The New York herald., 1879-10-10
CEREMONIES In SUNBURY JAIL.
Exultant Crowds Gloating Over the
End of Hesser's Murderer.
PETERS PECULIAR STATEMENT.
How He Happened to See the
Blow Struck"
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD


SUNBURY. Pa. oct. .. 1879.
Petor McManus. the Molly Mcguire, was hanged
here this morning for tho murder of Frederick Hes
December 2i 1874. The HERALD reporter
up betimes. and with Fathers McIlhenny
and KOCH repaired to the prison. where mass was to
be held. Already the wife and aunt OF McManus'
accompanied by two Old ladies. had arrived ut the
bastile and in conversation with the con-
demned man. There also in the prison the i'm
mediate friends of Jack O'Ne. whose execution was
also fixed for the same hour with McManus. AS l
entered the south wing where the two unhappy men
were confined | found o'Neil in conversation
in the hallway with Esther Koch. johnny
appeared to be in good spirits lie had no coat on.
but pair OF pantaioons and vest. clean
shirt. collar and black neckte. and his face
cleanly shaven. He had yet been advised of his
repreve for thirty days. but evinced no anxiety
to the immediate future. 1t may be said that he
yesterday informed by the HERALD
porter that there good grounds to believe
that Governor Hoyt had looked favor
ably upon the application OF his friends for
arepreve. but he had received any official notice
Of such action. nor had he been informed of the
change by his spiritual advisers. Father Koch said,
Johnny. you look well Where did you get these
good clotles?' He responded. jocularly, "Oh, my
sister bought them for me- amt they pre.tyr And
these shoes amt they nice to walk to tho scat
"But what do you want with new shoes and hat
Cor to-day. Johnny? They won't be of any service
to youY'
II don't know. but want to go out in STYLE" he
respo dod and then giggled like an imbecile.
PREPARING NJ MANUs FOR DEATH.
Walking down toward McManus cell found
Peter walking about in agitated manner his arms
folded, but carrying his head up and mai aintaining
tho deneanor OF who h ID determined to engage
in hazardous undertaking. He took the HERALD
reporter by the hand and remarked that he supposed
the time for saying goodby to all his friends
at hand. To the suggestion that he would not
fail to prove himself brave man at the ex-
treme moment he said Never fear" He
hnued to pace the floor Of his cell while
ONcil wandered about the corridor with the air Of
one who had lost all determination. Soon the heavy
Iron doors swung open. andStwo men approached
carrying somo mysterious package between them.
ONeii started back if shocked by some sudden
apparition or thought and demanded. 'Whats
this?" He Gained by the assurance that the
package contained articles necessary to be used at
the observance of mass, which about to take
place. "Oh, thought it something else, !"
said the affrighted moment later
O'Neil and few OF the friends Of the
and the wife and daughter OF the wardon in
vited into the cell OF McAIanus. whore was to
be saia. As O'Neil entered the doorway Mrs. Nc
Manus began to exhibit signs of great excitement.
bewailing the hour and the occasion in hysterical
demonstrations. and then. spying O'Neil, she OBJ
served in half accusing half remorseful tone:-A
"Oh Johnny! why did you bring that stranger to
our house? Had you not Peter would not have been
in this place now."
There was no response on the part Of ONeil but
Father McIhenny interrupted the sensational cpl
sode. warning tho that the time. place and
occasion did not justify roeriminations. and that
less she dossted she would havo to leave tho cell
during the service of mass. She then throw her.
self beside her husbands cot, and burying her aged
head in the clothing thereof continued to weep Bit
tsrly Mass being over McManus. who had not
or failing OF heart rose and taking a ci-
gar went into the corridor and lit it
stepped back into the CELL but his 'e Cigar went ou
fact that was noticed by spectator. who observed
Nc Janus heard the observation and Immediately
responded. Eyes. that's SO; but am going to have
my smoke before that time anyhow"
o'SKIL NOTIFIED OF HIS REPRIEvE.
Father Koch had repaired to the cell of o'Neil and
anx 70 Th i you TGn' d have to go out to-
Word. but nervously pulled at his mustachc.
The HERALD reporter then stepped up to
sad III low tone. 81 didn't expect ii, although you
told me to hope;' then, calling to Father KOCH he
said. Tell them TO take mo out to the machine.
because don't want to be green" The friends Of
cManus we're permitted, by the request OF Father
Koch. to remain with the men while breakfasting.
The priests ate with Warden Pceler McAianus par
took heartily OF oyster stew. BY an arrangement
with Father McIlhenny the sheriff set tho hour
OF execution at halfpast eleven O'Clock In
the meantime there was manifested upon the
part OF the people of northumberland county n
spirit of disgusting rowdyism. Men who had gained
access TO the prison ON tho shcrin's passes went
aud, porhing themselves in safe POSITIONS cllei
TO tho crowd in the street and In the yard. The
public school building is situated on the street OPP
posite INC yard. but the school had been closed
the day. The gainns, however perched themselves
upon the root and belfry of tho school edhce. l
hn M sinl lf.tgQ
copal Church. looking out from the gallery, we're
tull of women and children. Inside of the Jail
lhcro were seven windows the wardcn's residence
shat looked out upon the yard where tho gallows
was erected, and these were all occupied by what APP
psateu 20 De tnc eitfe ana fashionable female repre-
sentativcs OF the town. For two hours before tne
execution these favored people chsttcred and
langhed The Jail yard, too. filling up with tLe
men who had obtained the coveted tickets
MMASus PARTS FROM MS WIFE
AT ten O'Clock McManus was informed that tho
time had arrived when no must bid fare we'll 10 his
wife and friends. Tho announcement did not secn
to unncrve him, but 1t preciptatcd another OF those
scenes of woe and anguish always attendant upon
such occasions The frantic shreks OF the wife and
aunt could be plainly heard outside the alls OF the
prison. McManns drew his wife to his bosom and
IN trembling tones assured her that he died tho
victim OF circumstaneos he could not control; that
he was innoccnt of the murder of Frederick Hesser
and that the public would yet believe the statement
he had prepared. AS soon us McAIanus had become
somewhat composed the statement made Tues
day by Mcalarus to the Row Mr. Gotwald, Lutheran
munster OF Milton; Father MeIlhenny, OF Milton;
Father Koch. OF shanokin district; Attorney
Dcwart, OF Sunbary. aud his counsel, Grocnouah
and Renn was rc-road to HIM by Mr.. Renn. and
he rcaiirmed its correctness 1t half
past eleven O'Clock The reporters and tho
shcrin's jury had been assigned their places
aud tho sheriff had taken up his position
Mt the iron gate OF the wing leading to the doomed
mans quarters. ready to receive him and his spirit
ual advisers as soon as they should be ready Fii-
teen minutes elapsed. Tho prisoner and priests
rccted the sheriff to to the cell. Finally the
condition Of things was made known to the priests
aud they walked out or the coll 10 meet tho sheriff ut
the entrance 70 the yard
GOING TO sCAFFOLD.
The procession was formed by sheriff Weaver. he
leading with his two deputies; then came Fathers
Koch ami McManus and his confessor, Father Nell.
henny and then squad OF tho Coal and Iron Police.
hcMamns sloppcd firmly Coming to tho stcpa and