The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-03-15
HANGMAN'S DAY.
Six 1Iurderers Expiate tller Crimes ON
the Gal.Ows,

Six Murdersrs Expiate thGr Crimes ON
the GaIiows.
BOSTON, March Twill am Fl. Deln was exc
cuted at East Cambridge at 047 ococ this morning
for the murder of his wife and child at lowell,
At twenty minutes past ten Devlin's brotber.in
law John H, Manning, and sister in-aW Mary A,
Manning, retired fom his cell, did alsosis coun-
SELL and Devlin was left alone with his spiritual adj
vser The remaining time before the Officers en-
tered to prepare him for the execution was speat in
earnest devotion, the concluding part Of whichyas
the dying litany, in which the reponses by Dylin
were made clearly and so distinctly that they COLD
be heard considerable distance from his cell. While
this was going on. Sherifs Sprague of Worcester ami
Herrick of Essex entered the corridor with Can't.
Adams, and made thorough inspection of the GAL
lows, which they pronounced Satisfactory in eyerv
respect. A few minutes later the legal Witnesses
headed by Gen, Samuel G. Lawrence, were admitted.
together with several physicians and about se,eny
five spectators. At 1916 Sheriff Fiske, accompanied
by Deputies Mutt of Natick and John Fiske of New
ton proceeded to the cell of Devn, and after being
Informed that he was ready they proceeded to the
scstfold, which but few feet from the CELL the
-her taking position in front of the trap and the
deputies on each side. In the meantime Devlin had
been tally bound by Captain Adams, and at
quarter before eleven O'Clock he came out Of his cell
and walk ed with firm step to the scaffod, stepping
upon the trap without assistance and surveying the
audience without the least tremor. Almost immedi-
atey after he had stepped upon the trap Devn made
the following remarks 81 recommend all my friends
to abstain from rum. Recommend my soul to God
and ask pardon of Him - y
Sheriff Fske then commenced to read the warrant,
and Capt. Adams pinioned Devin's arms and legs.
When the reading of the warrant was nearly COM
MIA tod amt adiusted black
placed the moose around Deviins neck, the rope be-
ing of italian hemp ve-eights of inch in thick
ness. BY the time the warrant was finished every
thing was in readiness, and Sheriff Fiske turning to
Devlin. said, James II. Devln, in pursuance of this
warrant now proceed to execute the same. and
| may God have mercy upon you" As the last word
was uttered Sheriff Fiske touched the spring and the
trap fell at 1885. Devin fell about nine feet and
death must have resulted instantly, as there
movement of his body, not even the usual contrac
ton of the muscles which generally follows an exc
cution. After hanging four minutes the body was
| cut down and delivered to friends.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 14.-Ah Ben, China
man, was hanged at Marysville to day for the MUIR
der of John McDaniels. 1t is believed he committed
several other murders but made no confession.
Eugene Leroy, alias Archie Brown, and James
johnson executed at Portland to-day for the
| murder of Louis Joseph last Augugt. 4
,ais the penalty OF his brutal murder of Me- ns6n
R,rrv at the State PRISON at IL O'Clock Pre-
variations f the lay scene of the trao< were SO
Complete that sen,nce of the law was omptly and
effectiyely fulfu. The unfortunate Ian died with
o,t ~ strnupls. IS neck being brAen between the
eu and foy Vertebr@. gura hundred people,
dcers, physicia,s and representatives of
tho nress ere in attendhce. The usual crowd
sl,ot tb reefs and fontof the prison, attracted by
rnory curiosity but only few who held tickets
"vosoR. VT, March 14.-Henry Gravelin was
led at 2.21p. m.
eavelln protested his innocense till the last as.
! Deng Il have been robbed of my property.
lfurdered and lied Into my gave.'' His death was
instantaneous, his neck being broken by the tall.
Inc remains were taken to Weatherheld and in.
erred In the Protestant cemetery.
The following unique resolutions were passed this
evening by several representatives of the press who
anne here to witness the execution:
Resolved, That, we. representatives of the Amer.
an press, condemn the proceedings which Resulted !
n the execution of, we believe, an innocent man
c-day in Windsor, and deeply regret that a stav
was not secured in Gravelin's case |
That we personally will ever strenousIy oppose |
aplta punishment except in cases where guilt IL an
olutely proved and execution ordered inmediateIy
Signed by members of the New York Boston |
Western and Vermont press.