The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-01-21
THE DEATH PENALTY.
EXECUTION OF TWO PENN.
| S1LVANIA MOLLIES.

EXECUTION OF TWO PENN
S1LVANIA MOLLIES,
Sharp and McDOnneII--.AR ReprieyA
Granted, but it Arrives One-Half
Minute too Late.
MAUcH CHUNK. January 15.-The OK
ccution OF Sharp and Mcdonnell. convic
ted of the murder of George X. Smith q
cnal operator at Audenreid, on the nigh,
of November 9th, 1863, was expected to-
be quiet sffair, bur has proved mos, ex
citing. A reprieve from Governor Hart.
rant arrived one half minute after the
drop fell, just thirty seconds too late to
save the lives of the men adjudged guilty
Of the murder.
The doomed men slept peacefully last
night. Mcdonnell, when retiring. asked
to be called at m dnight for prsver. A.
that hour Sharp was fast asleep, Neither
OF the men took breakfast this morning.
Tue priests. Fal hers Brunce and Heinen,
arrived about Z O'Clock and mass was
said in McDonnel's cell, in the presenc,
OF number of relatives. At IIalfpss
nine the doors ofthe prison we're opened
to those having passes, aud the corridors
were soon we'll filed with a crowd whn
examined the ropes, and looked ON at
them being fixed to the scaffold hesms
and other prepa'aions. The sneriff had
given strict orders 10 his assistants 10 al
low no levity. At 1925 the sheriff
knocked on the doors of the cells as a
signal that he was ready. TIE cnndemn-
ed men didn't appear for some time, but
when they came forth they did not show
The least signs OF fear. Sharp and Nc
Donnel. priests, policemen and sheriff,st
once went upon the scaffoId. After a
short service the sheriff said: "James
Mcdonnell, have you anything to say be
fore proceed further ?" Med ,nnell
replied in firm voice: 81 am as limo
cent of the murder of Smith as a child
unborn. Ihave already told YOU of the
only crime was engaged in referring
to the Burns murder). lam sorry I ever
alienated myself from the holy Catholic
church, aud 1 forgive everybody"
In reply to the Sheriff's question Sharp
said he was innocent of the murder o.,
Smith. He said he had intended to have
read statement written fos him by Mr.
Bosle, Of the Coal Gazette, but he would
not and asked the gentleman to be sure TO
publish it. The men then we're shackled
and the priests kissed them goodbye.
The sheriff was about to put on the
white caps. when Sharpe said he wished
to leave his thanks with the sheriff and
the officers Of the Jail. Mcdonnell said
the same, The men then kissed their
crucifxes, and the priests whispered in
their ears as the white caps were drawn
over their heads. Everyone but the
victims left the scaffold. The sheriff
took hold of the ropes attached to the
spring, and awaited the signal from Fa
ther Brunce. In a moment white hand
kerchief fell from the latter's hand, and
the sheriffpulled the drop. The fall was
over three feet, and the men came down
heavily. Mcdonnell seemed to die in
s'anlly, but Sharp struggled violently
The reprieve was received in Mauch
Chunk bv telegraph at 10:37, and the
manager Of the office rushed to the Jail
with it. He rang the bell violently about
half minute before the drop fell, and
started for the doorkeeper. Mrs. Nc
Dnnnell and her children were at the
door weeping loudly. but the door kee
per did not seem tn understand that the
dispatch was a reprieve. 1t was from
Governor Hartrsnft, and granted re
prieve until Monday. There was great
excitement in town when the news Of the
reprieve was made known. The friends
OF the prisoners took charge Of the bodies
which we're put into coffins in the Jail.
The sheriff said he had no idea that a
reprieve would be granted by The Govern
or, nor did any of the authorities antici.
pate such a contingency.
HARRIsBURG, January !l.-Governor
Hsrtranit, who returned from Washing
ton early this morning, finally agreed to
extend the time for the execution Of
Sharpe and Mcdonnell to the Goth inst
but the news OF the execution in answer
to his telegraph reprieve put an end to
further efforts to save the men. NJ
hopes were entertained for fnal pardon,
and the Governor would only grant a
reprieve for Q few days. The Governor
did not reach his Office till quarter be
fore ten this morning. After hearing the
attorneys plea for respite. he decided,
about 10 so, to grant it. The telegram
was then written and filed in the tele
graph Office at 10 :35, and sent At 10:
So.
AN EXCITING SCENE.
MAUcH CaUNK, January 14.-When
the Governors reprieve arrived at the
Jail this morning scene Of intense ex-
citement prevailed, but although the
culprits had only been hanging few
seconds, there was no m Dvement toward
cutting them down. The telegraph mes.
senger reach the Jail door before the drop
fell, but no heed was taken OF his knock
ing and ringing, as the wife of one of the
culprits had previously been extremely
violent outside. When the drop fell, the
knocking and ringing continued, and the
sherif sent out . man to arrest the pat-
ties, whom be imagined to be creating
q disturbance 1t was then found to be
telegraph messenger with Q reprieve.
A brother Of Mcdonnell, who had been
kneeling by the scatf,ld arose, aud ex,
citedly charged the sheriff and bystanders
With the murder of his brother. The ex
citement spread, and the sheriff appealed
to one of the priests who exonersted
him from the blame. Amidst the excite
ment the reproaches of the maddened
brother Of Mcdonnell and vailings OF
the bereaved families outside, the culprits
seemed TO have been forgotten, and thev
remained hanging for thirty minutes after
the drop fell. There is no reasonable
doubt, however, that they we're both dead
after the reprieve came. After the bod
les were cut down. they we're placed ir
cofins and given to their families. whose
cries could be heard for several blocks
adding greatly to the prevailing excite
ment.
MissOurfs Empty Treasury.
ST Louis, January IA The Commit
tee appointed bv Governor Phelps som'
weeks ago to examine the affairs OF th'
~. n