubt tho stabil-
ity Of the knot that Il properly placed. lie
shirred il NJ very tightly. l. s Gud rstovd that Ke
hoe made the rc ast that every precautionary ncas-
usc should b. taken - prevent accident snd INST
he might die with little agony possible Soi
word spukon the Hcaiulu after the sheriff bag
tho helpless aud hopeless man g1pGby, but F1!hefs
Gallagher sud Brennan al the foot Oi tn stair
way IN prayer. and continued there for some little
while after the trap fen.
fEIoS's DEATH.
Tho sheriff descended the stairs aud. together with
his deputy stepped behind litto shelter which nal
been placed there 10 prptert thcrn irem She ga1e II
the people. At twrny-ty minutes past ton o'clock
thu iaial trap was sprung, and Jack kchoc dropped
with thud three ana uuc-half tcet. Tie rope cut
into his neck and tie blood iricklrd down upon
his shirt collar. His death was most agonizing
10 witness lie drew up nis limbs and the
contraction of his every muscle showed the strength
of the man. The couyulsi0ns extremely vigor
Gus for at least two minutes AZ the expiration of
three minutes the physicians pronounced him dead.
and after hanging eleven minutes liz cut down
and given % his friends, who took his body
spsisl tran rendered ~ h. I. GDwen, President OF
AZ and Readinn Ealroah 10 ttirardNilln