The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-15
The DESPATCH DELAYED AT The JAIL.
Fears Of a Melee in the Pres
ence Of the Dead.
THOMAS DOWD HANGED.
Ready to Die, Though Protesting His Innocence
Of the Crime Of Murder.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

double execution than at any previous hanging in
Mauch Chunk probably because the people have got
used to it. there having been seven men hanged in
the Jail here in the last year and half. But before
twelve O'Clock this unconcern disturbed and the
town was in uproar. The excitement was caused
by the fact that reprieve by telegraph from
Governor Hartranft from quarter to a half minute
before the fatal drop fell.
Charles Sharpe and James Mcdonnell proved to be
men of iron nerve, and whether the first, who .
nervous squeaky-voiced fellow, the last, full
whiskered. gray. patriarchal looking man, with
face not unlike the poet Longfellow. the most
plucky, is question among the lockers Both
men sat up until twelve O'Clock Saturday night,
talking with the editor Of local paper giving scraps
of their lives, their opinions of the courts and law
yers frequent and emphatic denials of their guilt
and representations of what they would do to-day.
They spent the last days quietly reading books fur
nished by the priests and in the company Of those
good men,
THE LAWYERS LAST APPEAL. 4r
last effort was made to save the condemned yes
terday morning. when Mr.. p. J. Meehan and Mr.. F.
P. Longstreet. their counsel lett for Harrisburg to
make final attempt with the Governor. Tho apph-
cation was based on legal point. The constitu-
ton Of Pennsylvania gives to every convicted Of
capital offence the right Of writ of error to the
Supreme Court. That court has Interpreted
the language Of the constitution. In 1877 the Legs
lature passed law regulating the mode Of taking out
wrts Of and this naturally restricted the rights
Of criminals under the constitution. The question
was lately raised in the Sayres in Philadelphia.
and it was expected it would be decided last Fri
day. But on Saturday the Sheriff Of Philadelphia
was informally notified by the Supreme Court
authorities that no decision would be rem
dered until Monday or Tuesday Of next
Ac< IND nd that
the point and as Sharpe aud Mcdonnell were in
sctly the same position ssyres, counsel for the
prisoners determined to ask the Governor for
prcve until that decided. Accordingly, the
lawyers went to Harrisburg. but Governor Hart
ranft was not there, and 1t not until
one O'Clock this morning that inter-
view had with him. Governor Hart
ranft said he would give the matter his attention as
soon as he got to his Office l am particular to
plain this because of the failure of his repreve to get
to Mauch Chunk on time. The lawyers did their
duty in the matter. and it was probably necessary
for tho Governor to consult his legal adviser. The
prisoners knew nothing Of this attempt to them,
which was nearly successful.
SEPARATING FROM WIFE AND CHILDREN.
The terrible story of the last separation Of wife and
children must be briefly told. Yesterday afternoon
Sharpos wife, child and other relatives met
him for the last time in the Sherifs Office. The in
terview was most affecting At its close Sharpe got
down on his knees and swore before God he
innocent. His wife chung to him until she forced
away by the officials. McDonnelps friends did not
come here until this morning
LAST NIGHT.
The prisoners passed comfortable night. Nc
Donnell left word with the turnkey to be called at
twelve O'Clock for prayers. At that time Sharpe was
sleeping soundly. and few minutes after McDon-
Rev. Fathers Bunce. of Msuch Chunk. and Henau,
of East Mauch CHUNK. arrived at the Jail at
O'Clock. and both men announced
that they felt well and in good spirits yet both de-
clined to eat any breakfast An altar erected in
McDonnell's cell and mass said in the presence
Of tho two prisoners Sharpe's friends and three of
McDonnell's brothers, who had arrived on an carly
train After mass the priests left the prison for
short time. and the men remained at their devotions
AFFECTING SCENE
Meantime busy preparations were going on The
ropes. which came in neat little packages, with
note that IL the county persisted in Offering to pay
for hem the Arm which manufactures them in Phil
ndelphia would stop making them, were unwrapped,
and ugly looking hangmans nooses tied. Then
they attached to the scaold BEAM the privileged
few who in the Jail watching every movement of
tho Sheriff The white caps, which laid table,
were carefully examined, the iron shacklcs,
in which men arc always hung In AIauch Chunk con-
trary to custom elsewhere. Among the loiterers in
tho corridors Mrs Sharpe wife of the condemned
man. with two female friends. all in Mysteries the
three brothers Of ODonncll and other relatives
and remote. They walked In and out wringing
their hands at the scaod and bursting out pitfu
moans ut anything which indicated nearer approach
Of the dread hour.
DELAYED DESPATCH.
AT past nine the priests returned and at once
entered the coils of Sharpe and Mcdonnell, first
agreeing with the Sheriff that twenty minutes past
ten o'clock should be tho hour when they would
cease their mnistrations and the Sheriff begin the
sterner duties of the day A despatch from Mr.
Ryon. of pottsville saying McDonnols wife and two
children would arrive at twenty-five minutes past
ten. and asking postponcment until after that hour
was also discussed. 1t was agreed that the meeting
might unnerve Mcdonnell and could do his
unfortunate family no good This mcrciful de.
cision brought about series of misfortunes. Mrs
Mcdonnell came aud was at the door of the
graphic rcpricvc, and the agonzing lamentations of
herself and children prevented the doorkeeper from
heard. This delayed the despatch At least a few
precious moments.
At twenty minutes to ten the persons with passes
who had been standing in the snow outside the jail
for nm hour 80, and who were the only people in
town Who. up to this time. took any in
crowded into the corridor. but thorc an
absence of levity. too often to be noticed
Raudenbush and not to the crowd itself. Hc gave
strict orders TO eject any person whose conduct
n"s IN accord with the seriousness OF the occasion
half an hour.
THE HOUR OF doom.
The Sheriff raisd his hand and said he had
solemn duty TO perform and he hoped every one
present would give him his aid by being quiet He
approached Sharpes coll and raped srnartly three
times and then on the next door, which Me-
ponnelrs cell The hour Of doom. twenty min
utcs past ten. O'Clock, had arrived! But tho
priests or the mon not ready, for
It was at least ten minutes before Father Buncc aud
Sharpe appeared at the cell door. They quickly
followed by Father Hcinan and Mcdonnell, and with
Sheriff Raudenbush and Policeman Brink bringing
UP the rear they marched tho fcw steps up the CORR
dor to the scanold. The men looked uninovcd,
ne y,rav hut thcre
was not that scared. dazed look which IL often on
criminals face ~ he faces hts last audience. They
went up the high steps of the scafold without hop
and walked untold. to their places under tho dan.
CLING ropes.
MDoNNErLs DENIAL.
Then came short service. Tho men rcsponicd i'm
voices hrm and strong. Tho party dropped on their
knees at sign from Father Bunce. and the priests
manly tones. The party rose. aud the priests and the
Sheriff conferred moment. The Sheriff said -
james Mcdonnell havo you anything to say be-