New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-19
LETGHTON'S LAST DA Y.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE HANGING.

A CHANGE IN THE CONDEMNED MANS MANNER
HIS vIsIToRs-No HOPE OF A RETRIEVE.
Tho rough wooden galows upon which more than
twenty:murderers have been hanged was erected
again Yesterday in the court OF the City Prison.
Augustus d. Leighton who is to be hanged tins
morning. was sentenced to be hanged with Sindram
on April 81, but Governor Cornell granted
him reprieve for four weeks. on the
ground that he was not in fit condition to die'
Having made this respite, il was Thought by the
counsel and friends OF the prisoner lnao ame HofTr
prisonment for life; but it was found that he would
MOI interfere again and that the sentence OF death
must be fulfilled. The usual preparations were
made in the Tombs yesterday for the execution
The Bridge of Sighs was enveloped Ill heayN
canvas to prevent curious people from seeing the
gallows, which stands near the boys prison.
Sheriff Joel O. stevens appointed the usual number
of deputy-sherifs 10 witness the hanging, and went
to the Iombs at p. In. 10 satisfy himself that the
necessary work had been done.
leighton had been removed on Wednesday from
the cell which he has occupied since he was sen
fenced and placed i'll the hospital cell, as Tar az
possible from the gallows. Ills manner mas Wholly
changed III the last few days. Realizing that he
has no chance of evadng the death penalty,
he has become nervous and unable TO sleep.
de refused yesterday to see any reporter,
and would not talk with any but his most intimate
friends He spent most of the day III company with
the Rev. DR.. Morgan. OF he Church OF the Heavenly
Rest who was Sindran's spiritual adviser. Mis-.
CordOva, a colOred woman, Tor many years ser
want III Peter CoOper's family, who was active III
securing "A new trial and repreve for Leighton,
was in his cell two or three hours, accompanied by
Ace Dillwortb, mulatto TO whom II Is SAID Leigh
ton was engaged 10 be married at the time he muir
dered Mary Dean his mistress. W hen they were
leaving prison Ace Dillworth SAID to "A reporter
of rHE TRIBUNE " lie realizes that he must die, but
he is ready. lie is now prepared lor dedlh- vi
course he would rather be imprisoned Tor years, hut
he is not afraid TO meet his tod" .,,
The two women carried several parcels, BiDle
ana other books which the condemned man had
given them They SAID that the funeral would be
private, and would take place on sunday Colonel
admitted " lie has defended Leighton for nearly
TWO years. said a keeper, and wnen he came to-
day. fully convinced tina his client must die. he
seemed TO ne as much unherved as Leighton NM
self The interview between them was short"
A short time ago in conversation with a reporter
Leighton saiu that he had never known a parent 5
care ana no relatives rave called or MIN since his
imprisonment. Several cOlored persons have made
requests for passes to witness the hanging but
none OF them have Decn granted.
Besides the two col9red women and the Rev. DR..
Morgan Henry f., Merriam, OF No. 5I1
Broadway. Leighton's former employer. two
Morgan were among the condemned mans
visitors Leighton left III the charge
of Deputy-Shenfis bennett and Begg at d p. M. and
While he continued 10 be very nervous he was les,
meditative than ne had been during the day. In
ST al of remaining in has eel inc remained III The COZ
rdor until after midnight when he aie hearty sup
per. lie said that he should not 90 to bed
al all and -quested that Michael McGloln should
be allowed TO sit IN the cOrrldor; but tins was re-
fused Malone the Italian who recently killed his
wife and her mother, wished TO share hands
with Leighton and was permitted to
do So In broken English the Italian
said: God bless you. Pray Tor me tonight"
The sisters of Mercy gave leighton an Agnus Del,
and 40 McGlons suggestion lie suspended II from
his neck
to the condemned man last ngat, and left
him at $50 lie will return this MORN
Ing at o'clock and remain until the SEN
te1ce of death has been executed. Deputy
SbeIifs Maxwell and McEntee viii relieve the
uipht guard At a. aud the hanging viii
probably take place about o'clock. War
den Finn was asked last night if Leigh
ton still sustained any hope of repreye and lie
said: " lie denies that he has any such expectation,
but every criminal does until the moose Is about ms
neck and the cap over his head"
At o'clock TINS morning Leighton was still in
the corridor engaged III conversation with the
watchmen. " hen asked why he did not go to bed
he replied What's the use OF sleeping now T.
The men on duty expressed themselves greatly
relieved By his being out of the cell as the possible
ity of his attempting suicide was greatly eSsened
Soon after making the remark that
there was no in sleeping, Leighton
was sitting at a desk III the corridor
and. dropping his head on the desk. he fell asleep
In few minutes nc awoke and, going to his cell,
went 10 bed