The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-09
GONE GLIMMERING
Another MOllie Mcguire Marches
to Meet His Fate,
And Dies Upon the ScaffOld Without the
Usual Speech.
Execution of McManus, the MUIR
derer of HeSser.
EXECUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA.


specials TO the Star.
SUNBURY, PENN, Oct 9.-This was the day
fixed for the execution at this place, which
10 the county seat OF Northumberland Coun-
ty, of Peter McManus and John O'Neil, the
two Mollie Maguires However. in obedi-
ence to a number OF letters from prominent
citizens of Northumberland County, and in
view of the repeated declarations OF Nc
Manus that O'Neil had no part in the muir,
der of Hesser, Governor Hoyt yesterday re-
gpited ONeil until November 9th, leaving
McManus to climb the golden stairs alone.
THE CRIME.
The deed for which these men were SEN
fenced was the murder Of Frederick Hesser,
Coroner of the county and night watchman
at Hickory Swamp Colliery, near Shamo-
kin, on the night OF December 18th, 1874.
Hesser, who was an old man, had made him
self obnoxious to the Mollies. and it seems
that conspiracy was entered into to put
him out of the way.
On the fatal night, while he was attend
ing to his duties at the colliery, and totally
unconscious OF brooding danger, his MUIR
ders stole upon him unawares, and literally
beat him to jelly with a hammer and a
club.
The Mollies were arrested in 1878. At
the trial the principal testimony was given
by Morgan Davis, a fellow miner, who
overheard conversation between them
admitting their connection with the crime,
and Dennis Hanning, recently pardoned
out of the Penitentiary for services he had
rendered the Commonwealth in the trial
Of the Mollies.
Both men have made confessions i'm
plicating others, who are being watched by
the detectives.
They were duly tried and convicted, and
on the Sth of August last Governor Hoyt
signed their death warrants.
Application was made to the Board of
Pardons for ONeil's pardon and commu-
tation of McManus sentence, but on Sep
tember 18th the Board decided that the
men must hang as sentenced. McManus
smiled when he was told by the Sheriff
that he was to be hanged. He is about
forty years of age, with hair as white as
snow. He is not very communicative.
ONeil is young man and rather feeble
minded, and when told Of the fate in store
for him he sniffled like a child He is now
buoyed up by the hope with which his
respite has inspired him, and his fate will
be finally settled by the Board Of Pardons
on the 21st.
SUNBuRY, Pa, Oct. 9-10 A. M.-The
town is crowded with people and train
Of eight cars has just arrived. Both men
rested we'll last night, and when they arose
at o'clock this morning McManus ate
heartily of oyster soup. At N o'clock
high mass was held, at which all their
friends were present At this hour there is
large crowd around the Jail, but none are
admitted except officers, reporters and
friends of the prisoners. McManus will
makea statement from the gallows. He said
last night he would not takes respite, as he
was ready to die.
SuNBURY, Pa, Oct. 9--12 M.-The drop
fell at IL :43. The scene in the Jail yard
vas most exciting. McManus had nothing
to say on the scafIold. His statement is
written out, and will be made public this
evening. The murdered mans sons were
present, and McManus' brother was also in
the crowd