Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-05-11
eooD-ByE, MURDERERs.
Ward mccsaksy's Last NERDS Be-
forO
he WAS SWUNG INTO ETERNITY,
He Died the Way Ne lived-A Rrd-
Hearted Wreteh-He Proelaims
Ms innocence 10
the End.

PrrrsBUlsH, May l0.-Hard NeConkey,
one Of the accomplices 70 the Mcclure
murder. perhaps the foulest deed that has
ever disgraced the annals OF local crime,
suffered the highest penalty known 70 the
Law at ll:lS to-day. He MT his death
with fsrtitude which, in the light Of The
best human judgment, was born OF isno.
rance and q renorseless disposition. 1t
may be truly said Of the culprit that 10
died IS he lived. There vas apparently no
fearful looking into the beyond, nor the
least indication OF repentance for the past.
Often asserted innocence was adhered 10 at
the moose end.
How the Night MAS spent.
McConkey retired shortly after O'Clock
this morning. He ate no supper ont slept
soundly until daylight broke upon his cell.
In the words Of the night guard he con.
versed, slept and arose ~ II nothing were
going to happen.
The prisoners life, during his many
months OF solitary confinement, has beena
wasted one. Unlike Frank Small. whose
cell he occupied. NcConkey was unable to
beguile the tedium Of time by indulgence
in literary pursuits. Unable 10 read even
the simplest story books, the condemned
man had nothing TO occupy his mind.
Spiritual advice, although regularly 3D.
ministered by Rev. Donehoo and Chaplain
Spencer, was never sought after by the un-
educated McConkey, whose besettins sin
was perchance an utter disregard OF the
Third Commandment.
The Crime Recalled.
On the night OF Sunday, the 3lst OF
July, 1881, the store Of HendricEson & Nc
Clure, OF Mckeesport, was entered and
$500 worth Of goods stolen. A trace Of the
thieves having been obtained Mr.. A. e.
Mcclure and two constables started out
the following Tuesday TO "Desdman's
Hollow" the scene OF the foul murder.
What is known as the "Hollow" is an al
most impenetrablc mass OF woods q short
distance below Elrods station, about three
miles above Mckeesport. The clue which
was the fact that on the Monday following
the burglary parties were seen unloading
plunder from q freight car at Elrots
station, where il had been temporarily
slowed away. Towards dusk OF the fatal
day the robbers were discovered In . dense
undergrowth from which, tiger.like, they
sprsng upon their prey and opened re
volver fusilade.
Probably Thirty Shets Were Fired.
one OF them taking effect in McClurc's fore
head and killing him instantly, and live
Others riddling his body. Such . tragedy
had not occurred In this county since II
was Wrested from the Indians Among
those most prominently In the shooting
were the wretch who suffered the death
penalty to-day, together with Mig
Lee, Freddy" Baskins and "Heenan"
Lightner. The latter trio have never been
arrested, and are likely 10 cheat the gallows
OF its due. The town OF Mcksesport turned
out en- masse TO hunt the murdercrs. Had
any OF them been caught there In not the
least doubt they would have been strung
up 10 the tree under the shadow OF which
Mcclure met his terrible death. The vic.
tim Of The murderous mob was msn Of
exceptional character, and always stood
high in the COMMIT atty. lie Was In his
thirtieth year, and by his nntimely death
a wife and three bright children were left
10 mourn an irreparable loss.
ON the Trnp.
McConkey ascended the steps leading "a
the trap with q firm measured tread.
smile played over his whole countenanoe
as he looked up TO the blue sky above
him.
Just as he Sc, foo, on the treacherous
trap, the doomed man, In voice distinctly
audible, said
Goodbye, gentlemen. You hang me
Just because | am supposed 10 know some.
thing OF the Mcclure murder and won't
squeal." Rev. Donehoo offered up fer
vent prayer, invoking Divine mercy on
the creature who but the ReIt mo-
ment Was 10 he launched from
time into eternity. McConkey then
shook hands with his clerical counsel. the
sheriff and deputies. Sheriff McCallin ad'
justed the rope. While fixing the noose
The victim said: Don't fix II 20 tight or
Il will choke me-" The last preliminary
was scarcely finished, when the wretch. In
strong. unfaliering tones, bid . final fsre.
well TO the spectators.
"Gssa.Bye - MsrsiessvA."
His Iast words on earth were: Good.
byc. all you murderers." The words hsd
scarcely been said until Ward Mcfonksy
Lnnp NJ The nOOse end.