The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-07
M'MANUS AND O'NEIL
THEIR APPROACHING DooM-A PROMISED GAIL
Lows-TREE NEIL TO BE EN-
oNERArED--E EXPORTS IN HIS BEHALF.

THEIR APPROACHING DooM-A PROMISED GAL
Lows-rREE CONFERENCE.-THE TO BIZ EN-
oNERArEp-EFFoRTs IN HIS BEHALF.
lDY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
suSBuRy Pa. Oct. g. 1871
On Thursday. according to the writ OF Governor
Hoyt two Molly Maguires. Peter McManus and John
ONeil are to suffer- in this borough, the penalty of
being convicted of murder in the first degree. The
ar is rife with sensational rumors in connection
with their fate. just preceding the execution OF
Moes at Mauch Chunk. Pottsville. wilkesbarre
and Bloomburg there were grounds
for the belief that the old comrades
Of the doomed men would rally and
attempt rescue. At Mauch Chunk and at Potts
vile the militia were put under arms. but in this
case nothing OF tho kind is anticipated. There will
be imposing display of the military. but the
HERALD correspondent is justified in saying that a
sensation will attend the execution next Thursday.
REVELATION PROMISED.
have been permitted to have interviews with the
men to-day and also with the counsel for the defence
and am warranted in saying that one Of the men
Peter McMapus-is resolved to atone for his past
conduct by making clear not only what he knows of
the murder Of Hessor. but by also revealing
other matters that have been sosreted in
his bosom for years. He will undoubtedly
declare IrOm tuo Schuotu tuas JOIN " Nell
is innocent of participating in the brutal
murder OF Hesser. of which no stands convicted.
but likewise that he had no knowledge before the
net or subsequent thereto. SO far he knows.
Father Koch and couple OF Protestant divines I
am informed have been to Harrisburg to-day to in
tercede for ONeil before the Governor. I havo met
no ono who is willing to proclaim the guilt of
O'Nei while the unanimous expression is of
sorrow that the question of guilt or innocence is
not more clearly defined. District Attorney Dewart
admits that the testimony against ONel is weak in
some particulars, and while III conversation with
the doomed man to-day in the presence OF the
HEnALp correspondent U Neil said to him:-
"Mr Dewart, it is hard to die on the gallows for
crime one is innocent OF, and guess the people
pretty generally satisfied of my innocence"
EYES, responded Mr. Dewart, lit is hard to die IL
you are innocent. and as you say, guess the
jority OF the people in town think you innocent"
EXPORTS SECURE A CoMMuTArIoN.
Nineteen Molly Maguires have suffered the
treme penalty OF the law upon the gallows hereto
FORE and believe that in no single instsnce have
the priesthood interested themselves for commu-
tatiun OF sentence until this case came up In the
Hester McHugh and Tully case, Governor Har-
tranft appealed to by the most men in
northumberland and Columbia counties to reprievc
Pat Hester. The Governor sat up i'll his executive
Office until after midnight to listen to senator VOL
yerton and other friends in behalf OF Hester. The
Governors answer showed how much confidence he
had in the integrity OF Father Koch. Said he eff
Father Koch will advise me by telegraph to repreve
him will do so. Telegram after telegram sent to
Father Koch, but the holy priest would not stultfy
himself The scene the scaffold on that memoir
able occasion justified his defamation In the pres
ent case Father Koch has convinced himself OF the
innocence of O'Neil. and believes that there Is
a reasonable doubt of McManus' guilty participation
in the murder although he admits. understand.
that McManus knew only that Hesser's life was in
danger. Father Koch has been untiring In his
efforts to secure the Intervention Of Governor Hoyts
prerogative.
M'MANUS CELL.
To-day NcManus visited by his wife and uncle.
While Father McIlhenny, the District Attorney and
the HERALD reporter were calling upon him a com.
pany OF visitors put their heads through his cell
door and asked il ball going on. This in
censed him greatly and. strengthening himself up
he said :-rhis is the first time have been nsultcd
since have been in jail" The occurrence excited
him great deal and he would not talk much there
after ONei's sister. Katie, was with him most OF
the time. When arrived he was holding private
conversation with Lutheran minister We were
soon admitted He smiled and shook us warmly by
the hand Almost the first thing he did was to TAKE
down a bran suit OF clothes his sister had pur
chased for him and descant upon their tidyness
But" said he ''what IL the use OF wearing them
/ guess / won't put them that day.
McManus acts and converses sometimes as II de
mented and the general impression is that he is al
lmbecile.