New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-07

GALLONS WITHOUT wAvERING - HIS DEATH
NOT INsrANTANEoUs-THE FUNERAL TO TAKE
PLACE TODAY.
Pietro Balbo, who murdered his wife on the
night of September 80, 1879, yesterday PAID
the penalty of his crime in the courtyard OF
the Tombs. He showed no fear, nor ala ne
WAIVER in the slightest degree. lie passed
Thursday night without sleeping, and spent
most of the time at his devotions. The
funeral will take place to-day.
MEETING HIS DEATH WITHOUT FEAR.
Balbo did not so TO bed at all during Thursday
night. In the morning when he put OH the neat
rui, of black clothes gwen him by the Sisters of
Mercy he said he had then dressed for the last time
nm earth No attention was paid to this remark,
and il was supposed that he would become very
much exhausted about or O'clock in the morn
ING and take a few hours nap; but ne took no
sleep after las a. III. On Thursday.
Daring Thursday night Fathers Duranquet and
Auacltus remained with Dalbo, and did not leave
him alone for moment. About 1880 the condemned
man worked himself up to a pitch OF religious ex-
element that amounted almost to insanity. lie
cried ont in q loud voice q God! have mercy on
me-: 90 Jesus! remember door Balbo"; 30,
good Jesus how could me ever do such thingi"
40 God! have mercy on me-" and used other ex-
press;ons of similar kind His tones we're agonlz-
Ing and it was evident that he was suffering great
w. The priests prayed and talked with him LOT
fully q quarter of hour before they could calm
him. Deputy Sheriff Aaron urged him to lie down
for a little time. saying an hour or two OF sleep
would do him good but he would not listen TO II
for a moment. saying: No, me no sleep; II ME
sleep me wake up every minute frightened, and oh,
80 lonely. Balbo got nobody in this world. No. me
no Sleep About half past l, however, he lay down
SO bod will
Int he did not sleep. little after o'clock he was
again at his prayers and from half past 3 o'clock
until after he walked up and down the corridor
listening to Father Anactus.
At half. past 5 Lawyer Knitting came in, and was
Mt once admitted to Babo's CELL Balbo at once
Jumped up, and extending his hand, said, 20 Mr.
Kin me SO glad to see you; you not forget poor
Balbo." Father Anaclius SAID: "Our poor boy is
behaving very well, and he will go like man to
another and better WORLD Balbo seemed much
affected the tears rushed to his eyes, and for few
minutes he tremblod visibly. He asked the lawyer
81 the coffin was of the kind he wished and all the
funeral arrangements made as he wished and when
Mr. Knitting informed him that everything was
just as he wished he seemed grateful .,.a % hs
At few minutes before u Babo was asked IL ne
was ready TO hear for the last time, ana
he eagerly replied that he ready and anx,
iously waiting Tie little party, consisting OF
Balbo, Fathers Dnranquet and Anaclltus, LAWYER
Kinizng. Deputy Sheriifs Aaron and Daily: Deputy
Warden Finley, and Miss OReilly, sister OF Father
OReily, was soon ready. As baibo passed our OF
the prison door into the courtyard he looked earn
estly at the gaows, which stood out grimly IN the
early morning light. and under which he had to
fear or weakness. During the services Balbo
was very devout and attentive AT the close
Of the a S,b aho w iaera eenued praYng
until Father Anaclljus had to touch him on the
shoulder to inform him that 1t was time TO leave
the cbaeel. Balbo refused to eat anything or to
drink wine, but consented to take cup OF conee
which he wanted very sweet. ~
While this was going on, the deputy sherifiS
arrived under command of Sheriff Bowe and
Under Sheriff Stevens. The arrangements were ex-
celent The doctors Cor1ners Jury ana hepUrters
see all that was done The deputy sherns were
formed in sem-circle just at the entrance OF the
prison and the few who had received cards OF ad-
mission had abundance of room behind the sherlts.
There was no crowd, no disturbance anu no con-
fusion. While tine sherifs were forming IN line the
bapgman and his ASSISTANTS were at work arranging
the ropes and weights on the galIows. ,
Balbo meantime was growing anxious lie asked
Mr.. Knitting two or three times what he thought
kept the sheriff back; he was prepared to die and
ne did not wish to he kept waiting. AT o'clock
the Sheriff went to the cell door to ask if they were
ready for him. Mr. Knitting replied Yes" the
Sheriff and the haugman then entered the CELL ana
Mr. Knitting passed out The death warrant 1 was
read TO Balbo, and then the hangman prepared him
for the gaows. He did not vince or falter 1or q
moment, He asked that the beads be had used
in his devotiOns might he hung around his neck,
and lis crucliix very handsome one, placed IN his
hand. As the line passed out OF the jan Ba, |,
WA ed stpaQllV. "a
crucfx firmly i'll bis hand. His eyes were cast on
the grouad until be neatly reached the gallows.
when he raised them and took quick glance at It.
Then he fell on his knees immediately under the
rome and with the two priests kneellng. one on each
side of him. prayed III firm and audible voice ~
lis native language for four minutes. ne Kissed
the cruc:fx two or three times fervently then
arose and asked that the crucllx mgnt DE placed on
his bosom This done, and he was ready. lie
said not a word to any one, and babe no one good
i've There was hopeful look on his countenance.
and his eyes were turned upwaId as the black cap
was drawn down over his face. Under o1erM que
vens who was standing by Balbos side, with a
large handkerchief folded tightly In his hand,
dropped it, ldng one end between ms myers;
This was the signal to the hangman; In second
the dull tbud of the axe was heard and at S:17
o'clock Babo was ierked about eight feet straight
up in the air. The body fell back about four feet.
and utter insensibility must have been produced
Immediately. In a moment the legs and arms were
pulled up convusivey ana NE 1egi ond tho
body swayed TO and fro, but In two ana nan
minutes all struggling ceased In four minutes the
pulse at the wrist was 100, but 1t steadily weak
ened, and IN six minutes had ceased entirely, and in
sixteen minutes the heart ceased to beat. The ex-
amnaton was K made y PF' F ~ + 0Ben
and W. S. Hardy, the prison physician.
The body was lowered and put III the coffin at $40
When the black cap was removed the face presented
n frightful appearance; the tongue was hanging out
TO it's extreme length, and the eyes protruded lar
or. of their sockets ~.
held an inquest, and rendered the usual verdict OF
death by judicial hanging. When this was inshedthe
body was given IN charge OF MI hihZ,ng III aooviu-
ance with Baibo's request. The coffin was then
brought in and the body placed In It, IL was
made of Imitation rosewood with silver-pla lated
handles, and silver:plated plate ID the shape
of cross, which was inscribed: Retro
Balbo died August 6. 1850, age twenty-three
wears seven months. fourteen days" The coffin was
then carried to the undertakers shop at No. 10
Park-st the show room of which had already been
draped with mourning. 1t was placed on three u'i-
dertakers stools. At it's head was table on winch
were placed a large brazen crucfx and number OF
floral pieces. , ,, :.
Babo is the first Italian that was ever hanged In
<b;a c,tv and h,s neope seem to make his hanging q