The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-05

during the past few nights. passed his time
very quietly last night. His brother, Michael
Tracy Catholic priest; and Father Dent. o.
him until late this morning His other relatives
called him last evening. Before they left him he
During the night he conversed freely in English and
Latin and appeared to have no fears OF the morrow
He wrote three letters in Arm hand to his brothers
and sisters which he endearngly referred to
them. Mr.. Sheldon persuaded him TO go to bed
about half-past four O'Clock. In two hours and
twenty minutes he arose. apparently refreshed ana
IN cheerful mood
BUSY MORNING.
The most or the morning was consecrated py the
condemned to religious exercises. About eleven a.
NJ. he ndited several letters. the contents of which
that report had been circulated OF attempted sui
cide on his part. and short time before the execu-
ton solemnly averred that he had never contem-
plated selfdestructon. and that the story that he
had endeavored to procure morphine or lauuanum
by sending out piece of paper indicating MS de-
termination false. The doors OF the prison
were thrown open to the persons whom the Sheriff
desired to admit about halfpa twelve O'Clock,
when about sixty entered. The corridor very
dark two burning lamps suspended from the railing
in close proximity to the gallows failing to dispense
the gloom. The execution was to have taken place
at half-past eleven, but unavoidable delays COM
PEELED brief postponement.
MARCH TO THE scAFFoLD.
At twentyseven minutes past twelve p. M. the
jurors were requested to assemble in the Sheriffs
room and soon afterward they ranged themselves
beside the scaffold. A few minutes afterward the
passageway was ordered to be cleared for the solemn
procession and the spectators asked to remove
their hats and not to speak to the prisoner. who had
made the request that he should be addressed by
one. All the preparations for the march the scat
fold having been made the heavy iron door of
Tracys cell was thrown open and the announce
ment made that the fatal moment had arrived. AT
forty minutes past the Sheriff and several depu-
ties descended the iron stops from the third tier
followed by Tracy and three priests, who prayed
uninterruptedly during the long route. the muir
derer distinctly repeating after them and bearing
hsrOcay Under the sows c~ss the CONN Which
Ratchet. with which the Sheriff was to sever the
rope that held the trap of the scafold in position
supplcation to this terrible picture He not only
descended two flights Of steps without exhibiting
any tremulousness but assembled tho scaffod in the
same courageous manner He was seated on a chair
clothed in q black gown. and the priests embraced
him and whispered words OF consolation into his
In o few moments he was requested to rise,
which he did with alacrity. Tho Sheriff then asked
him whether he had any dying declaration to make to
at all to say which received the assent OF Tracy.
The condemned then indicated by Affirmative an
swers to questions put to him by priest that he
had forgiven and now loved all mankind.
PRECfPITATED TO THE GROUND.
The Sheriff and his deputies bound his arms and
legs. using five stout straps for the purpose After
the priests had kissed him and babe him farewell
black placed on his head the priests praying
for divine favor on the condemned At nine min
utes to two the court crer handed large Ratchet to
the Sheriff. who was standing on the platform with
three priests and the next moment he cut the trap
standing opened violently The culprit shot through
the opening like an arrow. The spectators were hor
rlneQ at the scene Wnlcn met their gaze, the
knot having opened and Tracy having been
thrown with great force on the tagged
pavement Of the corridor. For moment
all were dumbfounded by the unexpected accident,
which had almost knocked the life out Of the MUIR
derer. Not word escaped from Tracy's mouth, and
he lay there perfectly helpless. having evidently
been paralyzed His limp body was now gathered
up and raised in the direction of the opening
through which he had fallen. and with the assist
ance of man who stood near on the scaffold he
was put in sitting posture the gallows. The
doors were then placed in position and new rope
brought into requisition, which the Sheriff had
fortunately purchased. Tracy was unable to sup
port himself but. according to of the priests,
he was conscious and in low tone of voice invoked
the mercy of God on himself
KILLED By THE LAW.
Five minutes after the accident the moose again
encircled Tracys neck and in q twinklB the Sheriff
sent the Ratchet through the trap rope penetrating
the wood underneath, and the murderer made his
second involuntary descent this time the satisfac-
ton Of the Sheriff. Tracys neck having been broken.
There were only few slight convulsive movements
OF the body. Five minutes after Tracy's heart was
feeby beating. there was slight futtering. and in
six minutes the pulsations had entirely ceased In
thirteen minutes the body cut down, placed in q
coffin and conveyed to Miss Mary Tracy's residence.
. few hundred yards from the prison. It will be
inferred in the Tracy farm about three miles from
Smethport.
Sheriff Sartwe naturally feels very sorry that the
terrible blunder occurred. He took particular pre-
cautions against any accident, having engaged an
expert in Buffalo, N. Y, who had conducted several
executions to adjust the rope. The Sheriff is not
much to be blamed as the law which sanctions the
humane methods Of destroying life as punishment
for m rf7ar