Morning journal and courier., 1882-08-28
"Chip'' Smiths Last Sunday.
An Interesting Service at the Count
 

An Interesting Service at the County
 Jail.
 If ell those who applied for admission to the services at the county jail yesterday morning were admitted the capacity of the work room where the services were held would have been taxed to the utmost It had been announced in the JOURNAL AND COURIER on Thursday, and afterward in the other city papers, that the admission on the last Sun day "Chip' Smith had in life would be re. stricted to the choir, and as far as possible this intention carried out. It was found impossible however, to restrict the attend apce to these, and Father McGiveny, "Chip's' spiritual adviser, allowed others to enter, the admission in each case being by ticket, and none being allowed in except those who, from connection with the condemned man during his imprisonment, had attained sort of right to be present. The office WAS we'll filled at o'clock, though Father McGiveny had not then arrived, and shortly after those who had access were escorted by Clerk Byxbee to the work room, where the mass was celebrated. Sheriff Byxbee himself was present, and with his son courteously received those who were allowed to enter. It WAS fully half-past eight when 'Chip," escorted by Andrew J. Calla- han of the death watch, entered, and the mass, solemn high one, was begun by Father McGiveny. The full choir from St. Johns church was in attendance, being sup plemented by the presence of Messrs. E. A. Torpay and T. D. Daley of the Wilbur Opera company. The mass sung was Lambilotte's the solos being taken by Miss O'Donnell, Messrs. Howard, Smith, Dunnigan and Harri- son. Mir. Hughes, the organist at St. Johns pre- sided at the organ. At the offertory Miss O'Donnell sang very beautifully and with deep feeling an 4 0e 1Na,3a. Her singing was very acceptable to the condemned man, as to the other unfortunate inmates of the jail who were present at the services. After the mass Father McGiveny made 8 few remarks which from their fervid sym pathy for the condemned wrung tears from many present. He asked for "Chip," as one commissioned on the brink of the grave, for the prayers and sympathy of all present
 Speaking of his own connection with the case as Chips" spiritual adviser, he asked for the prayerful assistance of all present in his duty, and said that were not his post of duty at the scafold he would be far from there on Friday next. Whatever cause for scandal
 had arisen from the young mans crime, or whatever cause for offense had arisen from his conduct before or during his imprison- ment, he hoped would be forgiven, and in the name of the condemned he asked for the forgiveness of all present. He concluded by asking his hearers to join with him in prayer that the condemned would have cour- age to meet his faith, and that to him would be awarded the grace of 8 happy death. After the services many fingered in the office hoping to be allowed a glimpse of the ! criminal, but they were disappointed, as ! none but his immediate relatives were allow ed to speak with him. His mother. uncle brother and several sisters were present at 1 the services and afterward remained with him in the cell. Miss ODonnell, whose sing 1 ing has won the gratitude of ''Chip' as well | as the other inmates of the jail, received a | handsome bouquet from the gardener before she left the premises. On Friday morning, l the day when "Chip" will be executed,a high ! mass will be celebrated at an early hour, but none will be admitted except those whom | duty or necessity causes to be present. The \ singing will be by the same choir who offici- ated yesterday.